Bruce’s Birth Story
Bruce Henry Mayer born 24/5/11
It was my due date and I’d spent most of the day feeling drained, very heavy and a little ratty (although I’d spent most this pregnancy moody anyway!)
At around 5.50pm I felt strange and as I had been having the odd bout of contractions over the previous 2 weeks I was sure this was what happening again. I had also had constipation and I thought that this was what was bringing more contraction pains. So I didn’t actually realise I was in labour! It was only when I noticed that the pains were coming at regular intervals which made me look at the Internet to see if they were really contractions. I was getting one every 3/4 mins or so. I called to Andrew to tell him, he didn’t believe me as I’d been saying this for a few weeks now….
Ted our 2 year old was running around whilst Andrew did the bedtime routine, I called to Andrew to put Ted to bed as he was wanting to climb on me! After an hour or so of lying on the sofa I decided to call one of my Midwifes and let them know the situation, although I was still sceptical that I was actually in labour. Andy (midwife) did ask if she should come round and I said no worries just now, I’ll call if they continue. They did start to come on much stronger and I was managing the pain in the bathroom, although I was worried as Andrew was putting Ted to bed, which can sometimes take ages! And that meant I was alone downstairs in the bathroom. So I text both Midwifes and asked if they could come ASAP.
When Andy called back I couldn’t really speak so she said she would be on her way. By this time Andrew was downstairs and started to do his usual manic clean and tidy, this time out of nervousness and knowing the contractions were real this time! I managed the contractions which were getting stronger by pushing on the sink and breathing. The difference between the contractions this time, from my last labour was that I had managed to not break my waters so far and that I also had a break between them to have a breather…. As they became stronger this obviously changed and I moved from the bathroom to the kitchen, pushing on the kitchen top each time I had a contraction. Andy and Andrew helped by massaging the bottom of my back, Andy remarked on how she could feel the babies head pressing through the lower back, a definite sign that he was on his way downwards! Andy also suggested I have a hot water bottle tied round my lower waist to help with the pain – this was a good idea, I now had help with the pain on both sides. I was keen to get in the pool but also didn’t want to do so until I was sure I was fairly dilated. Andy estimated I was between 5/6 cm and so we decided the pool would be ok. Andrew filled it ( took him a while!!) Mirjin my other midwife arrived and I got into the pool. At first it seemed more painful with the transition from standing through the pain to kneeling. But after a few mins of Andy/Mirjin pouring water on my back and Andrew sitting next to the pool and holding my hand, me squeezing his arms, probably putting my nails through his skin, I was managing, although it was all becoming so much quicker now with almost no breaks between contractions..
I started to panic that I wouldn’t be able to cope and that the baby was going to be too big! The Midwives reassured me that all was going well and I could do it. I kept saying that I was scared, I’m not sure if this was transition but I really doubted myself, especially since my first baby was possibly delivered with slight shoulder dystocia. It is a little debatable if Ted had this as the Midwifes managed to deliver him within 1 minute by using the McRoberts manoeuvre, so he wasn’t actually stuck for very long. Back to Bruce’s birth, things were going well but very fast, no breaks between contractions now and I had the urge to bear down and push. It was painful but hey it’s supposed to be!
Although if anyone passing by had an epidural or the like I would have whipped it out of their hands and stuck it in my back… I asked for gas and air, this definitely took the edge off the pain. Andrew my partner had always wanted to try it so I let him, he thinks he could have become addicted. I was aware however that although it was great for taking the edge off the pain, but that had I inhaled too much I would possibly have lost my concentration and breathing technique. So I tried to only use it on the height of the contractions. Andrew, Andy and Mirjin were so encouraging if it wasn’t for their help I wouldn’t have naturally had the confidence in myself. My waters broke with a pop which everyone was fairly excited by it!
I actually thought the baby had popped out! Andy fished the Amniotic sac out of the pool on a stick, which I looked at with one eye open between contractions. Everything happened very fast now, I had to concentrate and work hard, it took every bit of life I had in me… The babies head was making his way down at an adequate speed, which was good, I could feel him kicking and wriggling out! The Midwifes helped me to breath out the head, in fact the whole room was breathing together with short little breaths to ease out the head, shoulders (hurray!) and then his body, he slightly stuck at his hips, not shoulders! But Andy eased him out easily with her hands and asked me to stand to meet my little baby Bruce. Andrew had to rush upstairs to see to Ted, who awoke just before Bruce came. Mirijn had to call him down as not to miss it… He came just in time and then Ted woke again so we brought him down to meet his brother at 1.30 am.
I sat on the sofa with baby Bruce, who felt quite heavy and waited for the placenta to be delivered. Ted said “wow” when he met his brother and was fairly stunned! The placenta didn’t take long – phew!! I was having a good old moan about it, only as I had the injection last time and wasn’t that keen on waiting this time! After it was delivered I started to feel quite high, no stitches! Yipee!!! And a perfect birth, I was so happy… We all had some pink sparkly to celebrate and then talked about birth and the complications you can experience in hospital and the procedures which can be avoided. Why can’t everyone have the birth they want? Andy and Mirijn cleaned up and left at about 3.30ish whilst myself and Andrew felt so lucky to be looking at our lovely new son and to have had the birth we wanted. Being at home is so lovely. He weighed 9 pounds 9 oz.
The next few days were blissful too with a lovely placid baby boy, with red hair….. A big surprise and as we’d already chosen the name Bruce, it was just perfect. We had visitors, flowers, cards and warched Ted adjusting to his brother, maybe a little erratically but better than expected. Breastfeeding was so much easier than before, although there was some pain for a couple of weeks. Then after stomach cramp pains were quite painful but with some paracetmol they eased off.
In reflection, as it’s now 5 weeks after Bruce was born we are so happy once again with our experience and massively in love with him, he’s so gorgeous and calm and we really put it down to his wonderful delivery and the amazing care we received, which was worth every single penny!!!
