Steph – 3rd Baby

Surprise Baby Girl
Planned Home Pool birth
Actual Home Pool birth
8lb 11oz
41+4

Previous 2 births also been planned Home Birth.

I hit my due date on 17/11/23 and there were no signs, whatsoever that baby was making an appearance. My midwife has been absolutely stellar throughout. Listened to my every want and helped me have as few appointments as I felt necessary.

I ended up having 4 sweeps as I was being pressured and coerced into Induction and even had an appointment with the hospital made on 29th November, even though I wasn't sure I'd actually attend but let them make the appointment to shut them up.

After my 4th sweep I went about my day, resting until the school run. No real movement other than the normal cramping you experience after a sweep. I'd been walking walking walking. Up hills, down hills. Anything to try and jiggle about as my homebirth was becoming increasingly unlikely with each passing day. I now know different and wish I'd been even more informed and stubborn and I'd have said to no to sweeps and turned down induction (and I'm already as stubborn as a mule and still felt pressured).

In the evening of 27th I could feel the light cramping and contractions and they continued all night. Not enough to wake me up. By 8am when hubby was off to take the 2 children to school/pre school and head to work, I told him today was the day. Get to work, set your team up and head back home (he's only 5 minutes away). I called my mum who is always present and told her she can come over as it was happening today. I had some breakfast and went about my day. The weather was cold and wet so my ideas of getting out for a walk just wasn't feasible as I couldn't put many layers on as they irritated me. So I set up my living room, pool was inflated but not filled.

Hubby came home and mother arrived. Called the midwives who were happy I'd gone 'spontaneously' as they knew how much I wanted my HB. My midwife who I had all through, who advocated for me throughout, was poorly so someone else was coming. I'm super laid back so that didn't bother me. Lady turned up and I'd seen her a couple times before and really connected with her so that made me happy. I'd elected for no VEs so she just took blood pressure and temp. Asked how I was and about any shows etc. I changed my pad as discharge was coming out, she saw that the water was yellow/greeny and pulled a face. Said it was a sign baby had pooed. Cue the talk of transfer BUT she said let me call hospital as it isn't lumpy. Called hospital who said 'no, she can stay home, she's happy and experienced, let her crack on'. In a world of coercion, how good is this to hear? I didn't realise how lucky I was to have an NHS trust like this.

Anyway, time presses on and contractions continue to grow. Each one I linked my hands behind Hubby's neck, stood up and let him take some of my weight while I swayed and 'mooed' through the contraction. I needed this every time so wouldn't let him go far. He's over 6 ft so a great leaning pole. My 5ft 2 mother had to do this a couple of times and that just wasn't the same! Each contraction I could feel baby bearing further and further down my canal and that natural opening. It was almost a relief to feel it each time.

By 12 I was asking to get in the pool (why did I feel th need to get permission is beyond me) but we didn't want contractions to 'go off' so I persisted on land for a bit longer. 12.30 and I was in the pool and immediately felt myself calm down. On my knees, I could feel the baby really move down my canal and that bearing down sensation was starting. I had been telling midwives and they just replied 'yes that's good' The contractions had now become pretty spicy and I was talking far less, trying to get in the zone where I could turn the pressure, intensity and pain into strength and determination. I had gas and air to get through the contractions. If anything I don't use it for the gas but I bite on the mouth piece and it's a distraction for me.

I had 2 contractions in the pool and then had the sensation to push. About 12.40 my hubby looked at my rear end and said 'oh yeah I can see some wisps of blood' and this finally perked up the midwives attention. They looked properly and saw the top of the head. My body was telling me to push and so I gave into that natural urge and pushed. I could feel the head with my hands. This was happening fast so the midwives urged me to calm down, as they could sense the urgency in me. 'breathe the baby out now, Steph, slow and steady'. I'm grateful for this as I didn't know a really fast delivery could be damaging. Seemed ages until the next contraction came but it did and I breathed out the head. Contraction went off and I maintained the pressure but didn't push. I hope that makes sense? Next contraction came and I birthed the body. Turned baby over in front on me, under water. I lifted baby up and onto my chest whilst I sat back out of my weird goblin