I AM NOT A BOX TO BE TICKED...

I am not a medical form, or a process. A risk or an inconvenience. A window in your schedule.

When I question or ask it is not because I am being difficult or precious.

I am not ‘your lady’.

I did not come in because I wanted to waste time, or that I had nothing better to do. Or that I am a ‘silly’ first time mum.

I have not ‘failed’ or ‘stalled’ and while I am working with my baby to birth I do not need you to tell me to ‘work harder’ or ‘push properly’ or ‘get angry’.

This journey I take marks me as an individual, deserving of kindness and respect.

Don’t make a judgement about me because of my colour, or size or age or language or how hard I had to work to get pregnant.

This may be the biggest event or achievement of my life. This may be a repeat journey.

But it is mine. I am a human. With thoughts and feelings and emotions.

I am trusting you and your experience, your emotional intelligence as well as the data.

You may forget about me after today, but you will remain with me for a lifetime. I am not just a box to be ticked. A process or a swift decision.

Please remember that.