Birth story - Natalie and baby Beatrix

On 2nd October I woke up at 2.30am because my 3 year old had woken up and called me, asking for a drink. When I stood up I felt some wetness so checked it out and it was a bit of blood streaked ‘show,’ which I was pleased about because I knew it was a sign things might be happening soon (I had also been loosing little bits of plug and having lots of Braxton Hicks in the days leading up to it).

After sorting out my 3 year old I got back in bed and had my first surge. It felt different to the ‘practice’ ones I’d been having on and off for weeks so I thought that it could be the start of labour. After an hour I realised I had had 4 surges, around every 15 mins. I told my husband that I thought things were starting, and he couldn’t get back to sleep so he went downstairs to watch TV at about 4am while I tried to rest in case I had a long day/night ahead (my first daughters labour and birth was very long and exhausting so wanted to make sure I was as rested as possible this time).

The surges were coming more regularly and getting more powerful so I didn’t go back to sleep, and instead listened to some relaxing music, timed the contractions and sniffed some clary sage and of course, did my up breathing!

By about 5am the surges were more powerful, around every 3 mins and lasting 40 seconds to minute. My husband got the Tens machine ready (which I’m not sure helped but provided a good distraction and was worth a try) for me and I watched friends for a bit, which helped me stay calm. I still thought it would be a while!!

I went to wake my mum at about 5am, she was staying with us because my mother in law (who lives about 25 mins from us) was unavailable Tuesday for childcare in case I went into labour. I am so glad my mum was staying!!!

I excitedly told her that things were happening and that I’d let her know if/when we were leaving for the hospital so she could listen out for my daughter.

Suddenly the surges were really intense, not much break in between so I called the hospital who advised us to come in and be checked. They said I could take some paracetamol, so at 6am I took 2 paracetamol and then my husband and I made the 20 min drive to the hospital.

By this point I was struggling to move anywhere, having to stop every couple of minutes for each surge which I could only manage leaning on something or hugging my husband. So getting to the car was a struggle. My husband was encouraging me to move (hurry up!) but I could only move really slowly!

I put my relaxing music on in the car and tried to stay in the zone, using up breathing and the tens, but the surges were becoming really powerful and I was finding myself screaming out loud a bit.

Looking back, I think I may have got to ‘transition’ in the car because I suddenly switched off the spa music as it began to annoy me. I also announced to my husband that I might ask for an epidural on arrival at the hospital... I was having a wobble!!

When we got to the hospital I slowly managed to walk to triage and then bent over a chair when my waters broke with a big gush and I shouted ‘I think something is happening’ as I felt the baby drop down and lots of pressure in my bum!!!

Two midwives quickly wheeled me into the room, the pool was available which I was pleased about, but then I learned there was no time...! Baby was on its way.

I was down on all fours on a bean bag and had the urge to push. The midwives told me to go with it, but I had to turn around so they could listen in to baby. I asked for some gas & air, but there was no time for that, with the next couple of contractions her head was delivered.

At this point, suddenly there was more of a break and my mind and body had a chance to quickly recover and I remembered my ‘down breathing’. With the next contraction and some down breathing I felt my baby slide out, it was the most amazing feeling.

So from leaving my house at 6am, baby was born at 6.55am! And all with just the Tens and two paracetamol. Very different to my first baby’s birth!

It wasn’t without a bit of drama through. Unfortunately the cord was very short and when she was handed to me to go onto my chest it snapped!! So no delayed cord clamping was possible, and the midwives couldn’t be sure how much blood she may have lost so a check with the paediatrician was needed. Apparently it’s very rare for that to happen and the midwives had never experienced that before.

As the cord had been snapped at birth, I accepted the injection to deliver the placenta. I wanted to make sure it was all ok and after such a fast delivery I didn’t want to wait for natural delivery of the placenta.

We had loads of skin to skin and a beautiful golden few hours! I had a small graze and tear but no stitches were needed.

All baby checks were all fine, And we were home by lunchtime to introduce the baby to her big sister!

I honestly cannot believe the speed of it all, and that my body did what it did. And I believe that the digital pack is what helped me have such a positive experience. For me and my birth partner it was a total game changer.

It’s also really made me proud of my first babies birth, which I had previously thought of as a failure, but can now look back on more positively (I just wish I’d had the tools from the course back then to help me through it).

Thank you Positive Birth Company! Xxx