Hi Sandra,
just wanted to let you know Hazel Frances Harper 7lb arrived on Sunday!
both she and I had a really good birth,things started at 2am but it wasn’t until 3am that I really belived that she was on her way. I listened to the CD and phoned HRI at 7.30 at Richards request, my contractions were 5 mins apart but didn’t seem too bad or to last that long and they said they’d let the home birth midwife know as the one coming on duty lived less than 3 miles from me. They said she’d pop in when she came on duty which was fine with me. Her name was Shelia and she was terrific . She came at about 8.30 we had a chat and I said I felt I was probably not even dilated cos things really weren’t that bad, she had a feel of my tummy and said to get something to eat before things really kicked off and she’d fill in the paper work and for Rich to pump the pool up.
After she’d filled in paperwork she talked through my birth plan with me and I explained that I’d didn’t want to get in the pool too early as it stopped my labour last time, she also asked were there words I’d like her to use as was really receptiive to both Richard and I’s needs. I’d been using a tens machine as well as the hyponbirthing music and at 10.10 I thought the pool would be more comfortable so asked if she would do a VE to see where I was at. However as she put her gloves on I felt the need to push and then we both knew baby H was going to be with us a little sooner than expected. Full credit to Shelia who at 9.30 phoned work and said she thought this birth may well be a bit unpredictable as I was extremely calm but this was a hypnobirth so if the 2nd MW could be around that would be useful.
Hazel joined us at 10.17 !, no drugs, no gas and air , no pool !!!, although it looked lovely in the kitchen with a beautiful morning in our garden.
Thank you very much the hyponobirthing course delivered exactly what I wanted it too, Rich had more idea what to do and used the light touch massage ( so did Rhys at 6am) I can’t say it was pain free but I felt calm and safe the whole time and would definitely recommend it to anyone else. I also know that if we had’t opted for a home birth there is no way we would have got to HRI. Shelia was brilliant and loved the birth, doing just what was needed when Hazel arrived and Hazel and both felt calm.