DIY C-section shocker!

As surgeons set to work, I wanted to get involved...

Carley Valikoula, 36

Watching my boys – Thomas, 5, and Jacob, 3 – playing ‘catch’ around the house, I couldn’t help daydream a few years into the future.

Another little one would make things perfect – maybe a little girl with two protective big brothers...

So when I fell pregnant in June 2016, I was thrilled.

It was also my last chance to see out a dream...

Thomas and Jacob’s births hadn’t gone to plan.

After three days in labour with Thomas, I’d needed an emergency Caesarean section.

I’d been adamant that I wouldn’t end up under the surgeon’s knife again.

Taking control, I planned a calm, peaceful home birth for Jacob in January 2013.

My plans were scuppered again, rushed to hospital for another Caesarean.

The boys both arrived in a tense flurry, and I’d spent weeks recovering.

The magic and beauty of childbirth snatched away from me.

This pregnancy was the happy news we’d been praying for.

In October 2016, we discovered that our little bean was going to be a girl.

The perfect addition to our brood.

After the scan, I told my hubby John, 42, ‘So far, so good.’ He nodded happily. As the months passed, the thought of another delivery in a sterile operating theatre filled me with dread.

But with my history, the odds of a natural birth were low.

Then I remembered a video I’d seen online...

A mum on the surgical table had reached down and pulled her baby out of her open womb herself.

I knew instantly that it was what I wanted to do. I showed John. ‘This might be the closest I’ll get to a natural birth,’ I told him. He wasn’t sure. ‘That doesn’t look safe,’ he said. I asked him to think about it. Meanwhile, I found a private obstetrician who’d do it. And a birth photographer, too – hoping to capture it all.

There was no guarantee it’d go well, but I had to try.

When I told friends my plans, they squirmed. Said they’d never have the courage to do it.

But as a theatre nurse, I wasn’t fazed. Didn’t get squeamish at the thought of blood.

As the weeks passed,

I worked on John, showed him more videos.

Thankfully, he came round in the end, knowing how much it meant to me.

We booked in – and, with me 39 weeks pregnant, we left our home in Karratha, Western Australia, and headed to the local hospital.

A relative watched Thomas and Jacob, awaiting good news.

Everything was planned – but as I was prepped for theatre, the adrenaline kicked in. John could see I was nervous. Helping with my breathing, he calmed me down.

As the anaesthetist gave me a spinal block to numb my lower half, I was handed a pair of long, red surgical gloves.

The nerves melted away, replaced by excitement to meet our baby girl.

John sat beside me as I gripped his hand.

‘We’re going in,’ the doctor said, as he made the incision. ‘I’m all set,’ I replied. I watched the medical team in action... Couldn’t see exactly what they were doing, as the incision was low down.

There was no pain, just pressure around my tummy. Then… ‘Are you ready?’ the midwife asked.

‘Now or never!’ I said, taking a deep breath.

Arms outstretched, my hands were guided down by the doctor and placed under the baby’s arms so I could scoop her out.

Her head and shoulders already poked out of my tummy.

Suddenly, I was gripping my baby, warm and slippery.

So surreal!

She felt tiny as I lifted her up and out, and over my head.

The first person to hold her, to see her.

Absolute magic!

Leilani was born at 8am, weighing 6lb 4oz. ‘You’re just perfect,’ I cooed. Lying her on my chest, I looked over at John.

Tears rolled down his cheeks, setting me off, too. ‘We did it!’ I said. ‘That was incredible,’ he croaked. Doctors didn’t cut the umbilical cord straight away, leaving it for John to do. A first for him, too. As I was sewn up, I cradled Leilani in my arms, then passed her to John. It was so special. That afternoon, John brought the boys to meet their little sister. ‘Wow! She’s so little!’ Thomas squeaked. It was love at first sight. When it was time to go home, I didn’t feel the defeat I’d felt when I had the boys by Caesarean. Instead, I was proud of my personal victory. I hope my story inspires women to strive for the birth they want. If I can pull my baby out with my own hands, I can do anything. And so can you.