Beautiful Birth Stories

It was a beautifully sunny Saturday in Spring. Everything was bursting into bloom and I, with my huge belly, knew that it was nearly time for the arrival of my baby. We had spent the day in the park with family and my heart was full. My first born, Otto, was almost three and I was soaking up those last few days with just him. As he tired, I gladly took him in my arms and carried him as we headed home. He sat gentle above my bump, his head of bright blonde curls nestled into my neck.

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By late afternoon I felt a heaviness in my bump and a dull ache in my lower back. I was around 39 weeks and wondered if things might be beginning to happen. By early evening I had started to have some gentle surges. I was due to be going out that evening for a friend’s birthday and although I believed I might be in early labour, I also knew that these things take time and since I felt perfectly comfortable I saw no reason to cancel my plans. I headed out for dinner with the girls and continued to contract throughout the evening, much to their amusement! By about 9 O’clock the surges were fairly regular, coming around every 5 minutes. I was still comfortable so finished my meal and enjoyed another hour with my friends before deciding to head home.

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Once home, my surges began to build in intensity and we decided to ring the home birth team. The midwife on call suggested we started to fill the pool and said that they would be with us shortly. I also called my mum, who we had agreed would come to look after Otto. He was fast asleep in bed at the time but as we didn’t know what the night would hold, it was nice to know that he would be taken care of.

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Our home was small but cosy. The birth pool fit snuggly in the centre of the living room, which was dimly lit and filled with calming music. Whilst my husband set up the pool, I laboured instinctively, allowing my hips to circle and sway while I moved between the birth ball and the kitchen, where I used the work tops for support. I was focused in on my breathing, keeping it long and slow and allowing a low-pitched moan to accompany my exhale.

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The midwives arrived shortly after 11pm. I was pleased to see Jodie, who had been twice before as part of my home visits. She was accompanied by Deana who had a warm and reassuring presence. They checked in with my before returning to the car to gather their things. They encouraged me to get into the pool if I wanted to, did some checks on me before settling themselves in the dining room where they read through my birth plan. My mum arrived shortly after and made them some tea.

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I was very clear that I wanted minimal interference. I may have even said I wanted to be left to labour in a dark corner like a cow!! It was definitely my vision. After a medicalised birth with my first baby, I just wanted to be left alone. Jodie and Deana understood and respected my wishes, leaving me to fully surrender to the power of birthing my baby.

The water in the pool was soothing. I found myself kneeling, with my upper body resting on the sides of the pool. My husband ensured I was hydrated by offering me water, which I sipped through a straw, and used counter pressure by rubbing my lower back in a circular motion. The surges continued to become more frequent and more intense. I stayed rooted in my breath and noticed my vocalisations were becoming louder. This must have woken my first child, Otto, who was just upstairs.

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My mum brought Otto down to see me. We had read a lovely collection of children’s books about homebirth to prepare him for this time and he was excited to see me in the pool. In one of the story books, the older brother had a hot cross bun as his mother laboured and so Otto wanted to do the same. He sat on the sofa beside the pool eating his hot cross bun and watching finding nemo while I rested in the water. It was such a gift to have him there and to expose him to the normality of birthing naturally at home.

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Even though I hadn’t had a single vaginal examination, it soon became clear that things were progressing quickly. My mum retreated upstairs with Otto to read some stories allowing me to sink deeper into my zone as the intensity of the sensations continued to build. My body began pushing and I could feel my baby travelling down through my pelvis. As I hit transition, the doubt and fear set in. I could feel my baby moving down but then almost travelling back up again. I now understand that my incredibly intelligent body was gently stretching the skin of the perineum to allow my babies head to pass through, but in that moment, I worried I was doing something wrong. I remember crying out to my midwives ‘It’s not working’.  They gently reassured me, letting me know this was how birth worked and to reminding me to keep trusting and to use my breath because my baby was very close.

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With the next surge, my babies head emerged. I was terrified to move but felt immense relief. I knew now that with the next push my baby would be born. It is quite an amazing thing, that pause while your baby hovers between two worlds…And then just like that, he was there. Born at 2.17am on the day the clocks went forward. I brought him up gently through the water and leaning back, held him on my chest. In that moment, we didn’t know if we had a boy or a girl. Held by my husband, I held my baby in my arms and caught my breath. A little check and we discovered we had another son. I was so excited for Otto! I couldn’t wait for him to meet his little brother.

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Hearing the new baby make his entrance, my mum came back downstairs bringing Otto with her. It was the most beautiful moment, to have all those I loved most there to welcome our new son. I was on an Oxytocin high, so full of love and in complete awe of my new baby and my incredible body. Within 30 minutes, while cuddling my baby in the pool, I birthed the placenta.

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I had a small tear but was reassured that it would heal naturally. My baby was already feeding well and so with everyone happy, Deana & Jodie packed up and said their goodbyes. By 4.30 we were in bed together, nestled as a family for a few hours rest after such a special night.

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It took a long time to come down from the high of giving birth. I felt so powerful, so strong, so capable. This is how birth is meant to leave you feeling. And I hope that you get that too.

Zara x