Mama B Says: “I kept focused on my breath and how each one was bringing me a step closer to meeting our little one. Once the midwife returned, she added some more hot water to the pool and when my partner told her I was getting urges to push, she examined me to find that the baby’s head was crowning. She told me to focus on my breath and to push down into my bottom.  Three more pushes and our beautiful baby was born”

Hi Claire,

Here is our birth story for our baby boy born in January.

I had been seen in the consultant led unit in the run up to the birth as there were concerned about the weight of my baby and we had discussed the possibility of being admitted at 37 weeks for a planned induction. However, on the most recent scan they were reassured and were happy for me to carry on to full term which I was hugely relieved about as preferred to go naturally if all was safe.

Two days after my due date, I started to experience some minor twinges in the morning. I was planning on taking my Daughter to Roath Park, but decided to stay close to home, which was a wise decision as I started getting contractions from about 2pm in the afternoon. I called my partner at around 3:30 and suggested that he think about heading home shortly. Once he was home, we double checked my hospital bag and called my Mum to come and spend the evening with our Daughter.

I managed at home for quite a while by trying to keep mobile either walking around or in a cat pose on my yoga mat. I kept focused on my breath throughout and found some imagery of my contractions building like a wave and then crashing on the shore very helpful. I waited for my contractions to become more regular, which didn’t take long at all. They built up and we’re about 3 mins apart but were only lasting for about 45-50 seconds, rather than a full minute.  However, I was concerned that if I left it any longer I would be delivering our baby at home. My partner called the hospital and we were asked if we could manage at home for any longer. I had a chat with the midwife and explained that I would prefer to go in. We arrived at the midwifery led unit about 10:45pm and our midwife had to check whether we should be on the consultant led unit given the recent checks. Whilst she went off to check, I kept moving around, leaning on the side of the bath and kept focused on my out breath. The midwife returned and we were grateful that we were able to stay on the midwifery led unit.  My partner went off to move the car.

It was a relief to finally get in the pool and I managed for a while without any pain relief.  I then decided to start on gas and air as the contractions became stronger. Our midwife talked through our birthing plan and explained some options if I didn’t progress in a timely way. She left us to get a jug of water and a cup of tea for my partner.  While she was gone, my contractions ramped up.

During a brief break between contractions I asked my partner if he could ask our midwife for some stronger pain relief when she returned as I was getting stronger urges. During this time, I kept focused on my breath and how each one was bringing me a step closer to meeting our little one. Once the midwife returned, she added some more hot water to the pool and when my partner told her I was getting urges to push, she examined me to find that the baby’s head was crowning. She told me to focus on my breath and to push down into my bottom.  Three more pushes and our beautiful baby was born at 11:48, just over an hour after arriving at hospital. Baby floated up in the water in front of me and I caught them in my arms. I had to unwind the cord from around their neck but they were fine and then the midwife suggested I check the sex. It hadn’t occurred to me as I was so focused on their face and I discovered we had a beautiful baby boy.

I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta on the bed and have stitches for my second degree tear, whilst Dad had lots of cuddles with our baby boy. I fed our baby and we enjoyed some tea and toast before moving to the proper rooms where we were able to have a decent night’s rest. I was delighted that my partner could also stay with me overnight and that we had time to bond just the three of us. We took our baby boy home the following day to meet our Daughter who has been absolutely smitten.

Overall, I had such a positive birth experience and feel incredibly proud of how I managed on gas and air and feel fortunate to have a pool birth that I wanted. I’ve put this down to the excellent tools I’ve developed through practicing yoga. I’m looking forward to doing your mum and baby yoga again!