Baby Isla is earthside
My baby girl, Isla, arrived fast on Sunday 17th November at 1.30am
Although I had always had the 16th November in my mind for birth (it was 40+3 and the day after the full Beaver moon) I was actually in the middle of a big argument with my husband. Maybe it was my way of getting ready but I thought that my oxytocin levels were rock bottom and I settled in bed to read and sleep and definitely not give birth.
I heard a “pop” and felt a deep cramp. I was confused though because I wasn’t moving at all and couldn’t believe my waters had broke. I took a minute before I moved and confirmed, yes my waters had gone. “Great”, I thought, “I might be leaking for days before I go into labour”.
A few minutes of chatting to Alex, my husband where we decided to reset and I called my parents and midwife to alert them to the fact that labour could be close but not yet. 20 minutes later I felt the start of the cramps and as each one ramped up we decided to call them both back. My parents headed over from Reading to collect my eldest, Evie and Oliver, from bed. An exciting time but I could feel myself holding back till they were gone, around midnight.
As my midwife, Georgia, predicted, the contractions ramped up as soon as they left. Georgia decided to head over. I asked Alex to start filling the pool. I lit my candles and put my music on. The contractions increased frequency and intensity and I tried to put the TENS machine on but I hadn’t prepared properly and only had two electrodes, not four, so it wouldn’t work. To be honest it was too late for that anyway.
When Georgia arrived I started to be on my knees and feel pressure very low so I decided to go to the toilet before getting in the pool. The toilet apparently is always a good place for contractions because I always struggle to get off it. I suppose a birthing stool must’ve been similar in the past.
I requested gas and air and struggled the 3 meters from the toilet to the pool. It wasn’t warm enough really but still a tiny bit of a relief. It was half full so it just covered my bump. I managed to take some breaths of gas and air and it gave me just enough resilience to get through the next minute or so as I was squeezing her out. In fact, this time it happened so quick that I wasn’t doing anything, my body was doing it for me. I just had to hold on in there. Georgia said some perfectly timed things like “blow it out” and “you’re stretching really well” and a second later she said “ there’s just a leg to do”. I couldn’t believe it. I scooped her out of the water and instantly declared she looked my eldest, Evie and then “thank fuck”.
The relief that it was over was so immense for me. My body started shaking and it didn’t stop till I finally got out the water after birthing the placenta. The first time I did a physiological third stage. My waters broke at 11pm. Isla was born at 1.30am. It was quick. The midwives respected my wishes for no checks, they were supportive, positive and kind. They are superheroes and again if you ever consider a home birth I would recommend it one hundred per cent.
So what have I learned this time round?
I’m resting! For the first time I am actually still in or near my bed on day 8 after giving birth. Psychologically this is really helping me to deal with the hormonal rollercoaster and sleep deprivation. This is only possible because my husband, Alex, is taking care of most everything else.
My body did the birthing, I was just along for the ride. Honestly, if we let our bodies just get on with it then that’s the best way. I didn’t even actively push this time and she still came out. It was also much better for my pelvic floor!
More births don’t necessarily mean a worsening of prolapse or pelvic floor dysfunction. It’s the birth itself that impacts this. So any issues I have are from being in lithotomy position with my daughter being ventoussed out during my first birth. Subsequent births have not made things worse at all.
I’m accepting all help and offers of childcare for my older children. I’m noticing the village that is pitching in and helping and I’m very grateful.
Third time and breastfeeding is still toe-curling painful at the beginning. As always, breastfeeding is not easy.
