Birth at home - one woman’s story

My labour started early one cold January morning. I woke up with a strange feeling low in my abdomen. It was the day my baby was due and I remember going to sleep thinking perhaps tomorrow would be the day. Everyone knows only 5% of babies are born on their due date, but I still could not help hoping. As it was our first baby, I was very excited.

Then that feeling came again, like a period pain, lasting only a few seconds then it was gone. Then there was nothing. I talked to my baby, just like I did every morning when I woke up. I gently massaged my bump, hoping my baby would move in response, just so I would know she was alright. Yes, I felt her move under my hand, she was fine.

Then again, that sensation, you could not call it pain, it was too mild. Perhaps this was it, the day I had been waiting for, the day I had imagined and wondered how I would cope with.

Gradually, those sensations became more regular and stronger. My husband had gone to work early, but he knew things may be happening, and kept in touch by telephone throughout the morning. I telephoned my midwife to let her know the situation, but I was happy and said I would call her later when I needed her.

Paul had come home by three o’clock because the contractions were becoming much stronger and I needed him with me. I had a shower and we just walked around. Every time I had a contraction, Paul would rub my back. We planned to have our baby at home so Paul began to get the birthing pool out and assembled as we were shown three weeks ago when the midwife dropped it off.

By six o’clock I felt I should call the midwife as I knew this was the real thing. She had told me to call her when the contractions were coming every five minutes, but my waters had not broken. I did not want to call her too soon, but at this point I was really uncomfortable during contractions.

When my midwife Chrissy arrived I still thought I had only just started labour properly, but she seemed to think it was well advanced. She told Paul to fill the pool or it would be too late to use. I was still not convinced, and thought I had hours to go. I started using the gas and air, which was really good, although it did make me feel a bit dizzy at first.

Chrissy helped me in the pool. It was wonderful. The contractions were coming so fast that they seemed almost continuous. Sometimes it made me feel like I needed to go to the loo, but I knew I didn’t. Gradually that sensation increased until I could not help but push with each contraction. I was leaning forward over the side of the pool with Chrissy massaging my back.

It was not until I heard Paul ask if I was in second stage and Chrissy answer that the baby was about to be born that I really believed I was almost there.

Chrissy asked me to sit back and between us we brought our baby to the surface. I shall never forget the look of surprise and wonder on Paul’s face as he looked on his daughter for the first time. We were all crying! It was one of the most momentous and magical moments of my life.

It was one of the most momentous and magical moments of my life.