Birth story - Hannah and baby Autumn

I went into labour in the early hours the day before my due date. My contractions were manageable with a Tens machine and the up breathing techniques I learnt through hyponobirthing.

After 2 and a half days of on and off contractions, I had a vaginal check to find out I was finally 8cm dilated. I got back into the birth pool and my midwife finally gave me gas and air. I felt a pressure building in my bottom and the fetal ejection reflex kicked in. Autumn came down the birth canal in 2 contractions, and was birthed completely in 1 contraction. My midwife told me to take it slow as to avoid injury, but the reflex was so powerful and primal I couldn't stop it.

I used an Aniball and perineal massage to prepare my body for labour which payed off as I didn't have even a graze from the labour. My partner was in the pool with me and brought Autumn up through the water and to my chest for skin to skin. The first thing I thought when I held her was how unbelievably soft her skin was.

We had skin to skin for a while in the pool then on the sofa. Autumn did the breast crawl on my chest and soon got a good latch. We left the placenta attached for around an hour so Autumn could take in all the goodness from it. About 2 hours post birth, we were all tucked up in bed eating a Chinese.

The birth was magical, hard work, primal and empowering. I am so thankful for my midwife for honouring my wishes and choices, and for my partner for advocating for me. I will certainly have another home birth and would encourage every pregnant person to learn hyponobirthing so they know the choices available to them and how their body works.