I gave birth last year for the first time and I was really worried in the run up. I started listening to a hypnobirthing mp3 at bedtime which really helped me feel calm. My birth ended up being such an amazing experience that I really regret not videoing it (I always thought those women were nuts!)
My waters broke at 7am but I didn’t have any contractions so after speaking to the clinic they told me to stay home and if nothing happened to go in at 6pm for a check and to book an induction. I had a bit of a panic at the thought of an induction but just tried to settle in.
I took a shower, watched TV, went online, called the parents to let them know what was happening. Then we had lunch and still nothing. At about 2.30pm I noticed a bit of blood on my pad so called the unit and they wanted me to go in.
Spoke to the midwife, showed her the pad and she said it was fine. She said she’d put me on the list for an induction the next day and I’d get a call by 11am. They said baby was back to back so I could try bouncing on a ball or rocking on all fours to move him but I was fine to go home.
After getting back home DH blew up the ball while I went to try to have a nap. As I was lying there I noticed a slight tightening feeling every now and again. I started timing them and they were for almost a minute and 2 mins apart. I went downstairs and had a bounce on the ball while explaining to DH. I wasn’t in any pain it just felt like a pulling/tense feeling. DH and I faffed about for a few more minutes trying to figure out if it was contractions and I called the unit again. They asked me to come in so off we went again at about 5pm.
I had my first painful contraction whilst waiting to be examined in the delivery room. I asked for pain relief and the midwife said she wanted to examine me first. I don’t know who was more surprised her or me when she said I was 7cm dilated!
I wanted a pool birth so she quickly started filling it up while I huffed a bit of gas and air. I got into the pool, ditched the gas and she dimmed the lights within minutes I was pushing. I didn’t scream/cry/screech like you see on TV, I was a silent determined pusher. He was on his side as he hadn’t turned completely so it took a fair few pushes to get his head out but on the next push his body followed and he was born at 7.40pm.
We were left in the birthing suite to have tea and toast and I had a quick shower then we were settled in a private bedroom (which I was thrilled about!) by 10pm. They gave us the option of going home that night but I wanted to try to establish breast feeding so we ended up staying for a few days. The only issue I had was that as it all happened so quickly, I couldn’t stop shaking for a few hours after. I just had lots of unused adrenaline that had nowhere to go.
I did have a 2nd degree tear but I had so much adrenaline running through me I didn’t feel a thing! They stitched me up and although a bit uncomfortable it wasn’t bad, I was wearing my pre-pregnancy skinny jeans on my birthday a week later.
I found out later that I had a precipitous labour which is a birth under 3hrs from the start of contractions. My hospital bags were still in the car during the birth so I didn’t end up using any of the things I’d packed expecting a long labour!
I found the whole experience so empowering. I felt like I could do anything after that.
Every birth is different, I think all we can do is read up on what we’d like to happen but be prepared for it all to change. I just concentrated on my relaxation and breathing which really helped me.
I hope everything goes smoothly for you OP.