Introducing Chloe Mary Burgin

So our little bundle of joy has arrived, early, but here safe and sound!

On Thursday 28 July, I was 36 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I set off for work as usual, however this day was different as I was set to head down to Ballina that afternoon for a long weekend to be with my family for mum's anniversary on 29 July.

I went to work for a couple of hours but also had a hospital appointment that morning. I went to the hospital appointment, unfortunately Shane was unable to attend as he was working. At the appointment the doctor conducted the usual checks but thought the baby was not in the right position, so did a scan to confirm her position. It was discovered that the baby was breech and I was informed that I would have to make a decision whether to try and turn the baby or have a caesarian. I was extremely upset by this and spoke to the doctor about the options. I decided to wait to make the decision until I had discussed it with Shane and my doctor the following Monday.

I told the doctor I was meant to be heading to Ballina for the weekend and she told me that it should be ok but if anything happened I was to contact the local hospital immediately and inform them that the baby was breech.

I left the hospital completely devastated and extremely emotional. Not only had my hopes of having a natural birth started to diminish, I was of course pregnant and mum's anniversary was the next day so I was naturally extremely upset. I spoke with my dad and sister Kirsty who reassured me that everything would be ok. I again was unable to speak with Shane cause he was at work but sent him a message letting him know she was breech.

I went back to work and told my staff what had happened, as I had been 2 hours at the hospital. Half an hour after I returned to work about 11.30am, I went to the photocopier to pick up a form to email to a customer and as I was returning to my desk....I heard a pop and next thing fluid rushed down my leg. Yes, it was that dramatic - movie style waters breaking. I remember saying "Oh shit, I think my waters just broke"! I don't think everyone believed me at first but quickly everyone jumped into action. I refused to move as I didn't want to leak everywhere.

I contacted the hospital and was informed I was to go straight to the hospital. I contacted Shane and then my dad and Kirsty. I remember saying to my staff, "well looks like I am having a caesarian, the decision has been taken out of m hands". One of my staff, Michelle, drove me to the hospital, as Shane's boss wouldn't let him leave straight away (that is a story for another day!)

Just after 12pm I arrived at the hospital and they took me straight to the birthing suite. The baby and I were monitored and then examined. I started having contractions around 12.15pm and they were 3minutes apart. I was informed that they would prep me for surgery and I would be having the caesarian at 2.00pm. The contractions continued but before I knew it I was headed into surgery and being given an epidural. The whole time I kept saying to the staff "I've never been to hospital, can you explain why you are doing that?"

Before too long, at 2.41pm our beautiful little Chloe Mary was born. She is absolutely gorgeous and both Shane and I fell in love with her immediately. She weighed 2.92kg, was 50cm long and 35cm head.

We have had a lot of visitors and support over the last few weeks. Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages, advice, cards and presents to welcome our little girl into the world.

She is almost 3 weeks old now and we are getting into a routine, we could not ask for a more wonderful little girl. We are both so happy and proud of our little girl.