After the birth of DS was nothing that I had planned for (GD, induced, monitored, epidural), I was so happy that I didn't have GD this pregnancy and as such was considered low risk and was able to birth at the local birthing center. It also helped that we moved back to NZ between pregnancies - the system here provides a free midwife to provide continuous care thoughout the pregnancy, birth and post natal period.
Anyhow...
Baby was due on the 6th of September but although it was only two days away there were no signs that anything was going to happen so we just assumed that we would have one last weekend as a family of three. We went to dinner at the neighbours house and after DS was in bed we watched a bit of telly. I was getting tightenings, but they weren't regular so I assumed that they were another run of Braxton-Hicks like I had had a couple of nights before.
Around 10pm we went to bed but the pains continued. Around 1am I accepted that I wasn't going to get any sleep and got up. I watched a bit of telly with a hot water bottle on my tummy, took a couple of panadol and tried to have a sleep on the couch. Around 2.30am the cramps were getting reasonably sore so I jumped in the shower for a bit. I got out at 3am and having finally decided that although they weren't regular it probably was labour, I thought I should get a bag together to take with me. I spent the next hour collecting bits and peices, and at 4am I woke DH to find the battery charger for the video camera. I had to get back in the shower to ease the contractions and got DH to time them - they were 1 minute long and 2-3 minutes apart. We decided to call the midwife.
As DH was staying home to look after DS, the midwife came to pick me up. We got to the birth centre at 5am. A quick exam showed that I was 6-7cm dilated. She ran the bath and I jumped in. The bath was so relaxing, I just lay in there snoozing and having half-awake dreams. Each time I had a contraction I just rotated my pelvis and fought the urge to tense up. I concentrated on breathing deep breaths in and out and repeated little mantras in my head - "it is only one minute of your life, it will be over soon", and "each contraction brings you one step closer to meeting your new baby". The midwife stayed away and I couldn't see the clock so I was able to completely zone out.
Eventually the contractions got quite painful. A student midwife was also present and I told her I had to push or go to the toilet. She went to tell the other midwife that I had pressure down there . I heard the experienced midwife quizzing the student on what she needed to do to prepare for an imminent birth, then another contraction started and a jet of brown/green fluid shot out as my waters broke. I was going to call and tell them but then the full force of the contraction hit and I felt baby move down the birth canal and crown so I settled for some groaning and splashing around. The student midwife reappeared as I pushed a bit and the head was out. She was still putting on her gloves and told me to pant for a bit but I felt like pushing again so I did and baby popped out.
She was passed to me and we cuddled in the bath for a while, then we made our way over to the bed and waited for the placenta to come out. I was surprised when I looked at the clock and realised it was only 7am. She attached beautifully and had a big feed. I called DH and he and DS came down to meet our newest family member. We were all home by 10am.
I am still dazed about how well it all went! The shower/bath took was amazing for pain relief and I just cannot believe how bearable the whole labour and birth was. I can't imagine any way that it could have been better.
The perfect birth of Amelia
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