My best friend had a baby boy on Monday 26 April, bang on his due date. Her second DC by IVF. I was present at the first and tbh, it was amazing and "pretty easy" for her. The second birth was quite incredible and should give inspiration, particularly to first time mums out there that it doesn't always have to be intensely painful and/or animal like screaming that you see on One Born Every Minute.
So the story goes....
She woke about 5am needing to poo - which she did (tmi)! Then realised her tummy was tightening. Tinse of backache, period pain like cramps, but not bad at all. Got back into bed, couldn't sleep, realised the tightenings were regular but not painful AT ALL. Just the same as she'd been having for weeks. Her husband woke up and said, why are you awake, you in labour? She I think I might be. Tightenings are regular, but doesn't hurt at all, so we've got a while. They went downstairs had a cup of tea. Repacked hospital bag, called mum, called another friend who was going to be present at the birth. All the time, talking and walking absolutely fine. No intensity in pain (barely any at all), but she knew the tightenings were every 5 minutes and each time just like a period cramp. I should point out that she has always had really bad period pains .
Anyway, called the hospital, they said to come in. She got to hospital about 10am after faffing around, drinking more tea and thinking, nah, I've got ages yet, it just doesn't hurt. Midwife examined her at 10:15 and said, oh, you're not going anywhere, you're 6cm dilated. You've got another contraction now haven't you? My BF said, really? Can't feel it.
Midwife said "Fancy the birthing pool?" Alright, she said. Walked to the pool, got in, no breaks in walking, chatting away. Smiled in the water - nice and warm, lovely. Oooh, she said, I think the baby is coming out. A minute later she screwed up her nose and said OUCH! Note I said she SAID ouch. Didn't shout or scream it. The baby's head and shoulders came straight out. 10:56. 10:57 baby completely born.
I still can't quite believe it. More than a little , but so incredibly proud of my very best friend.
How's that for a positive birth story? Wish my 3 could have been so easy