“We had a beautiful pēpi, ko tōna ingoa Otis Wilbert Kairewa Bakmeedeniya, a name that represents all his whakapapa from Hokianga to Sri Lanka
My birth was incredible. It definitely did not go to plan, in fact almost everything went against plan but I felt empowered and tau most of the time. Afterwards my midwife said she reckons I was very relaxed and calm compared to other māmā she has been with over the years
I had to be induced because baby was big, and spent a couple days in hospital before anything happened. I was feeling a bit deflated because I was so ready for pēpi but on the second night I knew he was about to arrive. The ward was really busy, I started my breathing techniques and did my best to cope with the contractions and told Thari that I needed to see the nurse and get some pain relief like gas. By the time the nurse finally got to me I was 7cm and already in my zone, the tens machine was not helping!
They wheeled me to delivery and I was so happy to see my midwife, who put on my waiata and did some karakia for us. I tried to envision the waves, imagining my pēpi finally getting closer after years of waiting for him. Most of the time during labour I had my eyes closed to focus. My husband was amazing. He helped me to slow my breathing down and was calm and ready the whole time.
Pēpi was okay but I was in quite a bit of pain, so opted for the epidural. After a while he was 10cm but not coming any further so the doc recommended c section. It wasnt what I wanted but I wanted my pēpi to be healthy and okay more than anything so I agreed.
They prepped me for c section and wasn’t expecting how bright and sterile the room was, and also just how many people would be there.
After more drugs and prep, the doctor paused and said, he’s moved, I think you should push instead. I was like what the heck.. how can I push when I can hardly feel at that point?!! It took all my focus
And breath, but somehow I managed to push him out in just a few goes with some help.
So that’s our story of how we got Otis to te ao marama on 2 April 2025
I think one of the best things that Calmbirth helped with was actually prepping my husband. I felt he was so involved, knew what I needed, and prepared because of what we learnt at Calmbirth and that was invaluable!
Most of the māmā from our class have now had their pēpi, just two more to go and we continue to contact each other on whatsapp share birth/mama stories and are planning a meet up once everyone has settled.
Ka nui te mihi ki a koe, nā te whānau bakmeedeniya. Attached pic of our little sri lankan māori boy”
Calmbirth classes are subsidised by Te Toka Tumai Auckland City Hospital you need to go to their website to register with them for eligibility
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