Birth story - Juliet and baby girl

We declined a sweep at 40+4 knowing she would come when she was ready and this was still a normal time frame.

We’d organised a ‘practice’ sleepover for my 3 year old on Friday evening so she was already cared for, and I found myself feeling moody and antisocial not wanting to go to a Christmas party. Rather than force myself I listened to my body recognising this could be me wanting to get into my cave 🙂

So I spent the evening relaxing and sure enough at 7pm mild regular cramps began every 7-10 mins. We had dinner and watched a film and before the film was over decided it would be best to start transforming the playroom into birth pool room with affirmation bunting, soft lighting, aromatherapy diffuser etc 🙂

We then tried to go to bed for a rest but at this point surges were coming regularly and couldn’t be talked or slept through so I let hubby sleep and went back downstairs to relax to positive affirmations on my ball (UFO) I soon found I was most comfortable standing so stayed standing for the rest of my labour until the pool! I let hubby sleep until about midnight when stood in the shower surges were coming every 3-4 minutes lasting 50-60s and I found I then needed him to talk me through them to override the inner monologue of ‘can I do this, they’re getting more intense which was happening at their peak. I found I was breathing more rapidly but his voice calmed and guided me and we did this for another hour or so. I always managed to get back to green between them which is key 🙂

By then the midwife had arrived and examined me - a point which triggered my transition and was quite uncomfortable, she suggested I go straight in the pool which had just been run, and on entering the pool at about 2am, I found my body started to push. Such a bizarre and powerful feeling, which the digital pack debunked for me - I think otherwise I would have felt quite panicked and out of control at this point.

However within about 20-30 mins of close surges and involuntary pushing with all sorts of animal noises (so glad 3 yo wasn’t asleep upstairs!) she kneaded her way out and came straight to the breast. This really helped manage a natural third stage and 10 mins later the placenta was out too with minimal blood loss. We then went to the sofa for a golden hour of skin to skin and feeding.

My midwife was amazing, read my preferences on arrival and just observed me for a couple of surges - then explained an examination would be helpful to guide if she would stay or go or call a second midwife if close to birthing as it was hard to tell where we were with how well I was doing.

My husband was amazing too and the digital pack really prepared him to set up the house just as we wanted (the pool and cosy lounge space) and to be by my side reassuring me once I couldn’t do it alone.

What an absolutely amazing experience, still can’t believe it. All in all 7 hours with 4 hours of established labour and about 30 minutes of 2nd stage. 8lb15 baby! Home births are definitely the way to go 🏠👶🏻

Thanks to the PBC for giving me the understanding and confidence to listen to my body and have the most amazing second birth experience.