I planned my second home birth at 37 years of
age. We wanted another water birth at home as our first son
Jamie’s birth was a good experience for both my husband and
myself. Finn was due June 17th, as my first pregnancy was 9 days
over due I was hoping Finn would not arrive on my 38th birthday
July 4th.
My pregnancy was different this time. I felt more nausea in the
first trimester, felt lethargic and very tired. This was
probably as I did not get to rest as often with my active 2 year
old son requiring attention as well as running my own business.
Bending over too much to brush my teeth would ensure I brought
up some of my last meal. I felt twinges and nerve pain in my
groin and pelvis in my last trimester as Finn grew heavier they
where uncomfortable and at times sharply painful. During the
last 3 weeks I avoiding driving as Finns head was down and I
found trying to keep my legs close together was difficult.
Preparing my body and mind
I took the antenatal yoga classes I did with my first pregnancy
to refresh myself on the breathing and birthing positions. I
also did some antenatal swim classes which where great – the
water is great for taking the weight off and allowing you to
move freely. This time I had massage and hypnobirthing sessions
as well. They helped relax my muscles and focus my mind. The
hypnobirthing sessions gave me a strong focus to calm my mind
and body which I needed in my speedy full on 40 minute labour.
My hypnobirthing sessions taught me to focus on the word
"release" when I felt a contractions which helped heaps with
Finns labour. I would visualise my body slowly and gently
releasing Finn - was quite a powerful feeling and gave me a lot
of confidence. I slipped into fear thoughts with Jamie's labour
and that made it harder and more painful. Fear = muscles
contract = pain .
Count down to labour June 29th
We had the hired birthing pool set it up and had turned up the
hot water ready to fill the pool. I was 10 days over due and
very ready to go into labour.
Finn was getting heavy sitting on my cervix. It was already
effaced and the mucus plug had come away over the past week.
Finn’s head was engaged so it was really just a matter of him
doing a quarter turn and we where on.
5.50am I felt a graunch in my pelvis as Finn turned his head a
quarter turn and was in the correct position. I clambered out of
bed and went the toilet where I had my first contraction.
Contractions started at 5 minutes apart. I knew it was going to
be fast by the intensity of the first contractions. I had to
really concentrate on my breathing and visualisations to get
them under control.
I went back to bedroom and told my husband Ben that my
contractions had started. He hopped up and went to fill the
birthing pool in our dining room. I told him to call our midwife
Louise and my sister Ruth to look after our 2 and a half year
old son Jamie.
6.10am I started labouring between the bed and the toilet. Jamie
my two and a half year old son woke up and came in to tell me to
come and see the water in the pool. He climbed over my back to
look at my face while I was having a contraction.
6.30am My waters broke on the toilet. Louise (my midwife)
arrived and so did my sister. I was in the bedroom and I yelled
out “he is coming now” and in rushed Ben and Louise. They wedged
the waterproof sheet we had prepared under me just in time.
6.40am Finn arrived in bed while I was on all fours. I only had
a few strong contractions till he surged his way out in three
contractions. His head, then his shoulders and then his
tummy/hips. Ben was there to apply the acupressure technique to
my lower back which knocked off most of the intense
contractions.
Jamie was held by Ruth ( my sister) and was there for Finns
entry into the world. We didn't plan it that way. But I am so
glad he was there. He has been fascinated and protective of Finn
and likes to kiss his head and wants to hold him. He tells Finn
“ you came out of mummy's tummy”
Finn latched on to breast feeding within 10 mins of being born
and I sleeps fairly well.
Jamie and Ben had a swim in the birthing pool later. Being
at home was lovely – all my own things around me. I am recovered
well no tears and healed up quickly.
|
