Antonia Kidman talks about Sybella's birth and having her older daughter present
In this week’s issue of Australian magazine, New Idea, columnist and celebrity mother Antonia Kidman returns from maternity leave and talks about the birth of her fourth child and having her eldest daughter present. Antonia and husband, Angus Hawley welcomed fourth child, Sybella Ann, on March 28th. She is a sister for Lucia, 8, Hamish "Hamey", 5, and James, 3 1/2.
Sybella was a few days early but everything seemed to go according to plan. The little girl was born in the presence of her loved ones; father, grandmother, grandfather and Lucia.
I asked Lucia beforehand if she’d like to come to the hospital to see the birth of her sibling. It was something she was very keen to be a part of. As I have a fairly cautious nature, I didn’t build up the occasion too much in case something happened that meant it might be better if she stayed home. It was decided the boys were a little too young – the idea of three or even two children present during a painful labor was a little too much to bear. Lucia, as the oldest and without the distraction of her brothers, would hopefully absorb and enjoy the experience.
As it turned out, I need not have worried. The whole thing went according to plan. I went into labor one day early and, as my last two pregnancies were both a week overdue, her timely arrival was quite a surprise. At the first signs of labor we headed across Sydney to the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, where all of our children have been born. My labors so far have all been fairly short and intense and this one proved no different. It was all over within a couple of hours, and Sybella Ann Kidman Hawley was born in the presence of her father, grandmother, grandfather and doting sister.
Having Lucia there was not only a wonderful experience for the two new sisters but also for Lucia and Antonia, as mother and daughter.
Having my daughter there to watch her sister come into this word was such a wonderful moment and hopefully it was a bonding experience for the girls themselves. One of the most beautiful parts of the whole occasion happened just after Sybella was born. Lucia was sitting up near my head and she was stroking my forehead, comforting me. It’s not often a daughter comforts her mother, but this was one such time and it will be forever in my memory.
Lucia being at the birth has also had a profound effect on the relationship that she has with her new sister.
Three months down the track and Lucia’s connection to her little sister grows stronger every day. From those first moments of Sybella’s life in the delivery suite when she held and helped bathe her baby sister, Lucia has been reluctant to give Sybella up. In fact, prising her away from her older sister can be quite a challenge. Lucia has definitely placed first dibs on Sybella and at times I’ve had to schedule time for the boys to spend with their sister when Lucia’s not around.
Source: New Idea, July 22nd.
Scan by Nicole Kidman United
