Birth of Niamh
Before I had a chance to get myself onto the bed, my waters broke and with the help of a little gas and air Niamh was born 10 minutes later.
Niamh is my first child and when my due date was near, I started to panic about the birth. What would happen and what about our lack of preparation? That is until we met Magdalena. She taught us that my body knew exactly what it was supposed to do, and how not to fear birth. As we were in lockdown, my husband and I did a number of remote video sessions with Magdalena. She was preparing us with reading material, focused sessions; like breathing techniques, pain relief options and scoping a birthing plan. The most memorable technique, is making sounds that help during birth and Magdalena making deep animal noises:-) . These sessions were both very helpful and informative, as well as fun. They changed my perception of birth, as my initial idea of giving birth was based on dramatized TV like “One born every minute”, when in fact it is nothing like it in my experience.
The beginning of my labour I started with contractions on the Wednesday night, which I initially thought were Braxton Hicks, as I was nearly two weeks “early”. For the first 24 hours I stayed at home with the support of my husband beside me, we drew the curtains, made my surroundings as calm and cosy as possible. I used a birthing ball and breathing techniques to help me through contractions. By Thursday evening I knew it was time to head to the hospital on our pre-planned route (wearing my darkest sunglasses). With lockdown restrictions my husband was not permitted to enter until I was 6cm dilated, so I asked to be examined to see how far I was. I was fairly lucky and I was in fact 6cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital. The midwifes then invited my husband to enter the ward and so that he could join me. While this was happening, my contractions grew ever stronger and I knew that events were unfolding faster than the midwives could prepare for, to follow my birthing plan and that a water birth was not possible. My husband (and birthing partner) was with me and assured me that even though we wouldn’t be following the birthing plan to the letter, we were more than ready and handed me chew sweets and jelly babies.
I remembered that even though this was not my plan, I stayed relaxed. Before I had a chance to get myself onto the bed, my waters broke and with the help of a little gas and air Niamh was born 10 minutes later after my waters broke. My husband supported me and was holding me up as I couldn’t move anywhere without bringing on another contraction. After birthing Niamh, I climbed onto the bed and held my baby girl for the very first time.
Lili, Yorkshire