My Homebirth

My first birth with Big E was an induction at 13 days over and I ended up with an epidural and forceps delivery, not at all like the natural delivery I had wanted. I was determined to do things differently the second time round so opted for a homebirth. My midwife was supportive and at my first antenatal appointment I said to my midwife that I would probably go overdue so I wanted to be 6 days over so baby arrived on 08/08/08!

Friday 8^th August (08/08/08!!!), 40+6, got up at 1am to deal with my grumpy toddler and had my first 'real contraction'. They were coming every 4 mins or so but still talkable through so I knew it would probably be a while. I was not comfy lying down so I got up and husband started to fill the pool (using a hose attached to the hot tap in the kitchen.

Pool in the dining room....!

I put my TENS on at this point which was really good, not sure if it actually provided much pain relief but it certainly provided a great distraction! The contractions got more regular and intense over the next few hours; I couldn't bear to sit down so stood the whole time, swinging from the end of the stairs wiggling my hips through the contractions. I really didn't want to be around anyone so I was left to it! 

We called the on-call midwife at 4.00am and she arrived at 4.30am. She just sat quietly and observed and started writing up notes as I wanted as hands off approach as possible. At 5am we called my Mum so she would be here when Big E woke, normally at 5.30am ish. 

Sometime in the next hour or so my waters started to go and the contractions were coming one on top of each other lasting for over a minute. I ended up in the en-suite bathroom standing on a towel as with each contraction more water was leaking, yuk! I was examined as soon as my waters had broken as baby was not engaged, just sitting at the brim of my pelvis so the midwife had to check for cord prolapse. I was only 4-5cm but within about an hour I was really feeling different. From this point on I don't think I had my eyes open for longer than 5 mins in total, I really was in a 'zone'! One of my vivid memories at this point is opening my eyes looking in to the back garden only to see a wee blue tit eating my raspberries!! 

I started to feel like I needed to push so knew baby would be here soon. My midwife said that if I wanted a water birth I should really get in to the pool so I had to make my way down stairs to the dining room. Getting down the stairs was the worst part of the whole experience, I think it took me about 10 mins to get down the stairs as I had to keep stopping for contractions! Not advisable to go upstairs to labour then have to get downstairs to deliver!! When I eventually got in the pool the relief was amazing for about 15 mins, then as the urge to push got stronger I felt less and less in control in the water so decided I should just get out (easier said than done, think beached whale...!). 

The second midwife had arrived by then. It was her 60^th birthday and last homebirth before retirement so the first midwife was going to let her deliver even though it was normally the first on call who got the fun job! When I eventually got out of the pool I was examined, fully dilated as expected, phew! This was at about 8am ish. Big E had woken up at 7.30am (trust him to have a lie in when we couldn't!) and apparently thought the noises mummy was making were hilarious! I was not in distress at all so I wasn't fussed that he was in the house if husband and Mum thought he was ok. He went upstairs with my Mum when I got out of the pool. 

I knelt, leaning against my gym ball with hubby pushing the other side to give me something to push against and pushed. Little e got a bit stuck and I could feel everything which was just the most amazing experience. I could feel her head coming down then popping back up every time I took a deep breath between contractions so had to be convinced to take the deep breaths! The midwife's said I was basically like a first timer for this stage as Big E had been hauled out with the forceps so I had never done this bit before. 

Anyway, after 1 hour + of pushing Little e was born, 9.45 am, and passed through my legs so I could see what sex she was. I was so surprised she was a girl; I had convinced myself she was a boy! I had a natural 3rd stage and hubby cut the cord after it had stopped pulsating. It took almost an hour and a half for the placenta to come away but it all came away and hubby got to have a good look at it with the midwives afterwards! Big E had left the house 15 mins before delivery and came back 30 mins after to meet his wee sister,he has adored her from the moment he set eyes on her!

In the afternoon my Mum and Dad and in-laws came round for lunch and to meet their granddaughter. I treated myself to 2 paracetamol (first drugs that day...!) to help with the after pains while they drank pink champagne!

It was an amazing experience. I can honestly say it was the most rewarding thing I have ever done and certainly my greatest achievement, not may people thought I would a achieve a pain relief free home birth! The midwife who was first there came back after a week to discuss the birth and she said she really thought I would end up in hospital as little e was so high up to start with. It just goes to show that if you want something badly enough then you can achieve it.

Sorry for the lack of photos, they are all a bit gruesome to put in the public domain!!

Linking up to Kissed by a Frog Real Life Mommy Moments