Birth Story

Yes, OK. I know not everyone wants to hear my birth story. So if you are one of those don’t read this...if you are like me and like all the detail, enjoy!
It all started on Monday the 5th October at about 5am. My waters broke as I got out of bed. I was suprised as my due date was 2 and ½ weeks away. I expected the contractions to start there and then but nothing was happening. Andy phoned delivery suite and they asked for us to go in just to check all was fine as we couldn`t tell if waters were clear or not. They monitored baby`s heart beat and checked the fluid and all seemed fine. The midwife talked about booking an induction for the next morning. I was sure I wanted to avoid induction and they made sure I had the NICE guidelines, spoke a registrar and was informed of the risks of leaving it too long. I didn’t agree to setting a time for induction though as I really wanted it to happen naturally. I agreed to ring delivery suite back after 24hours to discuss. There were no contractions over the 24hours. We rang back the next day and baby was monitored in the morning. He was really happy, with a good heart beat, just no signs of labour. We agreed to ring back in 48hours but I could tell they were not very happy to leave it and I was told I was going against hospital policy. We had time to get things sorted at home and even went out for coffee after the hospital appointment. I started to panic a little and the birth seemed an eternity away. I was comforted to know from my googling that 9 out of 10 women go into labour within 48 hours of their waters breaking.
On Wednesday in the early hours of the morning I felt some twinges. Contractions by 1am were so strong I told Andy to get things ready and ring his parent. Focusing on the pain as something meaningful and telling myself it was bringing the baby to me, helped a lot. Using the TENS machine was also really helpful. I was surprised to use it so early on in the contractions and thought this may be a sign the baby was on its way quicker than I thought. Andy got me in the car as soon as I made a big groan and pushing face with a contraction, without giving me or delivery suite the option of going in or not. Quite perceptive really as when we got into the delivery room at about 4am, within 30mins I wanted to bear down and no midwife left us unattended. Andy, my advocate asked about my wished water birth. We were told there was no chance of this because of the risk of infection due to my waters breaking so long before labour had started.
I started to instinctively bear down in a semi squat. I was offered gas and air but felt at this point the contractions were helping me to feel how to push, so I declined. The midwife suggested squatting on the bed and then a birth stool to get into a position best for pushing the little one out. The midwife then wanted to check there was no anterior lip as I had one before with my previous labour. During an examination on my back on the bed I had a contraction. She said that that push had been really good and I continued to push, hitching my legs up. It’s funny I didn’t expect to be pushing on my back but it seemed to do the trick. Eventually with a lot more focus and pushing I could feel the baby`s head crowning and it stung like anything. Under the midwife`s instruction I used a panting breath and the baby`s head was born. It was amazing to see him emerge and be put straight onto my chest, all taking his first breath and his first gaze in my arms.
It was so special to hold him there and also be able to have physiological third stage (where you give birth to the placenta yourself). I ended up with only 1 stitch which I did have gas and air for.
Recovery has been quick and straight forward. He is feeding well and is such a lovely addition to our family.

Quinn Ephraim Stephenson

Our baby boy, Quinn Ephraim Stephenson arrived two weeks early on the 7th October at 6.07am. 7lb3oz Born naturally, with no pain relief (WHAT!!) and a very short labour which was a big suprised to me. He is perfect in every way.