Jennifer's Birth Story...

Birthing in water made all the difference to me.  My son was just shy of 10 lbs! I'm positive that I'd not have been able to give birth without loads of intervention had I not been in water.  It was also a very special experience for my husband - being in the water at the very end to catch the baby!

The baby boy in the pictures, Asher, is actually my third.  After a second degree tear with my last delivery and severe back problems, I was determined to avoid some, if not all of those problems this time around!  I knew about water births (I laboured in the water with my first) and initially decided to book into St. Thomas' to take advantage of their birth centre and pools.  I'd had a home birth with my second but it was not in water and I'd torn so badly I had to go into hospital to get stitches, so I thought if the hospital facilities were just down the hall it would be a better deal.  I really believe in the whole idea of home births so it was a hard decision to make, but I was afraid of a repeat of what had happened before.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, through tremendous support from my midwives I decided to try a home birth again - as long as I could have a pool. I'd read that water could help in all sorts of ways to prevent or, at the least, minimalise tearing.  Having the pool was the final confidence booster I needed!  

I did use the pool in the weeks leading up to the birth as my pelvis gave me a lot of problems.  What a relief!  It was also great to experiment with different positions beforehand and I looked forward to the relief I knew water would bring when I was in labour.  I started having contractions on Friday evening and was positive it was the real thing - until Sunday morning came and I was still only having erratic contractions.  

My midwives came over to have a look, late Sunday morning and we decided I should get in the pool for a few hours.  Either that would relax me so much it would make it all stop, and I could get some rest - or it would kick everything off.  As much as I wanted that baby, I have to confess I was hoping it would all stop so I could rest!  However, a few hours later we had to call the midwives back because labour was in full swing.  I mentioned before that if I'd not had a pool I would not have given birth to this baby without loads of intervention and this is why:  

Although it took a while for labour to be established, the contractions I had this time round were different and more painful than the ones I had in previous deliveries.  So though they were erratic, they were quite painful from the beginning.  If I'd been in hospital - even in the birth centre - I'd have requested an epidural!  

If that had happened I'd have been on my back trying to push out a nearly 10lb baby, which wouldn't have worked and would have required (at the very least) an episiotomy and ventouse - or worse.  All my worst fears multiplied!

The water made all the difference.  It was still intense, but the mobility I had made it possible to cope right 'til the end when some gas and air did the rest! Being in water took all the pressure off my back and pelvis and made it 10 times easier for the midwives to examine and help me.  I finally delivered a beautiful baby boy on my knees.  And the best bit?  I didn't tear!  Not even a scratch!  

My husband and I also decided that he'd get in the pool at the very end to catch the baby.  What a magical thing for him to do!  He loved every minute of it.  What a difference in my son as well.

When I think of the measures it could have taken to get him out - and yet he came out in the most natural and peaceful way - it shows in his demeanour as well.  He's so peaceful and relaxed.  So after the euphoria and relief of finally having our baby out, there I was at home, in one piece, with a peaceful, huge baby boy and I can't imagine it gets better than that!  I am more grateful than I can say for having had access to a pool for labour.  I know it's a blessing that we live in a time were medicine can save the lives of babies and mothers - and offer pain relief when the mother wouldn't otherwise cope, but if I didn't believe in births with the least amount of intervention possible before, I am a full-on convert now.  

If you'd told me that I'd be able to give birth to a nearly 10lb baby without tearing and without any intervention, I wouldn't have believed it - but it just shows that given the right support and encouragement, and the right environment, women really can do what they were wonderfully designed to do!

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