At 11 days overdue I had a few really mild contractions before lunch and then things started to heat up (and speed up) just after 12pm where the waves felt like mild to strong period pains. By 1pm I was then convinced that "this must be it" and by 1:30pm the contractions were 5 minutes apart and we got ready to leave for the the hospital.... Believe it or not I still wasn't 'sure' because it was happening so fast! LOL We arrived at the hospital at 2pm and by that stage the contractions were 2-3 mins apart. From there I went into the birth suit and had our baby boy 2 hours later in the water. Just amazing! The midwife tells me the 2nd stage was only 45 minutes and I had a natural 3rd stage where it took around 20 minutes to birth the placenta. My beautiful husband recieved bub which is so special as he was the 1st person to touch our baby, from there he lifted bub onto my chest and I can't explain how much love I felt for both of them at that moment. Bub was really alert and looking into our eyes, so very, very special. The labour was an experience I will never forget, it all happened so quickly I didn't really have time to think of anything much.... When I got to the hospital I was in shock, pale in the face and scared not knowing what to expect. I remember the waves before the 2nd stage being uncomfortable but bearable and then I was really surprised when I felt the urge to start pushing. DH was the most fantastic support, reminding me to breath and supporting me through each wave, I honestly don't know if I could have done it without him. After bubs was born we stayed in birth suit for another hour and half or so while bubs was on the boob and I birthed the placenta naturally. After I had a shower and dh had a snuggle we had something to eat, then we went back to our room. I'm so happy with the way the midwife left us alone as much as possible and acknowledged our wishes to have a natural birth with no internal examination and injections for me or bubs.
Our stay at the hospital was also good, we had a huge family room where dh and I had a double bed to sleep in and they even allow co-sleeping so bub was rarely out of our arms for the first 4 days bubs1st bath was probably the highlight after the birth for us, one of the midwives organised for us to go back to the birth suit for a 'family bath' Omgoodnes it was wonderful! We walked in and they had the towels warming up for us, oil burner on, lights dimmed and music playing, we both started crying as all the emotions of the birth came back. We then took our time and enjoyed not only bubs 1st bath but our 1st family bath
This wonderful birth experiance hasn't been without challenges as we entred the world of parenthood... Breastfeeding OMG! I would honestly rather give birth again than endure the pain of my nipples the 1st week the sensitivity was unbelievable!!! Like torture my hands and feet were breaking out into sweat with each attachment. THANK GOD they are much better now and our little one is feeding like a champion and mum is now relaxed and enjoying looking into bubs eyes when he's having a good feed. It was a God sent having midwives on hand for the 1st 4 days, due to the sensitivity of my nipples we buzzed the midwives for each feed so that they could make sure he was attached properly so we managed to avoid any more damage to the nipple then necessary. Again dh has been an amazing support as he learnt what the correct attachemnt looked like and helped me put bubs on the boob properly for the 1st week, he also made sure I was proped up with pillows and as relaxed as possible. The tension of breastfeeding left my body really sore and today we had someone come around and give us both a massage which was really nice.
I also had a bit of a melt down when we got home as reality sunk in that this beautiful little soul is now relying on us for everything. There has been heaps of tears from me and for some reason as the night settles in I have been getting really emotional. I went through a whole range of emotions including thinking I didn't know how to look after him and being so deeply thankful that I have the most amazing husband in the world who I couldn't not do this without. I'm slowly getting better with the tears (none today so far) as we get to know our little one and what he likes etc.
All in all the experiance has been overwhealmingly special
What a beautiful birth story hun! Thankyou for sharing, enjoy all the cuddles.
I must ask where did you give birth i want to give birth there sounds gorgeous! xx
Congratulations and what an amazing story! Your family bath sounds so special. I understand the evening tears, my little baby blues hit most nights as the long days of painful feeds ( I had the same pain for quite a while ) took over and I knew I had long nights ahead so my tears would flow at around 7 every night. Enjoy your baby moon and I hope feeding settles in for you quickly as well. xox
What a gorgeous experience you have just been through. A family bath....that is simply beautiful, those midwives sound just wonderful. After waiting such a long time it makes that birthing experience such a treasured time. You should be incredibly proud of yourself Cherished, you have birthed a beautiful little boy who is so lucky to have you and DH as his world
One thing that stood out though was the emotional feeling as the sun sets. I got this too and I would be fine all day and then as night closed in I would bawl my eyes out. Do you find the nights lonely? I found a few things to help. One was rescue remedy as soon as I felt that feeling, I also started lighting a candle each evening to remind myself how strong and capable I am. That initial shock of responsibility os huuuuuge! I used to imagine everything being a danger to my dd, even myself because my senses were so heightened to protect her.
Please pm me if you want to chat. I wrote a diary during those early weeks and it shares a lot of this.
You're amazing, and your birth was incredible...try and find that magic in each day...it's in your baby and within you...
Wow, what a beautiful birth! Sounds like it was an absolutely divine experience I wanna give birth at the same place, the family bath afterwards sounded magical.
Wow cherished, that truly is a beautiful birth story, and it sounds like you did so well! The family bath brought tears to my eyes, that is so special.
It sounds as though you have a fantastic DH too.
All the best for a wonderful future with your new little family
Wow Cherished, thank you for sharing your water birth with us. I feel honoured to have read your story. How beautiful for you and your DH and your baby. I am a little emotional after reading all the details. Your doing a wonderful job with your baby, and baby can be in no better place than mum and dads arms... Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby. Much love to you and yours. xx
Congratulations Cherished and thanks for sharing the story of your birth - I'm so glad you got your beautiful waterbirth! And the family bath sounds like such a loving, wonderful moment. I found wiggling my fingers or toes helped with those early attachment sensitivities, distracted my pain brain! Thanks again for sharing
Gorgeous story. I remember feeling that weepy feeling with S, too (he was also really alert and just looked at me as soon as he was born - it's just breathtaking, isn't it?) and it settled down after about 10 days, I think.
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Our amazing waterbirth
bubs1st bath was probably the highlight after the birth for us, one of the midwives organised for us to go back to the birth suit for a 'family bath' Omgoodnes it was wonderful! We walked in and they had the towels warming up for us, oil burner on, lights dimmed and music playing, we both started crying as all the emotions of the birth came back. We then took our time and enjoyed not only bubs 1st bath but our 1st family bath
the 1st week the sensitivity was unbelievable!!! Like torture my hands and feet were breaking out into sweat with each attachment. THANK GOD they are much better now and our little one is feeding like a champion and mum is now relaxed and enjoying looking into bubs eyes when he's having a good feed. It was a God sent having midwives on hand for the 1st 4 days, due to the sensitivity of my nipples we buzzed the midwives for each feed so that they could make sure he was attached properly so we managed to avoid any more damage to the nipple then necessary. Again dh has been an amazing support as he learnt what the correct attachemnt looked like and helped me put bubs on the boob properly for the 1st week, he also made sure I was proped up with pillows and as relaxed as possible. The tension of breastfeeding left my body really sore and today we had someone come around and give us both a massage which was really nice.
as we get to know our little one and what he likes etc.
xx
) took over and I knew I had long nights ahead so my tears would flow at around 7 every night. Enjoy your baby moon and I hope feeding settles in for you quickly as well. xox
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