Lauren’s birth Story – I Couldn’t have asked for a better birth experience !

Lauren’s Birth Story: I thought I’d share my amazing birth story!

Monday (36 weeks and 5 days) – Went to Pilates at 12.30 and didn’t feel myself if I’m honest, just really hot and not myself. Got home and ate lunch , was doing work calls outside and then walked into the kitchen and felt the runny clear liquid. My dog was going crazy trying lick it all he knew something was happening and started being really weird and barking at the smells. Went to the hospital and confirmed it was waters, baby healthy but they wanted  us to stay in until it happened or induce by Wednesday , we opted to sign release forms and go home.

Wouldn’t have felt confident to do that without Calmbirth. So happy we did as being at home and relaxed, my labour started pretty much straight away, just very light period pains and tightenings.

By 9pm it was starting to ramp a bit but I tried to sleep for a bit and wanted Jack to have some sleep. I laid in bed listening to the Calmbirth tracks which got me in the zone and distracted me. Had the tens machine on now and was boost for every contraction. Also tried picturing the big ones as massive waves that I had to surf and then the breaks as gentle waves just lapping against the shore. I also had the Miguel song ride that wave constantly in the my head  which was funny.

I left the bedroom and came into living room when I couldnt hold in the noises , lit some candles and just went with it. Jack came out about 1am as he heard me in pain, maybe at this point I should have gone to hospital ! But it was fine and I was still trying to be positive and getting all the love drugs from Jack by him just sitting next to me and supporting. We went back to bed for a while and I tried to manage but by this point I was really feeling the contractions. Jack kept reminding me to breathe which really helped, in for 4 and out for 4. Or just heavy breathing in and out ; any sort of pattern helps.

4am we went to the hospital and I’d got in the zone in the car, kept my eyes closed (wish I took sunglasses actually) and just went with it. Jack parked the car and I waited on a bench just trying to be calm but feeling the urge to push! In the lift I was really feeling the need to push and by the time we made it to the room I was 10cm dilated.

I wanted to get in the bath but the midwife told Jack there wasn’t time. She offered me gas and air which I loved to support the contractions, so I just sucked super hard when they came. I then ended up on my side with bum facing ceiling and Jack held my leg up, midwife put me in this position, and it was fine. Jack was right by head giving me sips of water and giving me encouragement (which really helped) , then the transition came and I had a break from contractions which felt amazing, I looked at Jack and said I’m so excited now in a really calm way (he said). Then midwife said push, said to feel his head in the vagina which was so motivating and the pushing started. I pushed with every contraction while blowing into gas and air. Then took a break in between. She was instructing me , at one point I pushed too hard in the break and that’s when I felt a burn so maybe when the tear happened.

I got too excited it was nearly over, so top tip is take it easy at the end , no rush to push the shoulders out etc. was pushing the way physio had taught me which was so helpful to understand. Then literally a few more pushes and he came out. It was honestly the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life to hold him for the first time with Jack. We were both just sobbing with happiness , pretty amazing. I was also just so relieved. The rest was a blur of skin to skin and then taken to surgery for the tear which I didn’t want to do as I was so sad to leave them. But was back after 2 hours and then we cried again and just had the most amazing 24 hours of ❤️ Couldn’t ask for a better experience overall!