I’d been having contractions for 3 days previously, consistent and uncomfortable but they didn’t amount to anything. During those 3 days I was using my TENS machine on and off to manage the pain.
I’d also phoned the midwife a few times as I had opted for a homebirth and wanted to keep them updated as my son’s birth had been fairly quick and I didn’t want to be caught out.
At this point I still hadn’t decided if I was going to have the baby at home or in the hospital. My husband had wanted me to go to hospital but had also said it was ultimately my decision.
A friend had brought to my attention that there had been an MRSA scare at Saint Mary’s Hospital, which was the hospital I was intending to give birth in *if * I went to hospital. I guess it ended up being a blessing in disguise as it helped to convince my husband that a homebirth was an option. However, it shook me as I always wanted and needed the option of the hospital whatever I ultimately decided.
Many of my slingmeet friends advocate homebirth, and although I could see benefits I didn’t have a horrible experience in hospital with my first. Therefore I didn’t know what I wanted, or feel strongly one way or another.
My friend Souad said to me that I should give birth wherever I feel safe. That became my mantra. So when people asked me if I had decided where I was going to give birth I could never tell them.I did not know if I could/would feel safe at home until It was happening. So I would just say that I would see how I felt at the time.
So on the Tuesday morning I woke up and was still having regular, uncomfortable contractions and was due to go and see the midwife for a check up. I popped out to macdonalds and got myself an egg mcmuffin whilst my husband and son were in bed. On the way back to the house my contractions became stronger and more uncomfortable. I decided to phone the midwife and let her know. She decided to pop out and see me rather than make me come to the Gp’s surgery.
Along came the midwife. She offered to give me an internal (delightful) , and promptly told me that I hadn’t dilated AT ALL, although my cervix was favourable and things were looking good.
That depressed me no end, as the previous days of contractions were taking their toll. My first sons’ labour was pretty straight forward compared to this so I felt like a novice.
I busied myself on the internet ;) , did a few chores and sat upstairs watching tv trying to cope with the contractions that were getting stronger, moving from my exercise ball to the bed. Whilst timing the contractions with a timer available on the internet. They had been for the longest time under 10mins apart ( I was told to phone the midwife when they were 10mins apart). So I phoned the midwife again to keep them informed regarding my labour (I was scared that they would be unavailable). I was again told to phone back again when they got stronger. The contractions themselves were very painful, but in between I was fine.
This went on for a few more hours.
I then spoke to my husband and thought that it was time to take my son to his aunts as things were looking serious. All this time I have been using my tens machine to cope with the pain (thank God for the boost button).
All of a sudden I had the mother of all contractions and I shouted out in pain for my husband to come! I didn’t think he would hear me. He came running up the stairs and I told him that the baby was going to show up sooner rather than later.
Another phone call to the midwives at approximately 9.00pm. The midwife i had been speaking to was due to go off shift at 9.30 and she asked me if I could hold on until the next person came on shift. I had two contractions within the space of 5mins. Contractions where you can.not.talk.
She said she’d make her way here.
Hubby made a few frantic phone calls to arrange someone to pick my son up as we have an ‘arsey’ car seat that is not the quickest to transfer from car to car. So his sister came and took my car and son to her other sisters, lol!
All the time I was having ‘real’ contractions upstairs, leaning on banister pressing boost J
Two midwives arrived at approximately 9.30pm. By then I had come downstairs with my birthing ball and was leant over it pressing boost, trying to cope with the pain.
After the midwives had set up their equipment it was time to have another internal ;) the fun of it! The midwife found that I was 7-8 centimetres dilated!! I was astounded, well I wasn’t – it felt like I was going to have a baby soon. It was strange to go from 0 cms and despondent that morning, to 7-8 after days of contractions, and nothing to show for it.
Then the gas and air was cracked open! I absolutely adore the stuff ;) It took the edge off the pain and made me more relaxed. At this point i was still using the birthing ball. I remember looking over at my husband in the corner of the room and asking him if he was ok as he was just stood in the corner of the room.
I then began leaning over the ball to help manage the pain, by this time I was pretty noisy. But who cares? I certainly didn’t. Whilst leaning over the ball my water broke, well it exploded. I had a feeling of immediate relief, and then it stepped up a notch. I remember having to lean back off the ball so that they could listen to the baby’s heartbeat.
At some point my husband had come to my side to support me. It was time to push. The midwife asked me to stop using the gas and air as it was time to get baby out. I wasn’t aware of the time that elapsed whilst pushing (as you can imagine). All I can remember was how good a birth partner my husband was. He coached me so well and I listened to him rather than the midwife.
I ended up giving birth leaning on my sofa.
He was placed straight on to my chest and all the pain that I had experienced disappeared. I looked down and he looked just like my other son, except bigger. His feet were huge and he looked at me like he knew who I was.
