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I lost some of my plug on Wednesday morning and was having some period type crampy stuff happening -but very mild and far, far apart. Went about my day as usual and that night the mucus got bloody and I was woken by some more mild pains during the night. On Thursday I was feeling "needy" so I asked Luke to stay home from work and help me out with Tannah. I just felt I needed a rest and I had to get the car capsule fitted and didn't want to drive there myself. We had a lovely family day including a nice long beach walk. That night before bed I wanted to rearrange the living space "just in case" and nested a little. We watched a birth video leant to us and went to bed.
I was woken at about midnight with pains. I was trying to go back to sleep but I kept being woken and half an hour later decided that a sit on the loo sounded good. Spent some quality time in there and was having some more pains so I went downstairs to our space and tried to get some sleep upright on the couch. The contractions were starting to take my focus and I realised that there was no way I could go back to sleep - this was it! I don't know how far apart or what time this was but I started pacing around and leaning over the bench with each wave. I was really enjoying my time alone (no one had any idea at this point lol) and just getting into my groove.
At about 3am I decided I needed to share, I went and woke Luke and my Mum who went in and slept with Tannah ( a great advantage to living with your parents!) Luke set about sorting out the pool and organising the "stuff" while I had a few more contractions. By this stage it felt really good to be kneeling on the floor leaning into the couch. Thought it was time to call my Midwife, Julie, who asked if I wanted her yet - I said I was fine for now and would call back in maybe an hour. I was feeling so incredible I just thought it was gonna be looong. I needed to vocalise the contractions at this stage and then my water broke- well it kinda trickled for a bit. I decided it was time to call my friend/naturopath Tanya. She was on her way. I called Julie back and said that while I felt great and the contractions were close together that she might want to get organised and come - she lives about an hour away. I told her not to rush though.
At this point I hadn't even gotten Luke to rub my back or anything, I was really in my own space and the endorphin high in between was just so nice I really felt stoned or post orgasm or something - so was coping lol. What was left of my water broke everywhere as Luke finished filling the pool and Tanya walked through the door. Things ramped up a little but I was not really in "pain" as such - really hard to explain. I had to focus and breathe and vocalise but it was easy and then I got an endorphin hit so I was great I was just focused on surrendering and going with the flow.
I stood for a while and then Julie arrived just as I decided that it might be nice to get in the pool. She checked in with me and bubs and then I was in the water - must have been about 5:30am. Was on all fours or leaning over the side with hot towels or a hot water bottle on my back. Luke was rubbing my back and Tanya was keeping the hot towels coming. Julie was being hands off and there when I needed her. The support I had from everyone was awesome and I just felt so in control of the situation. I moved when I wanted to move and made noise when I wanted and asked for things I needed and just let the labour take me with it. I felt so safe and loved and supported. I could also hear Tannah upstairs with my Mum which was nice. Luke went and asked Tan if she wanted to see me and she said no! She was having too much fun lol.
Just after 7amish. I had a really long contraction followed by another and then I really needed to tell Luke I loved him. And then I felt the baby slide from one end of my pelvis to the other and then I started grunting at the end of the next contraction. Best transition LOL.
I started giving little pushes with each wave and the I knew she was close - I even said "she's close isn't she!! She's nearly here!" All of a sudden I could feel that bulge and I was then having to really focus on not losing it and freaking out. I could literally feel my pelvis stretch to make room for her. Tanya was pushing against my bum cheeks and it was bliss to push against it - who knew haha. Luke was still close to me and rubbing my back.
I was trying not to push so hard but that was working against my body, so I pushed and she slid out in one big long push. Her hand was on her face and I felt her turn herself around to get out. Julie caught her and put her on my back (I was on all fours) and then helped me to take her. I was just elated. In the video I just keep saying "oh, hello baby it's your Mama" but I can't remember. She stopped crying as I was holding her and Luke and I were just gazing at her. Mum, Dad and Tannah came in and it was so special to have all my family involved. They stayed a few minutes and in that time I just knew her name was Willow so I told everyone. The back up midwife arrived and she was a great help in the after-math.
After they left I got out of the pool and we sat for a bit and then I stood to birth the placenta. We had talked about how long we would take to cut the cord but Willow was pushing it away with her feet and crying so I mentioned cutting the cord and she stopped. So when the time was right a bit later we cut it. She was (and has been since!) keen for the boob. I didn't need stitches as the only tear I have is tiny and in the skin - just need to take it easy.
It was such an amazing experience that I truly feel blessed to have been a part of. The whole thing was just so easy and blissful and I am recovering really well too. It was so healing for me after Tannah's birth to know that I could do it and that birth could be all those things I had read or heard that it could.
Am being looked after by my family and enjoying my babymoon.
I was woken at about midnight with pains. I was trying to go back to sleep but I kept being woken and half an hour later decided that a sit on the loo sounded good. Spent some quality time in there and was having some more pains so I went downstairs to our space and tried to get some sleep upright on the couch. The contractions were starting to take my focus and I realised that there was no way I could go back to sleep - this was it! I don't know how far apart or what time this was but I started pacing around and leaning over the bench with each wave. I was really enjoying my time alone (no one had any idea at this point lol) and just getting into my groove.
At about 3am I decided I needed to share, I went and woke Luke and my Mum who went in and slept with Tannah ( a great advantage to living with your parents!) Luke set about sorting out the pool and organising the "stuff" while I had a few more contractions. By this stage it felt really good to be kneeling on the floor leaning into the couch. Thought it was time to call my Midwife, Julie, who asked if I wanted her yet - I said I was fine for now and would call back in maybe an hour. I was feeling so incredible I just thought it was gonna be looong. I needed to vocalise the contractions at this stage and then my water broke- well it kinda trickled for a bit. I decided it was time to call my friend/naturopath Tanya. She was on her way. I called Julie back and said that while I felt great and the contractions were close together that she might want to get organised and come - she lives about an hour away. I told her not to rush though.
At this point I hadn't even gotten Luke to rub my back or anything, I was really in my own space and the endorphin high in between was just so nice I really felt stoned or post orgasm or something - so was coping lol. What was left of my water broke everywhere as Luke finished filling the pool and Tanya walked through the door. Things ramped up a little but I was not really in "pain" as such - really hard to explain. I had to focus and breathe and vocalise but it was easy and then I got an endorphin hit so I was great I was just focused on surrendering and going with the flow.
I stood for a while and then Julie arrived just as I decided that it might be nice to get in the pool. She checked in with me and bubs and then I was in the water - must have been about 5:30am. Was on all fours or leaning over the side with hot towels or a hot water bottle on my back. Luke was rubbing my back and Tanya was keeping the hot towels coming. Julie was being hands off and there when I needed her. The support I had from everyone was awesome and I just felt so in control of the situation. I moved when I wanted to move and made noise when I wanted and asked for things I needed and just let the labour take me with it. I felt so safe and loved and supported. I could also hear Tannah upstairs with my Mum which was nice. Luke went and asked Tan if she wanted to see me and she said no! She was having too much fun lol.
Just after 7amish. I had a really long contraction followed by another and then I really needed to tell Luke I loved him. And then I felt the baby slide from one end of my pelvis to the other and then I started grunting at the end of the next contraction. Best transition LOL.
I started giving little pushes with each wave and the I knew she was close - I even said "she's close isn't she!! She's nearly here!" All of a sudden I could feel that bulge and I was then having to really focus on not losing it and freaking out. I could literally feel my pelvis stretch to make room for her. Tanya was pushing against my bum cheeks and it was bliss to push against it - who knew haha. Luke was still close to me and rubbing my back.
I was trying not to push so hard but that was working against my body, so I pushed and she slid out in one big long push. Her hand was on her face and I felt her turn herself around to get out. Julie caught her and put her on my back (I was on all fours) and then helped me to take her. I was just elated. In the video I just keep saying "oh, hello baby it's your Mama" but I can't remember. She stopped crying as I was holding her and Luke and I were just gazing at her. Mum, Dad and Tannah came in and it was so special to have all my family involved. They stayed a few minutes and in that time I just knew her name was Willow so I told everyone. The back up midwife arrived and she was a great help in the after-math.
After they left I got out of the pool and we sat for a bit and then I stood to birth the placenta. We had talked about how long we would take to cut the cord but Willow was pushing it away with her feet and crying so I mentioned cutting the cord and she stopped. So when the time was right a bit later we cut it. She was (and has been since!) keen for the boob. I didn't need stitches as the only tear I have is tiny and in the skin - just need to take it easy.
It was such an amazing experience that I truly feel blessed to have been a part of. The whole thing was just so easy and blissful and I am recovering really well too. It was so healing for me after Tannah's birth to know that I could do it and that birth could be all those things I had read or heard that it could.
Am being looked after by my family and enjoying my babymoon.
The birth of Willow Rain - by Shae Reynolds