And here is the "birth" story:
As is known from the previous thread, I had a very on/off latent phase. After going to hospital with regular but not painful contractions on Friday evening, I came home with my doula. I decided to let stbxh know, having decided that I didn't want to leave any "what ifs", and he came around to see me. He was very supportive, and practically helpful - he cleaned the kitchen whilst my doula was helping me through some more intense contractions, and helping me focus on the birth journey. He also was brilliant sorting out replacement performers for a gig I had arranged for Saturday lunchtime. (Acrobat completed ignore the schedule I had for his arrival....)
I had a warm bath which increased the frequency of contractions, then under my doula's advice I went to bed. She went for a sleep in DS's room, and stbxh also stayed, sleeping on the sofa. Overnight the contractions got more intense and frequent, and I was having to vocalise through them, and had more warm baths, and did lots of crawling round the garden. By 7am I thought we should probably think about returning to hospital. I also knew that my favourite midwife came on duty at 8am, and I wanted to "baggsy" him first
My doula phoned the ward to let them know we were on our way in, and that all 3 of us would be attending. So we went up for just after 8, with all the bags, music etc. I was so relieved that I was assigned the person I hoped. He could see that my contractions were very intense, but were somewhat erratic (common in 3rd labours apparently, and more so for me because the long term exhaustion from HG had reduced my energy levels so much, together with the long latent phase of labour) So, at 10am he did a stretch and sweep but was pleased i was already 4 - 5 cm dilated. That made the contractions very regular and intense for a while, through which I was standing, leaning on the bed and vocalising my way through each one, whilst focussing on whole body relaxation.
I took myself regularly to my tree, but found I was not there with a book, alone, but with acrobat, aged 4, playing with a toy glider
I was getting upset as the contractions were lessening in terms of intensity and frequency, so at 1.30pm my midwife did another sweep, and then, with the next contraction, artificially broke my waters (I was 8 - 9 cm by then) That triggered things well, and shortly after I got into the birthing pool.
Throughout all this, my doula was a wonderful presence, just reminding me to keep a loose jaw, so vocalise in a deep voice, and reassuring me that I was doing beautifully, whilst giving me amazing back rubs. Once in the pool things continued intensely, and then I got in a panic that I couldn't do it. Again, my doula reminded me that this was the Gate of Doubt that every labouring woman faces. I felt I needed pain relief, and decided to try gas and air. This helped considerably. I again started to worry about the pain, as it felt different, and when my midwife had a look, expecting to see the cervix still dilating, in fact it had "disappeared" and acrobat was starting to descend. He told me how to feel his head inside me which I did - it was very reassuring. I changed position from leaning on my knees against the side, to sitting back on the seat, and followed the guidance to listen to my body and push as necessary.
It didn't take very long before acrobat was crowning and with a HUGE push his head was out. The pushes before that were hard because he still hadn't decided which way to be born to throughout "the descent" his head was transverse. Once the head was out, I held it in my hands whilst waiting for the next strong contraction, with which my midwife guided his body out!
My PICC line was soaked by now, but that was not considered remotely important as it was not going to be used again. So, whilst I waited for the cord to stop pulsating, acrobat (now named Caspian) sat together in the lovely warm pool.
I had a natural third stage, once out of the pool, whilst Caspian was skin to skin (covered with my dad's jumper) and already latched on
It was really beautiful, and I am so proud of myself!
I had 2 sets of music - a playlist on my phone, and a CD which is of me playing and singing. It is very chilled, and it helped a lot keep the atmosphere relaxed. In fact, my midwife has asked for a copy as he loved it so much! So Acrobat arrived to the sound of his mummy playing and singing which is quite special.
Stbxh was great - calm and stayed back, but was there. No regrets.