General News
15 May, 2023
Bundle of joy for Samantha
Samantha Matthews won't be taking breakfast in bed to her Mum this Mother's Day - instead, the roles will be reversed as she celebrates for the first time with her newborn. The new mum is overjoyed, after her journey to motherhood began in an...
Samantha Matthews won't be taking breakfast in bed to her Mum this Mother's Day - instead, the roles will be reversed as she celebrates for the first time with her newborn.
The new mum is overjoyed, after her journey to motherhood began in an unusual way.
She gave birth to little Hugo on April 15 at the Wimmera Base Hospital.
“It was a kind of feeling I'd never had before – a moment worth waiting for,” she said.
The Horsham Special School teacher used donated sperm and underwent a procedure known as intrauterine insemination to have her first child.
“I’ve done it on my own,” she said.
“I was getting older and being a mum was something I’d always wanted to do before I got too old."
However, when Samantha went through labour in Horsham, her own mother was by her side.
“My waters broke early on the Friday morning so my parents came up from Balmoral and spent seven days with me,” she said.
“My mum was there with me in the hospital at the time of delivery.
“It was a surprise for me to give birth to a boy as I'd thought during my pregnancy that the baby was going to be a girl."
Ms Matthews compared her pregnancy to a rollercoaster of emotions.
“The whole nine months were like that for me," she said.
"I wasn’t liking the waiting process as I’m not a good patient waiter.
“I think getting organised was the hardest thing in those months but my friends and work colleagues helped me out whenever I needed something and with any kind of support.
“The best feeling was when I would feel his movements inside my womb."
Samantha said she hoped hearing her story might help other people to understand the significance of Mother’s Day.
“This day is to celebrate and appreciate our mums and what they do for us," she said.
"I know I’d be lost without my mum.”
This Mother’s Day, she will take baby Hugo to visit her mother.
“I’m heading to my parents' place in Balmoral for Mother’s Day to spend it with them," Samantha said.
“I make my mum breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day – this year I expect the same from her.
“One of my nephews will be there at my mother’s on the day as well and I think he might do something for me.
“I always go to Mum’s on Mother’s Day. I remember I used to make special cards for my mum during my school days.”
Samantha said she had adjusted to having sleepless nights after Hugo's birth.
“Since he was born I just sleep when he does," she said. "I often just have a rest on the couch in between getting things done.
“I’m doing some retail therapy nowadays at Kmart and Target.
"My priority is Hugo, so I'm getting things for him like nappies, wipes and other stuff.
“I just want him to be happy and healthy.”
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