Welcoming Jasper James

It was a few days after the estimated date of our first child, and I was a little anxious.  I was so excited, and ready to meet our little one.  I was getting a few Braxton- Hicks contractions and sometimes they seemed quite strong and coming pretty regularly, I had never been in labour before so I had no idea if it was the real thing or not.  Every time I would get my hopes up that our tiny angel was on their way, I would go and lie down or go to bed and they would disappear. When was I actually going to go into labour?

On Monday 19th of May I went for yet another walk to see it would get things going.  I felt a really strong pressure sensation, which climaxed into a sharp pain.  When I got home I went to the toilet and noticed I had had a small show of blood.  I was so excited I called Nathan into the bathroom to show him.  Yay, something was finally happening!

I knew that it may still be a few more days, but I was ready.  I decided to take it easy and conserve my energy for the wonderful event.  This proved hard as I was on a natural high and just buzzing.  By dinnertime I had been feeling period pain sensations for a couple of hours and I had noticed they were coming every 10 minutes or so.  We kept an eye on them for the next few hours, as they were getting stronger and closer. I told Nathan, ‘we’re going to have a baby tomorrow.’   Around midnight we decided we should call our midwife Nicola to let her know something was happening.  She said she thought I was progressing nicely and we should try and get some sleep.  Well that was a joke me, I was only comfortable when I was standing and walking around. But we took her advice and went to bed. I propped up some pillows because lying was not an option at this point, and I listened to the Calm Birthing CD, breathing through the surges.

Soon, being still was too difficult, so I went and tried a bath, and Nathan had drifted off to sleep.  The bath didn’t last long; I found our small bath too restrictive, and was soon out and walking around again - stopping to lean over the stair banister and swaying during the surges. About 3 AM I woke Nathan and he called Nicola again, the surges were very close and pretty intense, I was having trouble breathing through them as I had learned to do in the Calm Birthing classes.  I kept reminding myself to let my body relax and go limp.

Nicola rang us back at about 5 AM to let us know she was on her way.  I felt like trying to get in the birth pool to help with the pain.  We fill it up and I spent about ½ an hour in there before I needed the toilet and to walk around again.

Nicola arrived soon.  When she greeted by me, I was completely naked and had a rather grumpy look.  I had just about had enough; I was not prepared for how intense the surges would be.  I can understand why people in hospitals chose to take something for the pain, which is one of the reasons I chose to birth at home, to avoid that awful temptation. 

After walking around, leaning on Nathan for support, burying my head into his shoulder, muffling my moaning sounds in his t-shirt, I decided to get back in the pool.  Using the edge of the pool to lean on I rested my head in my hands, and swayed my hips, through the surges, saying, ‘I don’t want to do it anymore, I just want a break.’

Nicola then did an internal and found I was fully dilated, but the cervix was getting caught on my baby’s ears, so as I pushed she held the cervix back to allow my baby to come down. Then it was time to bear down and birth my baby.

Jennie, our other midwife arrived and I felt so safe and nurtured by my 4 amazing supporters, Nathan, Nicola, Jennie and our dog Dakota.  Dakota slept on the mattress next to the birth pool, and occasionally came up for a pat and to see what was going on. I could not have dreamed for a more caring, loving and secure environment to birth our child.  I had been pushing in the pool for a while and Nicola and Jennie thought I should get out and try to go the toilet.  This may have seemed like an easy task and a good idea had I not had a baby’s head in my pelvis.  Reluctantly I waddled to the toilet supported by Nicola and Jennie and pushed on the toilet for a while, I still could not wee. I knew it was nearly time for our baby to arrive now.  I could see Nathan’s face light up as he was watching me on the toilet, he could see our baby coming.

I got back in the pool and kneeling on one knee with the other leg up like I was squatting I pushed and felt my baby’s head, I guided it halfway out and relaxed my body as I felt the stinging sensation before the next surge.  When the head was out someone said, ‘Now sit back Sarah, so Nathan can help the baby out.’  I leant back against the edge of the pool and Nathan put his hands in the water and supported our baby’s head.  We relaxed for a few minutes and Jennie took some photos.  I felt another surge and out slid our little angel, Jasper James.  My waters hadn’t broken so he was born still in his sack; Nicola broke it open and helped Nathan bring him up to my chest.  The 3 of us cuddled and Dakota came up to the edge of the pool to check out what all this fuss was about.  Nathan and I watched in awe at the little person we had brought into the world, as he suckled on my breast for the first time.

Oh my God, he was here; it was the most amazing feeling.  The whole experience was intense and wonderful beyond description.  It would not have been possible without the priceless help and support given by Nicola and Jennie.  They will both always be in our hearts for sharing this magnificent intimate journey with us, and for being the special and beautiful women that they are.