Your Positive Birth Stories
Michelle's Home Birth Story
After a lovely birth in the MLU at 42 weeks at the Rosie with my first baby, with my second birth I had chosen to have a home birth. At 40+3 weeks pregnant, I woke at around 7 with some slight tightenings. My husband, Chris, was at work in London and my mum was on standby locally to look after my 2 year old. I spoke to my mum on the phone to say I think things were starting but I would call back when I was sure. Within 10 minutes I knew this was the real deal, as with my first birth, my contractions were coming every 3 minutes straight away, just less intense to start.
My first birth was 5 hours from early contractions to welcoming baby so I thought things could be happening fairly quickly. I called Chris to make the 2 hour journey home, my mum arrived to look after my toddler and I phoned the hospital to let them know that things had started. I spent the next few hours cleaning the house, rocking through contractions and getting my toddler ready for a day without me - Chris arrived home to me scrubbing the stairs!
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Kelly's Story
In my pregnancy with my second daughter I found Sarah at The Balanced Space & pregnancy yoga. I learnt an incredible amount from Sarah & these classes & was determined to use my improved knowledge in my second labour. I had gestational diabetes which resulted in me being induced 2 weeks early. I was quite nervous due to hearing lots of negative stories about induction but I can honestly say I had the most wonderful & empowering birth. Though the induction process was long for me (my little girl was just too snug!) I had, had two pessaries, my waters broken & then put onto the drip.. I was then concerned I had no option but to have a c section but the midwife’s reassured me & with drip on max eventually my contractions started and once they started my actual labour was quick. Sarah had taught us some brilliant breathing techniques that I used throughout & felt these really helped. I was able to stay active during my labour, I spent most of my labour on the ball & only moved to the bed to give birth. After a nasty tear the first time round I was encouraged to give birth on my side which was successful for me & I didn’t tear this time! My little girl was born an hour & a half after my first contraction.
Kelly Daniels
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