Birth story - Rosie and baby Ivy

*Trigger warning* - Language - contractions

PREGNANCY:

I was very lucky throughout my pregnancy. We had an extra growth scan at 38 weeks but all was well. After convincing myself I’d still be pregnant at 42 weeks she came as a lovely surprise at 39+4. We certainly hadn’t planned a home birth from the start, in fact I remember an early midwife appt where the idea of a home birth was floated about if I was low risk and I laughed and said, no way… we’ll be going to hospital! Well our mindset completely changed thanks to PBC.

LABOUR:

On the Friday before her being born on the Sunday, I’d had a wonderful pregnancy massage in the afternoon and then by the evening I had constant period type cramps but they were not coming and going. I wasn’t convinced this was the start. I woke Saturday morning and they had stopped but at lunch time I had my bloody show. Then cramps started again around 9PM. I had a bath with candles and listened to PBC affirmations and we started to time them. My husband set about blowing up the pool. I soon had to use my TENS machine which worried me that I wouldn’t then be able to cope as things progressed but I kept up the breathing and along with the tens machine things were manageable! We put on stand up comedy shows which really made me laugh in between contractions. I used the birth ball to lean over and lit every candle in the house along with burning lavender and clary sage. I had lavender on a flannel too.

We called my mum around 3AM as she was birth partner also and we continued to watch comedy together. At 5AM the Freya App told us I was in established labour so a midwife came out to see us. Being at home for this reason was just magic, I didn’t have to worry about an uncomfortable drive to hospital and I was examined in my bedroom. I strongly believe this kept me calm and relaxed and meant things progressed the way they did I was only 2cm on examination but the midwife was so reassuring and was happy my cervix was thinning out so I was on my way which made me feel better. She left and things quickly ramped up! By 7.30AM my husband was back on the phone as the contractions were coming faster and stronger. I stayed in my bed leaning up against the headboard on my knees which I found most comfortable. By 8.30AM we had the day team midwife & a student out to us who really respected my space, spoke in whispers and just made me feel so safe and supported. I had another examination where I was so nearly 4cm.. she gave me a sweep and said ‘right I can stay now!’ I think my husband and mum were most relived they would be staying! I was on the gas and air from 4cm soon after the examination and stayed on my knees in that position in bed for a while then I was able to get in the pool around 10AM (I think) which was bliss!!

I’m not 100% on timings now but I was certainly making some weird and wonderful sounds and around 12.30PM felt the need to push. Then the gas and air ran out….! I’ve been told since everyone panicked a bit for me as the other midwife hadn’t left hospital yet but I was unaware of all of that, kept my eyes closed and just breathed! Hard! There was nothing I could do about that, except grip my husbands hand a little tighter. Even though I was saying I couldn’t do it anymore, I knew this meant I was transitioning and therefore close. I distinctly remember the midwife saying this bit was the hardest and soon we’d be pushing and she assured me that was easier - she was right.

I was asked to get out of the pool to be examined and we moved onto the sofa. I was fully dilated and didn’t feel like I could move back to the pool as I found it comfortable again being on my knees leaning over the sofa. Unfortunately for my newly renovated lounge it meant my mum and husband were frantically running around putting towels down to save the brand new carpet The urge to push took over. This was a very intense feeling of pressure rather than pain and I don’t remember any ‘ring of fire’ but I did have to really listen to the midwives who coached the pushing stage. I felt exhausted at times and did wonder if I had enough strength left but trust me, you find the strength and what felt like hours was only 12 minutes of pushing.

The midwives did a wonderful job at being firm but fair with me. I did hear the words ‘ambulance’ a few times whilst pushing but I reminded myself I knew this was a precaution for home births. We didn’t get delayed cord clamping as she did come out a bit blue but within seconds she was crying and passed to me. The third midwife turned up 5 minutes after she was born and I was about to be given the injection for placenta but heard the midwife say ‘never mind it’s there, one small push Rosie’ and it was out! My husband had skin to skin whilst I was checked for tears. The midwives were almost high fiving themselves and in disbelief that I had no tears at all

I do feel very lucky to have had such a positive birth but I don’t believe it was all luck. I did everything I could to prepare myself. The PBC changed our mindset on labour and birth and I went into it positively and excited. Being at home really worked for us as I was so relaxed. Especially in those early stages. I also used the Aniball briefly from 38 weeks - I don’t know if this helped with the lack of tearing. Breathing, being UFO, not having to leave home, use of pool, essential oils, lights, all together without a doubt helped labour progress.

Don’t under estimate how important reading positive birth stories is too, I read them everyday and whenever I had a wobble I would remind myself ‘there’s no reason I can’t be one of those stories..!’

We all feel hugely grateful for such a positive experience.