Taryn Rose

I got pregnant the first time in October 2004 after trying for 8 years and being told there was less than a 1% chance.  At 8 weeks I bled, a scan revealed there was still a heartbeat, with relief I went home but I felt unwell all the time. At 13 weeks I had a major bleed (we had to wash the walls). I bled again at 17 and 22 weeks. Each time I went to hospital had a scan and went home. I saw a midwife to book me in at 10 weeks and a different one at 14 weeks. I had no follow up care or advice after the bleeds. I felt isolated and frightened. I also have factor IV liden deficiency, which meant I had to inject Clexane (an anticoagulant) daily, because of this.  The consultant would not discuss homebirth. He was very dismissive and ignored all my fears of hospital and any questions I had.  At 29 weeks my waters broke and I was transferred to Lister Hospital in Stevenage (120 miles from my home). Four days later my son, Blue was delivered by emergency caesarean and I haemorrhaged and had a blood transfusion. Blue weighed 3lb and spent 5 weeks in hospital. Although the care in Stevenage was excellent, it was a million miles from my dream of a natural homebirth. Also once we were transferred back to Thanet my aftercare was non existent.

I had a miscarriage in November 2006  but I fell pregnant again in 2007. I was adamant this pregnancy and birth was going to be different. I wanted to be cared for, reassured and supported. I did some research and found Kent Midwifery website. Kay’s experience with “difficult” pregnancies struck a cord with me. Here was a woman that believed in women’s abilities to give birth safely without unnecessary intervention.

As soon as I met Kay I felt confident that I would be looked after. My pregnancy progressed well. I started the Clexane injections. Kay came with me to see the haematologist and obstetrician. It was wonderful to have home visits and not have to worry about my toddler son playing up at a clinic. Kay was always at the end of the phone if I was worried about anything. She gave me loads of literature to read and answered all my questions, if she didn’t know something she researched it and got back to me. She even taught me more about my blood condition.

I read everything I could find on hypnobirthing techniques, water births, homebirths and the entire pro’s and cons of birth. I had a particularly difficult meeting with my consultant when I was 21 weeks. He said I was being unrealistic to want a homebirth and because of my history there was a great risk me or my baby would die. This obviously upset me greatly, so Kay and I had a fantastic hour long meeting with a midwifery manager when we all discussed risks, labour care and statistics. I left that meeting reassured that I wasn’t putting myself or my baby at any greater risk by choosing to give birth at home.

Towards the end of my pregnancy Kay started to visit weekly and we discussed all the possible birthing problems, such as if the baby turned ‘back to back’ or the head was at an angle. I must have exhausted her with my questions and “what if” scenarios! But Kay was so patient and took the time to explain everything and describe any techniques she would use if such a thing would happen.

On Thursday 4th October at about 9pm I started to get tightnings every 5 minutes. There was no pain so at midnight I went to bed. Through the night I had to use the loo every hour or so but there was still no pain. I got up at 6.30am convinced the baby was on its way so I had a mad clean up. By 9am the house was spotless and my son was at nursery but the tightening had stopped – nothing at all! I spoke to Kay who said it could have been Braxton Hicks and we just had to wait and see. Feeling very fed up I spent the morning reading and dozing. My husband Peter had stayed home from work so after lunch we went to bed (I’d read that sperm can bring on labour!) and 15 minutes after the ‘deed’ my waters broke, it was 1.30pm. I phoned Kay but as I still didn’t have any contractions she said to phone back when they had started and were every 3 minutes. At 2pm my contractions started every 2 minutes. I practise Buddhism so I sat on my birthing ball and chanted to take my mind off of it while Peter started to fill the pool. After half an hour I wanted to move about so I sorted the washing and made childcare arrangements for Blue!

At 3pm I spoke to Kay who said she was going to have something to eat then phone me back. By 3.15pm I felt the need to concentrate so I tried the hypnobirthing techniques but found it impossible to lay down and relax, I wanted to move so I started marching up and down the lounge chanting loudly. Kay phoned at 3.30pm to say she was on her way and I carried on marching and chanting! By 4.45pm I wanted to get into the pool but Kay had said to wait until she arrived so she could check me over.  Peter phoned her to see where she was. She was 2 miles away in traffic and told Peter to let me get in the pool. This was the first time I had any self-doubt. I wasn’t sure I would cope without pain relief if I was only 5cm dilated, little did I realise I was fully dilated and ready to go. I got into the pool and it was bliss, for 2 minutes I felt like I was floating in space then suddenly I got on my knees, looked at Peter and said “I need to push”. He was great; he patted my arm and said if that’s what I need to do then do it but Kay’s not here yet!

Suddenly Kay walked into the room dropped a mirror into the water and informed me my baby had a lot of hair and I should do what my body was telling me to do. Five pushes later Taryn Rose was born into the water at 5.20pm.



I lifted my leg and sat down in the water as Kay lifted Taryn Rose out and passed her to me. I laid her on my chest as we waited for the cord to stop pulsing. Then Peter cut the cord and wrapped her in warm towels. I then got out of the pool and lay on the floor, Peter and Kay wrapped me in towels and blankets as I started to shiver uncontrollably, I was in shock that the birth had happened so quickly. I thought it would be at least 12 hours not 3 ½, I hadn’t had a back rub or eaten my ice lollies! Kay then gave me an injection to deliver the placenta. 15 minutes after Taryn Rose was born, I was sitting on the sofa giving her a breast feed.



Kay stayed until 8pm. We had tea, toast and chocolate. had a vitamin K injection and weighed in at 5lb 7oz, a little dolly.

It was great to lay in my bath and to get into my own bed and snuggle up to my husband. I can’t recommend home births enough. My labour and birth were a mental and physical challenge but the most amazing experience of my life.



Thank you Kay for believing in me and my ability to give birth!