My surges started at about 1100 on the 9th which was very exciting as I had been booked in for induction 3 nights later and wasn’t happy about that. I carried on with the things that needed to be done that day and went out for lunch with mum and generally had a pretty relaxing day.
I had a man come and lay carpet upstairs at about 5pm and he didn’t leave until 6pm. By then, my surges were about 10 minutes apart. I then (accompanied by Sam) walked the 20 minute walk to visit my best mate Sal and stayed at her place for an hour until my surges were 3 minutes apart and we thought that we had better get to the hospital.
We went into the hospital at 7.30pm and I was 4cm dilated and Sophie was born 3 hours later! Sam said that the environment and labour was very relaxing and a lot different from last time. We had Peter playing on our CD player for those few hours in the background and I of course had my tea tree to smell. It was great having the prompts from Peter on the CD player and I seemed to do a lot of standing, rocking and sitting. Sam was fairly quiet throughout and gave me a few prompts when the time was right, reminding me to breath slowly etc. The breathing was great and so helpful! (in for 4 and out for 4 worked for me). He also gave me back rubs etc.
I used gas and air briefly but then found that I had the urge to push
quite suddenly. All it took was about 6 gentle pushes and Sophie came out. I was on all fours on the bed (as I had requested) and I held her head and delivered her myself. The midwife stepped back and let me take over which was amazing. That position was so much better than last time and I would never give birth on my back again.
I found the whole experience so much better this time and the midwife was fantastic and very competent and supportive. That skin to skin contact with Sophie afterwards was so special and the midwife went off and left us alone with her for an hour before coming back and weighing/stitching etc.
So all in all we feel that the calmbirthing was well worth it and we
would recommend it.
Sophie is now a week old and feeding well/sleeping well and hardly cries at all! She still has not fully woken yet but no doubt she will start to over the next week or so. She is a beautiful baby and Lilly loves her role as big sister!