Birth Stories

My Birth Story - 13 February 2010

Something incredible happened at Cornfield Road!! My world has been rocked and I am officially Wonderwoman!

My pregnancy was relatively uneventful - a week longer than anticipated but no problems physically. However, emotionally I had a fair bit of baggage from last time round. Nothing major but still there all the same. I was so  determined to have my home birth this time and guess what?!!....
I did!

My contractions started at about 6.45am on Saturday 13th February. I laid in bed enjoying...yes! enjoying them! Feeling completely overexcited at the prospect of meeting our baby sometime in the next few hours. We started to time them using Tim’s iPhone! whilst all having breakfast. We sent a text to Anja just so she knew it was finally happening! They were every 3 minutes lasting for a minute but totally manageable, however we thought we should let Anja know that bit so Tim texted her and I still don't know exactly what he put but she arrived at top speed to find me pottering about in no pain at all!  I was still feeling very excited and explained to Seamus (5yrs old) that we would be meeting our baby at last.  I felt completely in control of things and never once considered hospital, had no bag packed like last time!!

Anja arrived and we went for a lovely stroll around the block and into the woods, the sun was shining and it was a lovely spring like morning...PERFECT!! The contractions started to feel more effective now and closer together. We got home and Tim and Seamus were pumping up the pool! Still feeling very excited and so confident that my body was ready and knew what to do.
Things slowed down a bit as Tim and Seamus were very “busy” and I got distracted so Anja (with out any prompting from me!) sent the boys out to play! Within a few minutes things started to ramp up again, my contractions soon became much more powerful and I really truly started to enjoy the sensation of my body working hard to get my baby into position. I kept breathing and swaying and with my eyes closed envisaging waves washing over me. So powerful.  Anja read my trashy magazine collection! And we chatted between contractions. When they started to affect my lower back we decided it was time to get into the pool! WOW! I have to admit being a little sceptical of its effects as last time I didn't feel the benefits, but WOW! This time...it was an amazing feeling, the warmth of the water and the feeling of being in my own space was incredible. I think I may have said it was better than sex! (sorry Tim!). My whole body responded to it and I was incredibly relaxed. During a contraction in the pool my waters broke, something I hadn't experienced last time, odd sensation but kind of a relief.

Seamus and Tim were having lunch and I heard Anja tell them there would be baby very soon. I continued to enjoy the water and on all fours felt my contractions become even more powerful, I was very focussed and so happy to be at home!  Seamus got into the pool and poured water onto my back – he was amazing! Apparently, he didn't waste any time donning his swim trunks!! Our baby was working its way lower and I tried (with fantastic efforts from Anja and Tim as well as Seamus) to allow my body to be open and let her come! I felt more and more pressure and I started to get a bit anxious – not sure why – but with Anja by my side reassuring me I managed to focus once again on being open and my breathing. I remember at this point shouting for help??!! and saying it hurts. Anja reassured me yet again and my gorgeous son Seamus continued to pour water on my back and say “its OK Mummy, Seamus is here”! My heart swells; he was and still is such a little man!
Eventually, I pushed and felt a baby starting to descend further and shortly after a head began to crown...I think! I lost concentration a bit and my contractions seemed to stop, but encouraged by all three of my amazing birth partners one more push and the head was out, Seamus had a look at this point! Anja asked for small pushes now and I tried to control things a bit, before I knew it the rest of our baby was born. Massive relief and instant euphoria! I did it! I bloody did it!! Anja passed our baby to me and she was huge and beautiful and a girl!! Born in the only way babies should be born!At home with the rest of the family there. Anja congratulated us and said she thought she was probably 9lb or so...try 10lb 4.5oz!

After birthing my placenta which was also something I had hang ups about after last time and was fine this time, Anja took me up to our room  and Tim brought our baby, then tucked us up having already done our first breast feed which was another thing that was very emotional for me having struggled with Seamus to feed.

Anja was and still is amazing, so caring and calm. I felt completely cared for and pretty pleased with myself! Unlike my last experience. The whole thing has blown me away and I can honestly say it has put to bed the “horrors” of last time.  Having Anja has meant I got it  ALL this time, exactly as I wanted and hoped for. She truly has empowered me and I feel like Superwoman! The only problem I face now is Anja leaving our lives and spreading her “amazingness” elsewhere! Although I get the feeling she will always be part of our lives now!  This experience will stay with us forever and although we don't plan to have any more babies if I come across anyone who is I would highly recommend they have Anja! With a pool in their front room!! she made ALL the difference to us.

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