Eloise’s Birth Story

Our baby was due on Saturday 4th November and somehow I had managed to convince myself that it would be early (and that it would be at least 8 and a half pounds!)



By Wednesday 8th I was pretty fed up- and worried that this baby was getting bigger by the minute.  I had tried reflexology, curries and long walks so Kay, offered to come round and do a sweep.  She left at 3.30pm and that night I started having fairly regular, but mild contractions.  At 3am I woke and, as they were coming a little stronger, thought I would put my tens machine on.  By 7.30am they were 15 mins apart so my husband David had decided to work from home.

When our daughter Catherine (16 months old) woke, we brought her into bed for a cuddle; it was another half an hour before I realised that the contractions had stopped.  We went down for breakfast and when an hour had passed and still nothing, I decided to try climbing the stairs, over and over.  Unfortunately, all that did was just remind me how fat and unfit I had become!

My sister Tracey, came round and we agreed that a brisk walk down the high street might do the trick, so we set off to the post office.

Still nothing after lunch, so Kay came back at 2.30pm to try another sweep. She said that the contractions overnight had not been in vain and I had progressed from 1cm yesterday, to 2-3cm. She left again advising me to call when I needed her.

Around 4pm the contractions seemed to be coming more frequently and Tracey thought she should start timing them. They went from 10 mins to 4 mins apart between then and 6.30pm.  We sat with Catherine while she had her tea and when I got a contraction, she very sweetly patted my back!  At 7pm, when David was putting Catherine to bed, I decided that my Su Doku book and tens machine were no longer enough of a distraction and asked Tracey to call Kay to come over with the gas and air.

During this time, I kept referring to my notes from Catherine's birth last year.  I really felt that I needed to mentally prepare myself for another long labour.  With her I had fully expected to give birth around 11pm, the contractions were so intense and close together, I just remember saying "how much longer until I can push?!"  She wasn't born until 5.15am and I found the last 4 or 5 hours incredibly intense.  Although I knew this time was likely to be quicker, I really needed to prepare myself for the same.  So at 7pm, with the contractions coming every 3-4 mins, I calculated that I had at least another 6 or 7 hours ahead.

As a result, I wouldn't let David start preparing the pool or room until Kay was on her way and the contractions were less than 4 mins apart.  When Kay did arrive at 8pm, the contractions were intense and it took me several minutes to make it up the stairs to the shower.  However, still I declined her offer to take the gas and air up with me, thinking that I would need it more in the hours to come.

The shower helped and I went back downstairs to the lounge where David was filling the pool.  Leaning over the kitchen chair (in the lounge), I finally allowed myself to start on the gas and air, and immediately went into a fit of giggles!  It's great stuff.  I remember joking to Kay that it was better than last time and she must have a better dealer now. 

Tracey put my hypnobirthing tape on, and when I concentrated on it, I did find the contractions less intense, and momentarily worried that they were easing off again!

At 9pm I dared to ask Kay whether she thought the baby was likely to be born before midnight, she said yes and advised that she was going to start preparing the room.  At this point, I was pleading to get in the pool, but with a whole tank of water in it, it was not deep enough and we needed to wait for the tank to reheat again to fill it up.  Poor Dave was panicking about it not being ready, but it was completely my fault as I wouldn't let anyone make preparations any earlier.

Then, after what seemed like only 10 or so strong contractions later, I had what I can only describe as an almost out of body experience.  It was as though I was completely taken over by instinct. My body just “did its thing”, and the first I was really aware was afterwards, when I had this "coming up" sensation, like I was coming out of hypnosis.  I could hear voices but it took a few moments to place them.  I think my first words were, "Hey, what happened to the pool?!"  I then looked down and Eloise had been placed by Kay between my legs; I just scooped her up for a cuddle.  It was amazing, I just couldn't believe she was here already, it was only 9.35pm!

After a long cuddle, gazing into each other's eyes, it occurred to me to see if we had a son or daughter.  I lifted her up to check!  Tracey then called Mum (who lives up the road) and she raced down to cut the cord.  I let Mum have a cuddle while I got into the pool to ease the after contractions.  After an hour or so, the placenta was delivered.

Kay checked us over and we had toast and honey and a cup of tea whilst Eloise latched on for her first feed.  Dad arrived, and then Nan called- it was a real family affair!

I was in bed by midnight and both the girls slept through.

I can honestly say that my home birth experience was 100% positive and dare I say it, even enjoyable! Giving birth to my two beautiful girls at home have been the proudest moments of my life. I genuinely believe that my experience would have been entirely different without the first class care and support I received throughout my pregnancies from Kay. Her calm, caring and professional nature gave me the confidence in myself to give birth without the “security” of a hospital. I would (and do!) highly recommend her.