Baby Eli's home birth
2015
Third baby
Lived in: Whangarei, Northland
WHERE WAS YOUR PLANNED PLACE OF BIRTH?
Home birth
WHERE WAS YOUR ACTUAL PLACE OF BIRTH?
Home birth
ELI'S BIRTH
This is the story of my son Eli's awesome home birth. I'm writing this down not only for others to read but also for myself! See Eden's home birth for my last baby's birth story ;)
How was your health during pregnancy?
My health was great and I had no complications. No bleeding like my previous pregnancies. My pregnancy flew by as I was very busy with my other children, especially my toddler.
What type of care did you have, eg independent midwife, hospital midwife team, obstetrician?
An awesome team of midwives
How did your labour and birth start / what signs?
I had been having Braxton hicks for weeks but had them at night for the first time on the 5th Feb, starting at 12am. They weren't painful but enough to keep me awake.
I woke up at 7am, went to the toilet and found I'd had my show. I wasn't excited - I thought 'no I can't go into labour in the next few days!' I had my daughters 4th birthday party planned for that Sunday the 8th. Her real birthday wasn't til the 15th but we had planned to have it a week early, which just happened to be my due date as given my history of going overdue. I figured I was ALOT more likely to go into labour a week late rather than on my due date. I couldn't cancel she would be heart broken. After doing some googling I felt better - labour could still be weeks away after having your show.
How did labour progress?
I had a midwife appointment a few hours later, told her what had been happening. She said 'that's ok just have this baby tonight and you'll be right for the birthday party Sunday' as I left she said 'I have a feeling we'll be having a baby tonight', 'nah no way' I said.
Contractions continued through out the day and by the time I picked my daughter up from daycare at 2.30pm they were getting abit ouchy. I still wasn't convinced though.
By the time hubby got home at 5pm I knew it was the real deal. Baby was coming whether I liked it or not!
Through my contractions I pushed my 16 month old on the swing, cooked dinner, fed the kids, bathed them and put my toddler to bed (thinking to myself next time I see you, you'll be a big sister!) keeping busy and moving was good!
Mother-in-law picked the older kids up and (between my contractions) I felt a wee bit sad my 3 year old was having her first sleep over away from mum and dad.
I called first midwife and told her I would be needing her later, she called second midwife who called me back at 6.50pm to see how I was. Told me to call her back when the contractions started getting more intense. I txted my mum to come down.
I had a long shower and started leaning over the bed for some of my contractions.
8.50pm - I got hubby to call MW to come over and asses me. She arrived at 9.30pm and checked me - 8cm woohoo!
Second MW turned up 5 minutes later and set up for birth.
My mum turned up at 9.50pm.
I kept leaning over the couch for my contractions and tried to join in on conversation as much as I could in between them!
10.40pm - went to toilet then MW told me to walk down to the bedroom (she didn't want me to go back to the same position in the lounge as she needed me to move around so baby - who was posterior, would turn around)
10.48pm - walked down to the bedroom and had one big contraction standing up then went back to kneeling. This time over the bed.
10.53pm - started pushing and my waters finally went.
10.54pm - baby crowning!
10.55pm - baby born and caught by his dad! (as we'd planned)
11.01pm - my mum cut the cord and I pushed the placenta out.
Fed baby and he had his check - weighing in at 9lb 10 oz.
Less than two hours later I was showered, cleaned and in my own nice cosy bed! Awesome feeling :)
My daughters birthday party still went ahead and she was very excited to have her 3 day old brother there! i never imagined baby would come early and be at the party - I was so sure he would be overdue like his sisters. So was my midwife.
What did the contractions feel like? did you feel them - tummy / back?
Contractions were all in my back due to baby's position. I knew he was posterior before MW arrived as my first baby was the same.
Where did you have your baby? Birth pool / hospital bed / home etc?
Kneeling over my bed, about a metre from where my last baby was born! (she was born on the bed).
•When did you call the midwife / go to hospital?
Called the MW about 6.30pm, the first time.
What kind of birth did you have c-section / vaginal / or any other assistance ie: drip with oxytocin hormone / forceps / ventouse / episiotomy etc?
Relaxed drug free home birth :)
How long was the labour, total? The pushing stage?
Unsure exactly - I think established labour was around 6.5 hours. Pushing stage was only a few minutes.
Did you have drugs / did you birth naturally?
Naturally
Did you have support people?
Hubby, mum and 2x midwives
Do you remember / know what position your baby was in anterior / posterior / breach etc?
Posterior
Things you would do the same?
I'm glad we were able to have another home birth
Things you would do differently?
I don't think I would change anything.
What advice would you recommend to other Northland mums / families?
Trust in your body. You CAN do. Breathe through your contractions, drop your shoulders and just ride the wave. If you tense up it makes it less bearable.
Find a midwife you really trust and click with - this is a must.
