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Birth Story of Molly Rebecca, born 10th February 2002, 1550hrs, 7lbs 9oz.
2 days prior to delivery, on the Friday, I felt 'wet' all day so eventually rang my midwife who said to go to hosp as waters may be trickling. This I did and was found to be 3 cms dilated. This is going to be a breeze I thought - 3cms and didn't even know it!! Waters hadn't gone by the way but were 'bulging'!!
We went off home and put up the pool, settled down in anticipation and NOTHING!!
Next day, Saturday, again nothing!! Felt a little disappointed, but at least we had been able to get the pool up without any mad rush!!
Next morning, Sunday, ! woke at 3am with period type pains - didn't really think too much about it so went back to sleep. Woke at 6am with definite contractions. I had worried beforehand how I would recognise the onset of labour and contractions, but there was just no mistaking it, I knew immediately.
Woke DH about 6.30am, who jumped up all excited and went off to fill the pool. He told me to stay in bed and rest!!!! Unable to sit still I followed him downstairs and wandered around like a lost sheep while he messed with hose pipes and thermometers! Eventually he told me to start timing contractions and I was amazed to find they were 5 mins apart!!
I rang the midwife at this stage, she arrived at 8.30am, examined me and I was then 4cms dilated. (Only 4 I thought, I was 3 two days ago!) She waited with us for a while but as it was Sunday, she had all the post-natal checks to do in the area so left us whilst she did her morning visits. She returned about 10.30, by then contractions were 3 mins apart, the pain was still in my back - sort of like a dull back ache.
I lolled around on my birthing ball, rang a few people, my mum paid us a visit - it was all very nice and even relaxing despite the pain getting more intense. Midwife went off at 11.30 for lunch and at 12 my waters broke - couldn't have timed it better, I was kneeling on the huge plastic mat that came with the pool so fortunately no water went on the carpet or anything!! ( I would imagine this could have been a messy business and I was very lucky because I'd only just got off the settee!!) I remember all I kept saying was ‘Is it clear?? Is it clear?’ as any meconium in the waters would have meant I couldn’t have had my waterbirth. We rang the midwife who came back and examined me. I was 8cms now and all the pain had moved round to the front after my waters had gone, although for a short time the pressure seemed to have eased.
I was now desperate to get into the pool which I did and it was such a lovely, relaxing feeling! The midwife rang the 2nd midwife at this point. Contractions at this stage were very powerful and I wouldn't have got through it without DH breathing through them with me. Time seemed to fly by but it was another hour apparently before the 2nd midwife arrived and with her the gas and air. I found the gas and air very useful, not especially for the pain but it gave me something to concentrate on. It also made me feel drunk which was a great feeling after 9 months without alcohol!!
Every 15 minutes I had to lift my tummy up for them to listen in to the babys heartbeat - one of the downsides to a waterbirth as this was quite uncomfortable at this point as my contractions were almost constant.
I had this huge urge to push now, but the midwives kept telling me to breath through it and for a short while I was able to but eventually nothing can stop you. I started 'properly' pushing at 3pm. I remember at this stage the m/w asking if anyone wanted a cup of tea!!! A cup of tea, I thought!! I’m having a bloody baby here!!!!!! I think I honestly expected it to be a couple of pushes and out she’d pop!! However, it was to be another 50 minutes of pushing before Molly was eventually born, underwater, at 3.50pm. The only scary moment was when I’d managed to get her head out – usually the rest of the body follows with the next contraction. However, I never got any more contractions. The m/w was rubbing my tummy trying to stimulate a contraction but nothing happened, so I had to push without the help of a contraction and she gently guided Molly out. Usually they don’t like to interfere or touch the baby with a water birth as contact can stimulate the baby to breath whilst still underwater.
Thankfully, Molly being the clever person she is, she knew not to do this until she was lifted out of the water when she screamed straightaway!!
Dh cut the cord (and a huge cord it was apparently) whilst still in the water, we had been warned that the water turns red at this point so it wasn’t too much of a shock!!!! We had 5 minutes in the pool and then I had to get out to deliver the placenta. This took about 10minutes and then Molly had her first breastfeed, cuddled up together on the sofa!
In total, a 9 hour labour (which seemed to fly by), 2nd degree tear but no sutures.
I cannot describe the amazing feeling of completeness when everyone had visited and eventually gone home and left the 3 of us cuddled up on the sofa - a proper family!!
I had a wonderful experience of labour and birth - I cannot deny it was painful and difficult - but I can honestly say I enjoyed it and would gladly do it all again tomorrow! Just waiting for that chance…………………..