The extra 45mins that gave Kristy the birth she wanted
Birth Story by Kristy, Positively Hypnobirthing Mum
“Jake asking for that time gave us the chance to have our birth story we wanted. Gave my body that last bit it needed and gave me the strength to know I could do it my way.”
I had been having on and off mild surges for a few days, so when I woke just before 6 in the morning with a different feeling surge and instinctively knowing it was the start of my labour. I hadn’t had the best sleep the night before with such tightness, so I knew I needed to go back to bed, get some rest for the day ahead of me.
I woke about 9 with closer surges and pressure I messaged Jake not to rush home from work but I believe it was the start and would have baby by the days end. I spoke to my midwife, my mum and my sister and let them know also (also my birth support team).
I was happy to fuel up and eat and be in my own zone at home alone and put on a movie to occupy my mind as the surges were still not intense or as frequent as they come.
Jake arrived home and laid with me, doing light touch and reminding me to breath and how amazing I was through the surges. Between surges we actually played uno and had banter – he knew how to keep me calm, feeling loved and secure while the waves got bigger and stronger.
By the time we invited my mum over in the afternoon Jake had my baby play list of soft music I had chosen playing – while we had been singing certain songs to keep me focused or I used the music to sway / rock my body through a surge.
We laboured at home for hours between the shower kneeling (the warm water helped me through so much of my labour), on the floor leaning on the exercise ball or on the bed on all fours over a pillow.
Jake had me calm doing light touch through each surge, reminding me to relax my face and nice slow breathing- he would pull my focus back when I wanted to lose focus.
The light touch and the love from Jake, my mum and my sister when she arrived, gave me the ability to labour at home until 1.5-2 mins apart and lasting a minute.
We headed to the hospital and arrived there about 5pm. My midwife walked into the birth Centre suite to me vomiting, wanting time to use my bowels and had the purple line on the back of my bum… all signs of transition. We all thought she would be there any moment.
I got in the bath and laboured and wanted to start to push. I pushed for 45 mins and nothing had happened. My midwife has asked if okay to examine me.
My body was ready for transition but my cervix as a first time mum hadn’t caught up with my body… I was only 5 cm and now had a swollen cervix.
I had pushed bub’s head against it.
This meant my labour was to continue, with no pushing if I wanted until the cervix moved out of her way and dilated. I used the gas as now the surges were a little more pressure.
After the blood loss had increased because of the swollen cervix it was more of a challenge of a labour. The midwife had known my choices but medically had to offer an epidural or morphine to help relax my body enough to let the cervix move out of the way, as it was stubborn.
Against my choices I had considered as the labour just continues without it budging and the pressure was intense as the swollen cervix meant more intense pressure then before. I was handling all the pressure and the epidural was purely suggested to relax body enough to move it and allow baby down.
I turned to Jake and my midwife after agreeing to the epidural stating “I feel I have failed”.
My midwife who knew my choices said “we won’t do it unless it’s a want”. And helped me through a few more surges they both did.
I had wrapped my head around the fact this was my birth story and this change to it didn’t mean I failed and I could accept and still have a birth even with the choice change.
Jake noticed blood loss ease up and asked if we could wait until midnight (45 more mins) before doing the epidural – knowing my choices and knowing if we didn’t go through with it at least I mentally could handle my choice as I gave it my all.
Thank goodness he did!
10-15 mins later I was asking my midwife to check my cervix and see if it moved as my body was trying to push my girl down and I needed to push as my midwife checked me, it moved out of the way and my girl came out 11.56… Jake asking for that time gave us the chance to have our birth story we wanted. Gave my body that last bit it needed and gave me the strength to know I could do it my way.
Our Violet Anne graced us with her presence after a longer, but so worth it, day. I am beyond blessed and excited to have her in our arms and we have never been so in love
“Kate was simply amazing! I am such a on-the-go over thinker and was quite nervous as a first time mum before I found Kate. I had heard amazing things and did some reading about the benefits and beautiful birth stories with the guidance of hypnobirthing… Kate has guided my confidence as mother-to-be and a women ready for birth! Before deciding on the course I contacted Kate and she helped ease any questions I had. Kate also has helped my partner beyond any amount I expected. As the loving partner and funny guy he is, he came along to the course unsure what it was all about. He and I both gained so much information and feel so informed about all of our choices when it comes to birthing our little girl in a few months. I feel supported not only by my now educated partner but Kate if I have any questions along the rest of my Journey. If you are questioning whether hypnobirthing is for you… the answer is yes! Thanks again Kate, blessed to have found you in our Journey! Never thought it was possible to be so calm about the birth and excited for it!”
