Home birth/free birth/storytime

Introducing my daughter due 3/4/25 came like a storm on the 29/03/25 at 9:48 pm 7 pounds 7 ounces after a 2 hour active labour.

(Story time)

After a sweep that morning at 10:30 am I was feeling a little sore. Went about my day had a bloody show around 2pm Then around 5 pm started having mild tightenings that were 2/3 mins apart for about 40 seconds. Checked at 7:30 pm and was 3cm dilated again 40 second apart 2/3 mins apart and I sent the midwife home as I wasn’t ready for anyone in my house just yet as i wanted a dilation check only and felt I had loads of time. Things then started to intensify as their meant to feeling pressure in my back and having very sore contractions as we were setting up the pool and getting ready all the while thinking I had loads of time to go. Around 9:20 pm I called for my team to come out as I needed access to gas and felt my contractions were now picking up but still felt I had a long way to go. Got into my pool to try help relieve the pain as I was in the bath before waiting for set up and it was no longer enough for me and I was shivering. Well next thing I know I think I need to poop so I’m going to the toilet and I feel my waters inside of me coming out in the bag. I I rush back to the pool think I need to get sick and suddenly I have this big urge to push while we’re frantically calling the ambulance as our midwives are not going to make it on time and we were by ourselves. In under 2 minutes baby’s head was out followed by her body and I was picking my own baby up out of the water before I could realise what had happened. My poor kids seen everything as they hadn’t been put to bed yet. So not only have I not got the gas and air I was originally calling for but I’ve somehow ended up free birthing and having no pain relief at all in a labour that was active labour for less than 2 hours. I’m absolutely in shock as I’ve never had any of my labours progress as quickly or surprisingly as her. Never don’t be afraid to call triage if you think you need it because you never know how fast these babies are coming into the world.

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Ah congratulations mama!!! Can’t believe how quickly she came! Hope you’re both doing well! I’m due on the 3rd as well but no signs that she wants to come out any time soon haha

what an amazing story, you did so well, and your kids getting to see how strong you are too and watching their little sister come into the world how incredible

Incredible, congratulations. Can't wait for my home birth xxx

Huge congratulations!! 🥰 you’ve done amazing - what a birth story. Hope you are both well xx

That's amazing. Thank you for sharing. Hope your all doing well

Congratulations, you look absolutely amazing after having such a huge shock! Well done on getting through all that, you are one strong mama! Xx

that’s my brothers birthday

nor can I I’m absolutely shocked still. I don’t know if she would have come as quick if I didn’t have the sweep. But honestly the surprise of when they turn up is half the fun

thank you. We’ve sat and talked to them today to explain what happened and see how they feel about it all and seeing them so excited to hold their sister made it worth it

it’s honestly the best feeling

definitely has topped all of the ones I had before but such a perfect ending to my birthing chapter so I’m glad it’s ended on a dramatic note makes it more special

awe thank you that’s made my day 🩷

Congrats 👏 enjoy

congratulations. what an incredible birth story! 🩷 she’s beautiful xxxx

Congratulations mama❤️❤️❤️

it wasn’t that deep, i didn’t say the kids probably weren’t freaked out, i just said they saw how strong their mum is😅

What a birth story 🥰 congratulations ♥️

in our community

Anyone else up feeding their Bebe?

As above. Trying so hard to keep my eyes open

Oh my God, oh my God I hope this is not true!!!! I’m kind of scared

I’ve been throwing up and taking a shit all night!!! I just hope that it’s not what I think it is

Is this normal??

I’m 29 weeks pregnant and having really aching legs and they’re all lumpy and swollen. Above the knee and behind the knee . Should I be worried ? My legs have never looked like this up until a few days ago. ??

Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Gave birth (vagina) 5 days ago and yesterday morning and this morning getting lot of pain in my right bottom side and lower back

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.