“It was the most incredible experience for my husband and I. I remember watching the birth videos during your classes and I thought it would be so incredible if I could achieve that trance like state during labour and just focus on my breathing. Which is what I was able to achieve.”
Laura, Peaceful Birthing Mother
5:30am Monday 12/08/24- 39w1d- my waters broke at home. I stayed in bed drinking coffee with my husband Tom, and spoke about what was to come.
8:30am- hospital check up confirmed waters broke. I declined cervical check, no contractions yet. I was sent home to progress with labour. The hospital offered an induction if labour hadn’t started within 72 hours.
11:40am- Mild contractions in my back started in the lounge room while watching a funny movie. I used heat backs for back pain, but couldn’t get comfortable. There were multiple toilet trips!
3:00pm- Transition stage of labour at home in lounge room. Requesting epidural, strong intense contractions ‘Feeling like I can’t do this’.
3:30pm- I showered for 20 minutes. I felt faint between contractions, so got out. I struggled to find a position that was comfortable so I hopped up on the bed with my back up against head board of bed. I felt really safe and comfortable in this position. Tom played ‘Tranquil Chambers’ music on repeat. My breathing under control between contractions. I would open my eyes for a second and squeeze my husbands hand during a contraction, and then fall back asleep.
“Tom was timing contractions and we never reached 3 contractions in a 10 minute period. They continued to be irregular and midwife said not to come in until they reached 3 in 10. I was in trance like state between contractions with minimal pain. “
4:45pm- I woke up to involuntary urge to push after contractions and bloody show. We called the hospital, they told us to come in ASAP and to call ambulance on the way if I thought I was going to have baby in the car. I continued to have involuntary pushing in the car.
5:30pm- Arrived at the SCUH, observations taken, and I was hooked up to CTG. The Midwife didn’t believe we were in late stage labour. During contractions, I was told to ‘blow out candle’ and not push until cervical check.
6:15pm- Midwife completed cervical check and confirmed 10cm dilated, visually could see baby’s head. Midwife was in disbelief that I was so calm, not in pain and fully dilated. My obs and baby’s obs were stable and didn’t show that I was in second stage of labour. Advised to start pushing by midwife, started on all fours on the ground, using the exercise ball, changed position to end of bed and then in bed.
Prolonged second stage of labour due to my bladder was full, failed in/out catheter multiple times and then finally the Team Leader successfully inserted the catheter and emptied 250ml urine. I was then able to push for another hour, however fatigue set in and I had multiple internal tears. The Obstetrician and consultant discussed interventions, including episiotomy, vacuum, forceps or c section if unsuccessful. The Midwives continued to advocate for me to push vaginally and limit interventions as I had come this far and they didn’t want to intervene unless needed.
“9:20pm- After 3 hours of pushing with no pain relief, I was offered an episiotomy which I accepted.
9:28pm- Bodhi was born 3.945kg, 52cm ”
It was the most incredible experience for my husband and I. I remember watching the birth videos during your classes and I thought it would be so incredible if I could achieve that trance like state during labour and just focus on my breathing. Which is what I was able to achieve.
“It was so amazing and I can’t thank you enough! “
Welcome earthside baby Bodhi!
Bodhi was born on 12th August 2024 at 9.28pm