Birth Stories

Cathy and Hannah’s Birth Story

Baby Hannah arrived safe and sound on Saturday afternoon. My waters broke Saturday morning, not like the last time where I knew for sure it was my waters but much smaller. So I rang the Coombe and they said come in to just be sure. So took my time as has only small pains and headed in a couple of hours later. In there they confirmed it was my waters however, given the light contractions I headed for home until they were full on or had to back for 11 that night to go on antibiotics. Got home and went for a walk, had some food and even got a little nap in.

At 2.30 decided maybe another walk so we headed off but a few minutes down the road contractions started to come faster and more painful. So we turned around and I felt it was time for the hospital. Again from all your guidance I just tried my best to listen to my body and what I felt we needed to do.
In the assessment unit I was only 1–2 dilated but the pains were coming thick and fast. As the pain was bad I was really considering the epidural. They admitted me and then an hour or so after that my waters went again and I reallly feeling pressure and just pushing down and doing what I needed to do. I had to be on all fours on the bed to help anyway. I demanded to be checked again as I really felt the head was pushing down and then checked and yes moved me straight to delivery at 5.20.

When I got to the delivery suite I was met by Eilish in the Coombe who was absolutely fantastic and having her and mark I did become a little calmer. As to be honest, the contractions were coming so fast I had very little time for a break and this was scaring me a little as I did feel like at times I don’t know if I can keep going. I kept repeating all the positive affirmations you bring us though in class, like the contractions are not bigger than me etc..and that I can do this as both I and my baby know what we are doing. Breathing again such a key focus as best I could. Given how far I went there was no time for an epidural even though I really wanted it but Eilish was guiding me though and I trusted in her. After an hour in delivery suite Hannah joined us. She was placed on me and we had delayed corde clamping for at least 15-20 minutes, and then mark got to cut the cord. The placenta was delivered and thankfully I didn’t need any stitches.
She then spent about an hour and half on me and then some breastfeeding. She wasn’t weighed or cleaned or anything. We were just left to have our time. I went for a shower where mark had skin to skin and eventually she was weighed and changed and we moved to our room. It was such an amazing experience to have that time. We used it wisely and put the phone away and made the calls afterwards. It was something we will never get back and recommend it, everyone else can hear afterwards but to have that bubble for that time you will always remember.
Thank you so much for your classes. They truly help for all stages and I will be forever grateful for that.
I look forward to hopefully joining baby massage Take care and chat soon xxx