Labour "pains" started around 8pm - can't say they hurt - but they were 4-5 minutes from the start. The actual peak was only lasting 30 seconds so I really didn't think it was labour. It really just felt like a short sharp stab (not bad) in my lower left hand side, then my belly tightened from the bottom to the top, held it for about 30 seconds and then went away. In total though, the contraction took one minute to start and finish. I said to DH "this can't be labour"
10.30pm - I called my midwife to say they'd been consistent for the last 2.5 hours but I could still talk through them and although uncomfortable, I wouldn't call them painful.
11.30pm - decided to call the babysitter since they weren't getting worse but they weren't going away laying down either.
12.30am - sms'd midwife that we were leaving and that we'd meet her around 1.30am......at this stage all I needed was a deep breathe and an "aaahhhh" when the peak hit. Then slow breathing til the next - but couldn't have been more than 4 minutes in between which gave me my break. Still not hurting at this point, felt more like a period cramp - lasting still 1 minute.
1.20am - arrived at the birth centre, could hear the bath running and met the midwife. Still chatty and I told her there was no way this was labour and if it was then I had to only be a 3cms tops! She asked when I'd like an exam - I said "how about an hour"
1.45am - climbed in the beautiful birthing bath. This doesn't take away the contraction, but like when you've pulled a muscle or have other muscular pain, it is very relieving.
2am - things started getting a little more uncomfortable (still I wouldn't call it painful) - the period like pain was now coming with the start of the contraction and lasting til nearly the end of the contraction. At this point I believed I was in labour, so I asked my midwife if she could check me shortly. She sat down and asked me what I thought I was - I told her 3cms - she asked if she checked and I was 3cms would I be disappointed - I was honest and said yes probably.
2.30am - at this point contractions were more intense, this is when I'd start calling them painful and I started waivering in my conviction of a natural birth. I wasn't sure I could do this for another few hours if I wasn't very far dilated. I asked Lisa to bring in the gas - but to leave it off for the moment (I think I just needed the psychological mindset it was there). I asked Lisa to check me - I was 7cms and I was stoked.
2.43am - I lost the plot at this point because the contractions started feeling as though they were coming way too close for my liking and if this was going to go on for a while I'd definitely flip out and need an epidural (which wasn't an option because I'd have to transfer half an hour to another hospital). I just started pushing without intending to and got really worried that only being 7cms I'd tear my cervix or something. I said to my midwife "I'm pushing but can't help it" she said "go with it" I told her my fear and she calmly said "your body won't do anything it isn't ready to do"
With that, I just got up from being laying in the bath, got onto my knees and put my head on DH's shoulder. He held me and just told me to calm down and breathe. I remember feeling a burning sensation in my vagina as bub started to decend, but saying "she's about to crown but it isn't hurting anymore". DH reminded me to "breathe her out" and I felt her crown. I put my hand against her head and slowly breathed her out supporting her head. Once the head was out I just let her "hang" there for a second thinking to myself "this is the most amazing feeling in the world". Then I felt my body push again and I guided her shoulders out and lifted her to my chest in the water. 7 minutes of pushing and my daughter was born into the water - I birthed her myself and just knew what to do. It was amazing.
Only 20 minutes later the placenta was birthed - we were planning on banking - but I just liked the way this happened instead. No need for Synto - no excessive bleeding and placenta birthed in one piece.
My DH was just amazing. God what a man! I should have never doubted him - he kept me grounded when I felt myself losing it at the end.
So:
Caryanah Emily
3.47kg
54cms
HC - 32cms
4 hours of labour - 7 minutes of pushing - no stitches at all!
Last edited by Mummato2; March 10th, 2010 at 07:19 AM.
: Added more detail now I have more time!
Congratulations Mummato2 on achieving such a beautiful natural birth. I know from your posts you've done so much to prepare, you should be so proud of yourself. Welcome to your baby daughter Caryanah - she has such a beautiful name.
Oh wow! I didn't know you had had your baby! That is so so amazing! I am so glad it all worked out and you had such an amazing birth, I too have a very similar story to you with the comparison between 1st and second births, just so you know the awe never wares off!! Congratulations!!
Oh wow! This is so great for you! I originally came on here to find Lauren's birth story only to find that you had already popped! Sounds like it was an amazing experience, i'm so envious and am praying that mine goes even half as well!
Congratulations again and I'm so glad everything worked out well considering all the stressy hassles you had the other week with your family.
I have to be honest - I really didn't think I had it in me - BB has been a HUGE help in making me decide what was important to me and gave me the knowledge to make strong choices.
It paid off because I can't ask for a better way to heal Cooper's birth experience and to mark the completion of our family.
Who would have thought a great mindset, letting your body go and believing in those around you actually make child birth pleasurable.
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Story of Second Baby - natural waterbirth in Birth Centre
what an awesome story
welcome little girl!
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