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From even before I fell pregnant I
was all set on taking ‘calmbirth®’
classes. I had read some very positive
stories in newspapers about women who
had used ‘calmbirth®’
techniques during birth and were able to
stay calm and avoid using drugs for pain
relief.
It was about 5.30 am on 26 Feb and I
awoke to mild period-type aches. I dozed
for a while then stood up to go to the
bathroom. I noticed I felt a little
sticky and sure enough upon closer
examination the mucous plug was coming
out. I put in a pad and went back to
sleep. Michael got up to get ready for
work around 7 am and as usual asked if I
was in labour. This time I was able to
say 'I'm not sure'. He looked excited.
We rang my doula, Tania to let her know
what was happening and she advised that
it could be very early stages and
Michael should go to work. I snoozed on
and off until 10.30 with the mild aches
continuing. Next trip to the toilet my
waters broke. I rang Tania again and she
said to ring my OB. His receptionist
paged him and he told her I was to come
in to the hospital. I rang Michael and
he came straight home and took me in.
By the time we got there the
contractions were around 12 minutes
apart and still manageable. A midwife
did the fetal baseline monitoring which
was all fine. I did the Herald Sun quiz
with Michael while we waited for the OB
and I started gushing amniotic fluid. OB
arrived and assessed that we should go
home for me to continue labouring. This
was fine with me, but the car ride home
again was terrible. My little Astra has
the tightest, bumpiest suspension!
At home the contractions steadily
increased 7 minutes apart, then 5. I put
on some music, and Michael started
massaging and pressing my sacrum. Next
we moved to the shower and he sprayed my
lower back with hot water, and gave me
great encouragement through the
contractions. I was really having to use
all my ‘Calm Birth’ breathing techniques
– the best I could manage was in for
eight counts and out for eight counts.
Got out of the shower and dried off. We
rang Tania, my mum and the hospital. By
now the contractions had been 3 minutes
apart for an hour. Time to go!
Michael packed me into the huge back
bench seat of his 1969 Valiant, and off
we went through peak hour traffic to the
hospital. It took about 20 minutes, but
thankfully the contractions slowed down
to 5 minutes apart during the ride,
while was a good thing, because Michael
took a turn down a side street which
seemed to have about 30 speed humps!
As soon as we arrived at the hospital
and were ushered into the birth suite,
the contractions picked up again. Having
to lie still during the fetal baseline
monitoring was really hard. The straps
kept slipping as I moved around.
Finally, they got a good read. The OB
arrived and did an internal. I was 7-8
cm dilated. By now it was around 7 pm
and it was time to get in the
(enormous!) bath. I sat on the toilet
while the bath filled and suddenly felt
like a cantaloupe was coming down my
back passage. I yelled really loud for
the entire contraction. Michael got me
into the bath with him. He massaged and
stroked me and started doing the
visualization techniques we learnt in
our ‘calmbirth®’
classes. He got me to think about our
honeymoon in the Daintree rainforest -
the beautiful plants, wildlife and
river. I breathed as best I could and
yelled again through the really intense
bits. Tania arrived and joined Michael
in stroking, encouraging and massaging
me. After more yelling from me, the
midwife said she thought I was probably
ready to push. Out of the bath and onto
the bed for another internal, and sure
enough I was 10 cm dilated. She started
instructing me to push, while I gripped
for dear life Michael and Tania's hands.
The OB arrived and he and the midwives
put on plastic aprons and gloves. It was
really all happening now! During each
contraction I pushed while breathing
downwards slowly – literally breathing
the baby out. Her head started to crown.
My vagina was burning, stinging and
stretching. So intense! I was feeling
really scared now. A few more pushes and
her whole head popped out. I was able to
look in the mirror and see her little
face. She looked so calm and patient! I
was in love already! Everyone was trying
to get me to pant rather than push, but
I couldn't control it. I yelled so loud
and out came her shoulders and body. The
OB put her straight on my chest, and I
was the happiest I have ever been.
Michael was smiling and tearing up. Our
beautiful little girl, Theodora Posy was
finally here at 8:57 pm! This was our
greatest achievement together.
The placenta was delivered within 15
minutes with no injection needed. I had
a first-degree tear which the OB quickly
stitched up. I did my ‘calmbirth®’
breathing again while I was injected
with the local anesthetic.
The birth was one of the greatest (if
hardest) experiences of my life. I
didn't use any pain relief, and I felt
really terrific afterwards. This was due
in large part to the amazing support
Michael, Tania and a fantastic midwife
gave me. I can't say enough about the
care and support I received for this
birth. My preparation, including the
‘calmbirth®’
classes proved invaluable. Also, I was
so proud of myself!
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