Baby Bobbie is now 6 weeks old, and I’ve found it very therapeutic writing out my birth story. I cannot tell you how valuable all your knowledge and teachings have
been, as well as the new mother relaxation audios. I found the hormone fluctuations of the first 2 weeks incredibly difficult, and the audios were the only way I could get to sleep. I feel like I owe you endlessly! I have sung your praises to anyone who would listen, and subsequently convinced my friend to book in on one of your courses. 😊
Thank you so much for enabling the best birth experience I could have imagined.
In the lead up to giving birth, I had a lot of braxton hicks, and what I ended up referring to as ‘Fake labour’. I kept telling myself that there was value in them, and that my body knew what it was doing, in the pursuit of not becoming frustrated. I hoped that they would result in a shorter active labour, and how right I was! The week before, I would experience regular tightenings every evening for a good few hours, which would then eventually taper off. I had to tell myself it wasn’t the real thing every time, to stop myself getting too excited and then disappointed when it wasn’t it. The first time it happened, I spent the next day trying to encourage it to pick up again but to no avail. Of course, baby would only come when she wanted to!
Wednesday I texted my friend saying, I bet it’ll be tomorrow. But even still, didn’t get too excited. Standard braxton hicks started that night, and I went to bed. I woke up around midnight, and my husband asked how I was doing. The tightenings hadn’t stopped, so I said to him – things are happening, but they’re happening slowly.
I woke up about 3 30, with what felt like very obvious contractions. I started timing them, with the first few being 10 minutes apart. I remembered what people had said about the tens machine being more effective if used early, so decided to put it on. I woke my husband up to help me put it on, and again told him we had plenty of time and to go back to sleep. I knew this could go on for a long time as a first time mum.
Within about half an hour, my contractions were every 2-3 minutes, and I had to bend over and lean on something with each wave. I woke my husband up again and he could see straight away how it had ramped up. We quickly called the birth centre, who told us to come in.
He frantically packed the rest of our bits, and ushered me into the car. I was worried about the car journey but it was surprisingly manageable, I just leant forward in the seat. We arrived at the birth centre and went to the birthing room, which already had a full pool and calm ambient lighting and music on. My husband put my birth playlist on and diffuser – it was lovely.
My birth plan said one examination upon arrival, and no more. I found it really difficult to lay down long enough to have the exam, every part of my body was telling me to bend over and lean forward. The midwife said I was 3cm, and I felt a little disappointed. She said it was up to us if we stayed or went home again, but my husband knew that we should stay. He knew that KGH births could be quick, and had seen the quick progression already. I decided not to be disheartened by it, and focused back in on myself and my baby. I was so grateful that my husband knew all the same information I did, and could be my advocate and make decisions without me having to say anything.
Time was a bit of a blur from that point, but I was aware of some comings and goings. The midwife said they would check on me every hour, which seemed like forever. It went quickly though, and I distinctly remember realising a point where they didn’t leave again, which I could take as confirmation of progression.
The waves were very frequent without much relief, which lead the Midwives to suspect a back to back baby. I really felt it all in my lower back. They helped me with some positions to encourage baby into a good position, although in my heart I knew she wasn’t back to back. I tried them out but carried on listening to what my body wanted to do, predominantly hanging off my husband. I remember thinking after hypnobirthing that I thought we’d be shown some positions. But once I was in labour I realised how pointless that was, as your body really knows where it wants to go instinctively.
They encouraged me to eat, but it made me feel sick. I had a few mouthfuls of toast. At one point, I remember thinking, if I was in hospital I’d probably be making enquires to an epidural now. I also told my husband I didn’t think I could do it. In hindsight, I think I was transitioning, which I remember Katherine explaining can be a turning point where you want to throw in the towel. At this point I also switched the playlist to the hypnobirthing relaxations. I also started second guessing if I should have more examinations. The Midwives were brilliant and so on board with my birth plan, but I could half register my husband asking them questions and them saying, we can’t say as we aren’t doing examinations. I was so so tempted to have one and know where I was. But firstly, I knew I’d hate laying on my back again. And secondly, I knew that if the progression was slow, it would really set me back mentally. So I went with it.
As I say, at this point things were very intense. I suddenly realised though that the very lovely and respectful Midwives weren’t offering me pain relief, as per my birth plan, and I could ask for it. I asked to get in the pool and have some gas and air, to which they said of course. It was a real relief having both. Not long after, I felt sudden pressure. It felt very soon, but I always had the innate feeling that my body knew what it was doing. It was painful, but natural, and not scary. Again, I had that feeling of, how funny that I thought I should be told how to push. I wasn’t doing anything, my body was.
The Midwives were so casual and nonchalant the whole time, calmly going about their business. I remember thinking at my slightly panicked transition stage, why aren’t they doing anything! Can’t they see what’s happening! They could of course, and were happily letting me do my thing. They were incredible. By the time the pressure feeling started, I was so insular and in the zone. Sometimes people would talk to me and I couldn’t even respond. The midwife would ask me to move closer to her to check baby’s heartbeat, and in the end I couldn’t even respond to that. I remember noticing them redying their equipment on a trolley, and being aware of them checking with a mirror. I was relieved to have evidence of progression, as still, a big part of me was so accepting that this could take ages as a first time mum.
My waters still hadn’t gone, and my body was pushing with every wave. I was so happy leaning forward in the pool, holding my husbands hands and staying relaxed in my body, soul playlist playing in the background. With one surge I squeezed my husbands hand so tight, then remembered to relax and immediately let go again. He said afterwards he thought I was going to break his wrist! I have no doubt though that staying relaxed helped the progression and my demeanor so much.
I could feel baby making her way down, and the Midwives told me to feel – my waters were bulging out and it was like a balloon! It was absolutely crazy. I knew they were still in tact for a reason. Eventually they burst, and there was meconium in them. Baby girl was born 2 minutes later. I cannot say how grateful I am that they didn’t go earlier, as I would have been encouraged to transfer to hospital.
Roberta was born at 9 58am, just 6½ hours after I woke up, and around 2 hours of active labour. I was in a bit of shock as the Midwives told me to pick up my baby, she was here. I reached down and pulled her out of the water, as she threw her arms up and had a look around at us. She didn’t cry, but I wasn’t worried. I knew she was OK. They gave her a rub down and eventually she let out a cry. We both cried as we stared down at our perfect baby girl.
After some time, I got out the pool, and laid down. She latched on straight away and started to feed. The placenta hadn’t come out yet, so after a while the Midwives told me to try and sit on the toilet, where it immediately flopped out! They were a little concerned that I hadn’t had a wee in hours, but I knew that as soon as I was relaxed in one of the bedrooms, it would happen. And I was right. Throughout the whole process,
. Of course if something had happened, I would have taken the medical advice. But it was the most natural thing in the world, with no concerns. And they didn’t think she was back to back in the end – just a speedy girl!
Thanks again,
Georgie, Harry & Bobbie x
May, 2025
and then