I was really grateful for being able to move around during labour and the midwives supported my birth preferences. Having my partner Lachlan there by my side except for 2 quick toilet breaks, was also so incredible and vital for me!
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My biggest driver for having a natural birth was to improve my chances of breast feeding and I’m pleased to say our little Oscar is thriving, putting on a kilogram in his first month of life with exclusive breastfeeding. It was such a challenging time but you helped us be as prepared as possible. We can’t thank you enough!
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“I knew she was there and she just melted into the action, whispering in my ear, reminding me at every turn how strong I was and simply that I could do it.” A new mother speaking of her doula. Women helping women give birth is an ancient practice that is still widespread today.
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While the delivery didn’t quite go as planned (the active birthing spontaneous vaginal delivery I had pictured in my mind) we did end up having the most perfect birth in the end. We ended up having a c-section and were 41+1 but it was so calm and enjoyable. My obstetrician, midwife, anesthetist, and pediatrician all supported our wishes for an active birth and worked together seamlessly. From a completely pain-free epidural, photos capturing the entire procedure/birth, delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin and a pain-free recovery post-c-section, it all went better than I could have ever imagined. I put a lot of it down to the physical and mental preparation that you supported us to develop.
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Jake was an amazing birth partner as always and he remembered all his active birth yoga sessions from our previous pregnancy. I asked to birth in a more upright position and the midwife and obstetrician both respected my request for no coached pushing. I was anxious about having another private birthing experience and being at the mercy of the doctor but I felt more empowered this time in sticking to my birth plan. Thank you Suzanne for your support and wisdom.
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I went into labour spontaneously at home at around 2:30am. At that time, I was 40 + 4 (in the middle of summer!!) and feeling ready to meet my baby. I was so pleased to go into labour naturally, as I was starting to get nervous about having to be induced. I remember being so excited when I felt what I was sure was my first few contractions and opened the blinds in my room so I could watch the sun come up on the day I expected my baby to be born. Contractions started 10mins apart and I tried to relax as much as possible using the breathing techniques for relaxation between each contraction. I used a lot of breathing and swaying in the early stages and the contractions built to about 5mins apart by mid-morning. I felt confident, strong and excited labouring at home.
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Labour started naturally at home at about 1am on Sunday morning and we stayed home until about 1am on Monday morning. I started vomiting as the contractions were getting stronger and I just wasn't sure and confident with whether it was proper labour so decided to go in to hospital. I was in active labour when we arrived and all was good. After about 5am my membranes were broken at 9 cm dilated as the labour was slowing and not progressing for a while but other than that it was an all natural vaginal birth with no drugs. My partner was constantly reminding me to sway and move in the positions we learnt in the Active Birth Yoga classes as I kept forgetting and also he helped my noises to be low as they kept creeping up to those higher tones.