Caroline's Birth Story...

It's definitely the best experience of my life so far!

My due date was 11/11/07. Nothing happened until the 17/11/07 when I had a show and was also booked in for a membrane sweep at midday. The midwife was extremely thorough (thought I was going to give birth then and there!) and immediately started to have quite strong contractions from then on. I picked up my other daughter from nursery at 3.30pm and by 6pm had to phone my brother for him to come and pick her up as my contractions were pretty strong. My husband set up the pool and heated it up. By 7pm he phoned the labour ward who wanted to speak to me (I suppose to gauge how strong the contractions really were). So between contractions I spoke to her and asked for a midwife to come to my home asap. I was given her mobile and carried on working through contractions watching 'Six Feet Under', very excited but having no idea what was about to happen. I wanted to check out the pool so I got in and immediately the contractions died down. At this point the midwife called saying she was doing her shopping at the supermarket and would be with me within the hour. I told her that I was in the pool and felt much better as the contractions had died down! She said in almost a shout, GET OUT, you're slowing down your labour!

So I did as I was told and from this moment on the contractions came back with a vengeance. When finally the midwives arrived at about 8.30pm (our flat didn't show up on her sat nav!) I was clenching onto the side of the pool in our front room in a kind of arched position, no longer taking any notice of the tv. They were great, set up their few pieces of equipment around what space was left in our small front room and chatted to my husband about the likelihood of me giving birth that night. The midwife said I was only 2cm dilated which I was at midday. This was a massive disappointment as I thought I was almost ready.  

June the main midwife said I was arching over too much and why don't I lean against the wall instead. After about three more contractions like this, which were so much more intense, (I had tears running down my face) my waters gushed from beneath me and then I it felt like the baby's head had slipped down into the birth canal.  From this moment on I was making noises only farm animals make and the midwives jumped up and started to gather their gloves and other bits. I said I needed the loo but they said I was in transition and needed to get into the pool. As is only right, I shouted I need a poo and marched off to the toilet, they rushed after me and layed out their birthing kit at the toilet door. As only midwives know, I didn't need a poo so rushed back to the pool and got in. Here, although I was only minutes away from giving birth was an amazing retreat, where I was in my own warm, watery space. I felt completely in control as I clenched onto the side, on my knees. The midwives were saying push Caroline push, but I was roaring so loudly I couldn't hear so had to shout and ask if I could push. I felt her head coming and wondered if I could push again, they said yes so I did.

After two major pushes out she gushed and rolled around in the pool a few times before we could catch her and up she came into the world. She was a bit blue and the midwife almost gave her oxygen but after 30 seconds of moving her about she started crying and was given to me where we sat both in the warmth of the water, me completely overwhelmed and exhilarated at the thought of what had just happened. She was a perfect ball of baby.  

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