My homebirth story - a 39wk 3 day decision

[Alina0210]

Tallinn's Birth Story. (correct times & notes come from midwifes notes)

My due date was the 8th June by my ultrasound, and i had booked into Kaleeya Hospital in Perth. When i found out
i was pregnant, i was training to be a Doula, and it made me start to think how i gave birth to DS and how
i would like to this time, and it also made me start researching birth and labour and not just going with the flow.
I had been drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea and taking Evening primrose oil for weeks.

On the 4th June, i was speaking at a friend Bec (who was also going to be my Doula), and she mentioned that
Kaleeya would let you labour in water but as they are getting Audited for a new water birth policy that was being
written they are getting strict on not allowing water births, and Bec mentioned that if i wanted a water birth
i might want to try to get n the Commounity Midwife Program they have here in Perth, as i had been mentioniing
how good it would be to stay home for the last couple of week. So at 39wks 3 days i made a few calls and there
happen to be a space for me, and i was accepted, and i met my Midwife the following afternoon.

Sunday 8th June, my due date, i was lying in bed with a feeling that i was hungry, and after dozing for a bit i
ended up getting out of bed at 7:30am and i felt a slight cramp in my front... after 3mins another one... woohoo
things were starting. I told DH that today will be the day and if he could get out of bed and start inflating the
birth pool, and getting things ready.

At 8am i contact Bec, and let her know that today would be the day and just to prepare, and she said to contact
her when i needed her to come over and i also then contacted our friend Darin, who will be looking after DS
for the day, and let him know that we would call him when ready for him to pick up DS.

I hopped in the shower, not really for pain just to waste some time, this is about the time i recieved a sms
from Becky that she will come over now to help DH set up the room.

At 8:30-9ish my pains were still 3-5 mins apart, lasting only 10-20 secs and not really that bad at all... pretty
easy prelabour. We spent time getting organised and DH, had called our friend Darin over to go to Bunnings to
get a attachement for the hose to start filling up the bath (I really thought we had anotehr day or so to get it)..
I put on Transformers the movie to waste some time.

10:37 contractions 3-5mins apart and now lasting 30-40secs, i was able to talk through then and while waitin for
another i felt great. I threw up for the 2nd time ever in my pregnancy around now. Bec contacted midwfie and let her
know what was going on.

About 12pm i had a lie down as i was feeling a bit tired, contractions still 3-5mins apart but not too bad.

1pm Our primary midwife Dorine arrived, while i have having another shower, checked bub with dopler and
and everything was going cruisy. Baby Heartrate 126 and acceleraction was heard, and baby ROA and my blood
pressure was 130/70.

3pm Bec called Dorine to come again as contractions, as the pains were getting stronger (all in my front), like a
sharp stabbing pain. Also i got Bec to call my Chiropractor, Gordan, as my back was really sore (i had been seeing him all
pregnancy and he told me to contact him if i need to). Gordan said he would be about 1 hour. I still didnt think
contractions were that bad yet.

3:15pm i hopped into the birthing pool because from contracting the midwife and Gordan, my contractions intensified.
The pool was lovelly and i could get comfortable. Cold flannels and cold water drinks were great the whole time i was in the pool.

3:30pm COntractions still 3mins apart, but alot stronger, i think i started moaning with these ones...Dorine
arrives and pretty much keeps quiet and lets me do my thing. She used the dopler and baby heartrate 140bpm strong and regular.

3:54pm Around this time, Gordan arrived, and used pressure to adjust my back while i was in the bath, he says i feel
slightly contricted in my back. I mentioned to Dorine i starting to feel some pressure.

4:00pm While Gordan was using presssure to adjust my back i felt baby move down, and ever time he put pressure on
my back i could feel baby move further down.

4:13pm - Contractions still getting stronger, 3mins apart, lasting 60secs. (in my notes it says i was quiet inbetween).
I was holding hands of DH and Bec, and and squeezed them during contractions, telling them to try and crack my knuckles.

4:25pm Dorine checked babys heart rate again with the dopler, 136bpm, i mentioned to Dorine, i started to feel slightly pushy, which felt like it was more comfortable to relax my bum that to tense it. Dorine called Marilyn (the backup midwife) to let her know to come now.

4:30pm Dorine said i should try and get out of the pool and use the toilet, but i said i wasn't moving for anyone, then
she suggested that everyone except DH to leave the room to see if i could do a wee in the pool to help baby move down more.

4:32pm Just as everyone left the room, i had a huge contraction which was so intense that i really had to grab onto DH, and during this one my water broke and my body started pushing by itself. And i yelled at everyone to come back as i was "PUSHING".

4:39pm I could feel baby moving down during contractions. My body was pushing, i didnt have to do anything. Baby heart rate was heard briefly.

4:42pm At this stage, there was nothing stopping my body from pushing. Contractions still 3mins apart but during each contraction my body would push 3 times. I could feel the babys head about 1 knuckle inside. Not long to go now. I also felt a heap of mucus plug which i grabbed and pulled away, this send DH running from the room dry retching.

4:46pm Baby heartrate 126, strong and regular.

4:50pm I could feel the babys head start to crown, i said "Oh my god, shes got heaps of hair".. babys head was 1/2 the way out for 2 mins while waiting for the next contraction. I knew that i had to wait so i could prevent tearing, and let me body do it when
it was ready.

4:52pm During the next contraction, the babys head was all the way out, and i could feel her face, and hair in the water. Marilyn the backup midwife arrives.

4:54pm One more contraction and my body pushed my baby out on its own, she was passed straight through my legs and i
laid back against the birth pool. She had the cord slightly around her neck as it was a long cord, it was released and she gave a a little cry.

I was able to sit on my couch, (covered in plastic and towels), while waiting for the placenta. After that come out, i was given a hot chocolate, a platter of soft cheeses, nuts and biscuits. It was lovelly. Also everyone that was there we had about 1/2 glass of wine to celebrate.

When i was ready, DH had some skin to skin, while i had a shower. I got dressed and into my own bed, where all of her stats were recorded.

Tallinn Elodie Rose Collard
Born 8th June 08
4:54pm
4.1kgs
36cm head
53cm long
Apgars - 8, then 9

Lenght of Labour (prelabour for the morning)
1st Stage - 3hrs 32mins
2nd Stage - 22mins
3rd Stage - 28mins
TOTAL: 4hrs 22mins

I recieved a slight 1st degree tear but nothing that needing stitches.

I am so happy that i changed my mind and had a homebirth. DH who was initially scared about them, is now all for them.
It was so relaxing and enjoyable. Even though it was painful, i didnt even think about needing drugs, as i knew there was none available, and really, i didnt need it and best if all i was able to get on with the job of having my baby, without interuptions or VE's. After the birth was able to spend all my time with Tallinn, other than having my shower to get cleaned up, she never left my side.

I would deffinatly do it again. Nothing can compare to a homebirth.

[~Kaz~]

What an amazing birth. Well done and thankyou so much for sharing it.

[Lulu2]

Woo Hoo! Great story, brings back memories.......

[melham74]

If i was to go back for another (no chance) after reading your lovely story it would definately make me want a homebirth. Congradulations

[Jaxi]

WOW! I don't think I would have ever contemplated a water birth until reading this.

[Trish]

Congratulations on your beautiful homebirth.

Birthing at home really is the best feeling isn't it

[MantaRay]

Oh, that is so beautiful. What a lovely way to bring a baby into the world. Well done and thank you so much for sharing.

[Tobily]

Wow! well done and congratulations!
And how lucky are you having a chiro there to do your back like that? Sounds like bliss

[Tanstar]

Wow! Congratulations on the birth of your little princess and what an amazing birth story you will be able to tell her!

[Cassius2]

Thank you so much for telling this beautiful story. What a beautiful experience! You have inspired me and i can only hope that i have your strength when our time comes again. Thank you.

[Oshani]

What a beautiful story. You did an amazing job birthing your little bub

[Kazbah]

What an amazing birth recount - thankyou for sharing it.

Well done to all!!!!

[marcellus]

I'm so glad you posted your story Alina - sounds like it was a fantastic experience. I'm really happy you changed your mind about going to hospital - I definately want a home birth next time too!