Lara’s Home Birth

At 4:43am I felt uncomfortable from my sleep (standard), and rolled myself over from my right to left in bed. I then heard the oddest noise – no joke, the sound was what you hear as the bath or sink has almost emptied itself. I thought, gosh, I know my tummy often growls at me, but that sound was more like a drain unblocking. As soon as the sound stopped, I felt a trickle down my leg. Initially, I thought “eww,” and then it happened again. Still half asleep, my eyes widened as I thought, “omg this is it – my waters have ruptured.”

I instantly felt excited and checked myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. My hand was covered in clear liquid (“yep, that’s not normal,” I thought to myself). Now slightly panicked, I thought I’m going to make a mess, so I shouted Mark, as I now felt stuck on my left side, facing the wall. I knew if I tensed my tummy muscles, I might make a big whoosh – as that’s how my waters broke with my son 16 years ago.

Mark doesn’t wake for anything but his alarm, so I thought, okay I’ve shouted out for him several times now – I’ll just wait till his alarm goes off at around 5am. I then told myself off and decided if I wanted him to wake, I was going to have to kick him. So I carried on shouting for him and kicked back – to which hooray, we got him to wake.

“Uhhh, yes what is it?”
“Can you please go and grab me a towel?”
“Okay, yeah, why?”
“Because I believe my waters have broken.”

To which he then got excited too and ran off to get me a towel.

We then had a quick discussion on what the plan was, as if all went to plan, this was going to be our first go at a home birth. And the birthing pool wasn’t even out – we never did attempt to fill it to see how long it took. Yikes 😬. It was Christmas Eve and Mark only had half a day (4 hours) to work, so I told him yes, my waters have broken, but that’s it – there’s no contractions. I ended up being induced with my son last time, so I knew it could take a long time, although I was optimistic something would happen this time.

I told Mark to get himself to work, and I promised to call if things started happening. I already knew the midwives had told me not to ring until I was having two contractions within 10 minutes.

So, Mark went to work and I got myself in a nice hot bath and focused on positive thinking and relaxing to promote lots of oxytocin and bring on these contractions. I never really got to experience the contractions last time, so this was something I was oddly looking forward to. I had an odd sensation two or three times – like a hard clench in my stomach – but to start with there was an hour between them, then half an hour. At around 7am, I felt like my positivity triggered the contractions. I was recording them in notes on my phone. The only thing I forgot to do was record how long they were as well – that was a question I got asked on the phone later on.

So, I started having these cramping, tight feelings roughly every 5 minutes, although every third or fourth contraction took longer, which I think threw me off a little on when I should contact the midwife and get Mark back here. I put on my favourite happy music – Jack Johnson – and I sang to the baby to distract and calm them.

Mark only got two hours into work… I thought I could hold off, but I decided things seemed to be progressing fast and I didn’t want to risk having the baby alone. So, we were now verging on almost three contractions within 10 minutes. I rang Mark just after 8am and he said, “I’m on my way right now – just need to stop at the shop and get you some salt and vinegar McCoy’s,” as requested – my favourite pregnancy craving.

It was quite annoying in the bath – I kept needing to get out for a wee continuously, and although I kept topping up the hot water, eventually at around 9am I had a really intense contraction that lasted 5 minutes. It was really tough and I wanted to be with Mark more than the bath, as he was rushing around downstairs sorting the dog out, breakfast, sticking her in the garden, and blowing up and filling the birthing pool.

So I got out. I decided I wasn’t happy to be naked but wanted to feel unrestricted, so I just chucked on some underwear and a kaftan. It took me a long time to get downstairs because the contractions had become a lot more intense, and in all honesty, a bit much for me – I wanted Mark.

I tried sitting on the yoga ball, but I was too unstable when I had a contraction, so I chose to kneel on the floor and sway whilst leaning on the yoga ball. I had an intense contraction and told Mark I was going to be sick – the pain was just that crazy.

The midwife turned up at around 10:30am. Mark knew it was getting a little much, so started rubbing my back and applying pressure on my lower back during contractions, which was a fantastic distraction – until the pain intensified. Then Mark reminded me of the wooden comb from Amy’s hypnobirthing classes, so that was my next distraction for every contraction.

The midwife asked a few times to do an examination to check my waters had broken, but I kept putting it off, as I knew they had. I was far too hot, so Mark fired the air con up and aimed it at me, which was great – although the midwife did say, “That’s fine while you’re in labour, but as soon as the baby is here it must get turned off, as baby will get too cold too quickly.”

The midwife then said she was going to head off after this next hour of monitoring me (at 12), as I guess she didn’t think the labour was progressing. I was quite shocked at that, as the contractions were just about tolerable – they were becoming closer together and more intense.

The temperature in the birthing pool was too hot and it was now too full. Trying to cool it down, I remember Mark and Ellie (the midwife) rushing in and out of the living room with a jug and saucepan, removing the water so Mark could put in some more cold. The pain was intense, and I kept being reminded to relax my face during contractions. I said, “I’m doing okay but the pain is only just about manageable.” She said, “Well I’ve got gas and air in the car, and you could try getting in the pool now it’s ready.” I said, “Sounds good.” She said, “Which one?” I said, “Both!”

Now in the pool, I felt quite calm. After being reminded to relax during a contraction, she specifically said, “Relax your shoulders,” which made me let go of the handles on the pool. I slid off the seat in the birthing pool, my legs came up to the surface as I almost dunked my face in the water – which I found hilarious and a great distraction, as Mark frantically ran over to me.

Originally, I thought it was the gas and air that made me sick with my firstborn, but after throwing up twice now just from painful contractions, I thought I’d give it a go. I’d just been given gas and air. I literally had my first contraction with it and turned to Mark and said, “Wow this is some good sh*t.” The contractions were coming in more intense again, and once I got into a rhythm with the gas and air, they became faster and faster – it most certainly helped relax me, for sure.

I said, “Do you have to go?” and the midwife said, “You’re stuck with me now, I’m not going anywhere.” She was in and out of the living room like a yo-yo, trying to get hold of a second midwife. I remember whispering to Mark, “That means it’ll be soon.” It was about 1pm at this point, I reckon. I was getting so excited and emotional.

I suddenly felt the urge to push and Ellie asked me to ignore the urge until I just couldn’t bear it any longer. I somehow zoned in and fought my body’s urge, which felt so empowering – only for what I believe was three contractions, funnily enough. Then the midwife said, “I can see her now. Would you like to feel the top of her head?” To which I did, and then Ellie said, “Just let your body do its thing now, Lara – push!”

Pain disappeared as excitement took over. On the next contraction, I was like… you’ve got this – you’re going to see her real soon. So motivated, I pushed. On the third or fourth contraction we could all see her head. I then got asked to push more into my bottom. And out she came on the next push. I was supposed to catch her but for a brief second I panicked, even though I knew she was fine. Seeing her curled up in a little ball, looking grey, plus the fact I think I wanted a second for relief from what I’d just done – anyway, next thing I know, Ellie has placed baby Piper on my chest and I was overjoyed and overwhelmed with how amazing the labour had been.

Ellie put a monitor on Piper to check her, as she wasn’t happy that she wouldn’t cry. I wasn’t worried – I knew nothing was wrong. Piper was just sleepy and chilled out from her relaxing entrance to the world. I cut her cord quicker than I would have liked to, as the midwife still wasn’t happy, and after making her cry, she was happy and passed her to her daddy for skin-to-skin, so I could deliver the placenta. I had already got on to all fours. The second midwife arrived.

I never received the injection, although I was shocked to find out 45 minutes had gone by, and I did feel I was losing the contractions. They suggested I try to go for a wee. Although it was a little tricky getting out of the pool and to the loo, as soon as I tried, it was out. The midwives were fantastic at cleaning up and helping me around my home. I finally got to sit on the sofa and experience my first breastfeed. What an incredible experience – I was so happy.

Now I just want to make it clear – I would have never even contemplated a home birth if it wasn’t for Amy’s hypnobirthing course. She inspired me and made it seem just as much a choice as the JR or Horton. And for me, the pros most certainly outweighed the concerns. I’m so happy with my decision – it was so special and just perfect really. Most definitely one of the best experiences of my life!