Matthews Birth Story - 7Ib 13oz - 5/09/07

I had a wonderful birth with my first Son Callum. Although he was in a back to back position and labour was fairly long I used HypnoBirthing techniques to keep me calm and in control and I found birth to be wonderful. However I did spend a lot of time in the bath and really felt I would have benefited from having a pool. As a result I decided that this time I definitely wanted a home birth and a pool to use during labour and also the option to birth in the pool.

Although the community midwives were supportive they did explain that they are not all confident or trained for a water birth and that they may ask me to get out of the pool to birth. I really believe strongly that a woman must have complete freedom during labour and birth, when possible, and I really wanted to birth where I wanted. The community midwife suggested that if I wanted to guarantee a water birth (as long as it was possible) I should consider independent midwives. I soon explored the idea and found wonderful Midwives at the Essex Midwifery Practice (EMP). It really was the best decision I ever made, they looked after me throughout pregnancy and we built a strong relationship, which enabled me to prepare for the birth I really wanted. Like his brother Matthew was 8 days late but because I had independent midwives I knew I would still be able to have my home birth regardless of how long it was until Matthew decided to be born. This totally took the pressure off, I remember with Callum getting stressed at the prospect of not being able to have him at home if I went on two days longer and the induction date looming in front of me.

Anyway, the day came, I was having a pub lunch with my Mum and Callum when I noticed regular twinges which I knew were the beginnings of labour. I ate a huge lunch and had a glass of red wine to celebrate. We then all went home and the surges slowly became more noticeable as the afternoon went on, I decided that Callum should go back to Mum’s place and I would let Chris know that he should clear his desk as he would not be going to work for a couple of weeks. Chris got home about 5pm and we went for a walk over the park. Then relaxed in front of the TV, my birthing pool was up and ready to go so we decided to try and get some sleep. Matthew had other ideas, whenever I lay down he would kick and kick so eventually, about 1am, we got back up and started to dance about the living room.

During a surge I would close my eyes relax and do my HypnoBirthing breathing, then once it had gone carry on walking. At about 3 am Matthew became very active and we decided we would like the midwife to check he was ok, also my surges had been about 5 minutes apart for an hour. We called Rachel (one of the EMP midwives) who was expecting us as I had called the night before to warn her. She came straight over and checked Matthew’s heart rate and my blood pressure; all was well so we carried on our dance routine and relaxation. I did get in and out of the pool a few times, I found the water so relaxing, it would slow my surges down but gave me a lovely rest, once I had the strength again I would get out and get things going. Rachel just gave us the space to get on with having our baby just checking everything was ok along the way. At about 7am Chris and I were all but falling asleep in the pool, my surges were about 10 to 15 minutes apart at times but hey it takes as long as it takes and I was enjoying myself! Vicky a second EMP Midwife arrived ready to support Rachel during the birth.

At about 8am I decided to see if I could feel anything and make sure something was happening! So still in the pool I had a feel and could feel the baby’s head quite high but knew that it was happening. Shortly after that my waters released and then the surges became stronger as I got the feeling to bear down. I totally relaxed and just trusted my body, breathing with the surge and making some great ‘mooing’ noises. I could soon feel his head coming. Rachel reassured me that everything was going well and I felt totally in control. It was amazing, I didn’t push I just let my body do it all, Chris was right there with me; and holding me in the pool. When Matthew’s head came out it was wonderful I remember thinking we are going to see our son in the minute and sure enough with the next surge out he came. Rachel posted him back through my legs as I was kneeing in the pool and Chris and I brought him to the surface together, he was (and still is) so beautiful. The birth was amazing and the patience and time and confidence that came from the midwives meant I felt totally in control and uninhibited. I believe that birth is such an important event for Mother and Baby that it is worth investing in the birth you really want. The support you have with you during birth can influence how you feel and ultimately what happens during birth, I am so pleased I had the support of such wonderful midwives and that because of HypnoBirthing Chris was also able to support me by keeping me relaxed and ensuring I remained in control. Birth really can be and should be a positive wonderful experience.