Gemma's birth was an amazing experience

Kieran and I wanted to share our lovely news that we are now a family of 5. Gemma Rose McGovern arrived earthside early last Tuesday morning (16 November) weighing a healthy 3805g and 51cm long. Gemma's birth was an amazing experience. It was a quick, vaginal, drug and intervention free labour which I was really happy about.

Contractions kicked in at about 9pm and had really established by 11pm. I laboured at home using many of the techniques you took us through during our active birth session. Vocalisation, visualisation and movement (resting in between contractions) were all helpful and Kieran was able to actively be involved using the acupressure points, hip release, prompting my breathing as well as using soft touch during rest phases. I used the shower as well to relieve pain. My contractions were 3.5 minutes apart at about 2:30am so we made the call to head to the hospital, arriving at 2:50am. As we were walking down to the hospital, my water broke on the driveway!

I was 6cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital - it only took 15 minutes for me to dilate to 9cm when I felt the urge to push. I found out later that it took me 8 minutes to push Gemma out!! She was born at 3:58am. The midwives delivered her as the OB was on his way to the hospital. The only issue I had was that part of my placenta was retained so I had to go into surgery for the OB to remove it.

All in all, I loved my birth experience and found the session we did with you to be most empowering and incredibly useful, so thank you!