By Crystal Hill
My 3 due dates went by but I wasn’t bothered I knew baby would come when he was ready. Friends however told me I looked enormous and offered me advice on various ways I could bring on labour one saying she could take me 4 wheel driving! But even
though bub was heavy and I was 9 days over I was happy being pregnant. Baby had been late to engage leaving it to the last week before my due dates. I remember when it happened as me and Kyah were rocking out to some cds that I thought I’d use for labour, when I felt loads of pressure and pain in my lower abdomen. It was weird as I felt the need to just go with it knowing it wasn’t labour. I never had this with Kyahs pregnancy; I had no idea the moment she had engaged.
At 12am the 11th of march I woke up to a wet feeling, I went to the toilet discovering some water I assumed it was a hind water leak like with Kyahs labour and I thought cool baby will arrive in the next few days much the same as her labour. I woke Dan
and said the words he had been hanging out to hear… “You can have the day off work tomorrow my waters are leaking”. He happily drifted off to sleep. I rang the healthline asking if there’s much point alerting my midwife and the nurse said yes. I felt guilty ringing Linda but she calmly told me to try get some sleep.
I tried that but I was having teeny cramps that were annoying enough I couldn’t sleep through so I watched a movie. With mild contractions beginning I decided to have a shower just as Dan and Kyah were getting up. Dan suggested ringing Genevieve
to come watch Kyah, just as well I got hold of her when I did as she was in a car pool on its way to Whanganui so she hopped out and ran home!
After the shower I hopped in bed. Contractions became stronger. Lynley rang as Linda was at another birth in town. She told me she would be out here soon and would come see me after her 10 am appointment if I was ok with that which I was, no rush I though this could take ages! The next trip to the loo the contractions were stronger and I had to hold the wall and doorway to have a breathing through the pain moment. I decided to stay in bed, as I had less pain when I sat down. Gen arrived and came sat with me through a few contractions giving me encouragement and then found Kyah to keep her occupied.
Lynley rang when she arrived in Ashhurst at 10am to see how I was going, she heard me having a contraction and decided she
would see me in 10 minutes. I had it in my head I was still in very early stages so I saw no urgency. Lynley asked if I wanted to be checked to see how far along I was. I said yes only if I’m not 2cm! She said not to get disappointed if I was but happily she announced I was 6! Woohoo I was happy with that unlike Kyahs labour that took days to get passed 3cm.
During all the contractions I practiced visualizing opening holes and dinner plates as I had read in Ina May Gaskins book. I also tried some of the breathing techniques but was happier just going about the contractions as I had been with just using
the visualizing part. Lynley had set up the lounge and Dan had started filling up the pool. A bit premature I thought! Lynley then asked if I’d like to go into the lounge but I said I didn’t like standing as it created more pain! She explained that’s a good thing, I think I was also apprehensive about it as I was enjoying being lazy in bed watching day time TV.
In the lounge it was all set up nicely, the fire going, the couch and ground was covered with material and a pillow placed on the ground to kneel on. As Lynley helped me to kneel down I admired the lovely colour the material was during contractions she massaged my back while Dan was getting the pool ready. Kyah and Gen came in for a peek as requested by Kyah. She patted my back during a contraction and said with a determined and encouraging look “you can do it mum!” I laughed which stopped a contraction from escalating and gave me enough time to give her a kiss and say “I love you”. Then straight back into hard work
of breathing and visualizing. Gen took Kyah out to the other lounge to watch more movies. Annie the 2nd midwife soon arrived. At 11.35am the temperature in the pool was checked I was asked if I wanted to hop in. I thought it was a bit soon but it sounded like a good idea. As soon as I got in I had a huge break in contractions, it was absolute bliss. I was smiling away and felt so warm, relaxed and lovely the atmosphere was beautiful. Soon enough the contractions returned much stronger but the break had given me extra strength and endurance, I kept thinking I could be doing this all night, possibly till tomorrow so had to keep focused on the job at hand. Between the contractions I still chatted away as normal but kept focused when started.
Dan found it awkward leaning over the pool to rub my back so I asked him to jump in if it’s easier… I teased I would poo in the pool!!! Thank goodness I didn’t. Having him behind me rubbing my back was great, Dan remembers when I’d ask him to push on
my back gradually with each contraction I’d ask him to go lower as baby was making his journey out. My waters popped which gave me a fright as it hurt but startled me more than anything! After that happened I’d start a contraction and it would end with an urge to push, I kept thinking no it’s much too early for that. I then moved from leaning over the side of the pool to lying back on Dan which felt great as he supported me and I felt safe and secure with him behind me. The need to push became more frequent until that’s all my body wanted to do.
Lynley and Annie were awesome with encouragement. They put the mirror in the water so we could see baby’s head crowning. I could feel how much bigger his head was then Kyahs had been! I told everyone he was too big to get out but they reassured me
it was possible.
Getting his head eased out was extremely hard work but didn’t hurt as much as it did with Kyah even though she was much smaller. Although I was worried I’d tear so it helped to support the exit while he crowned which I highly recommend! Once
his head was out I didn’t think I could push the rest of him, his extremely thick cord was loosely around his neck, so Annie and Lynley moved it and I pushed the rest of him out. He was born at 11.54am. I was amazed taking him from Lynely how big he was! Both midwives blew and patted his purple body until he started crying.
Lynley went to get Kyah who had already decided and told Gen she was coming to see me! She was fascinated walking around the pool to meet her new little brother. She was so proud! After photos I passed the placenta with the last of the strength I had from my exhausted tummy muscles. The placenta was put in a container and baby was lifted out still connected.
I was helped onto the couch, checked, no stitches woohoo! bub then snuggled up to me under warm towels in our lovely warm lounge. He latched on really well – a huge relief after not being successful with Kyah. The atmosphere was magic! Gen quietly potted around taking photos while we stared at bub in awe. Kyah touched the cord which she thought was slimy and decided she didn’t want to help cut it so Dan did. Lynley and Annie marveled in the size of it as it was extremely thick with a huge placenta. He was definitely well nourished. He weighed in at 3880g (8 pound 9).
Someone made me a milo and then we enjoyed a delicious casserole Dan had made that morning. Lynley helped me to the shower and helped me get cleaned up and refreshed. Dan dressed bub and Annie left. Lynley helped Dan to empty the pool then she kindly made up my bed and got me sorted for a sleep while Gen and Kyah went for a walk. Lynley left and I got into bed with baby, while in his moses basket. Excitement stopped me from sleeping but the rest was well appreciated.
After a week Dan and Kyah chose the name Jonah and I chose Dalì as the middle name.
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