[Cherish]

I woke up on Thursday the 3rd of January and did what I had done every morning for the past 3 weeks-
Went to the toilet and wiped and hoped for something! There was a little smear of blood, I was stoked!
Something was going on in there...maybe I would have a baby soon afterall and not be pregnant forever like I
thought I would be.
There was huge amounts of pressure of my bum, I could tell something was definately going on.
My husband had to leave for work at 6am, so I texted my Mum to come up and help me get the kids to swimming lessons.
I sent my midwife a message at 6:54am saying 'Had a bit of a bloody show, lots of bum pressure.... think somethings happening'
I got back 'Oh goodie- today could be the day'
At 7:28 I messaged her again with 'ctx with bum pressure'
I started having minor contractions that were very infrequent, but still I was hopeful.
I sent husband a message and said that he should organise his relief worker so he could come home.
I packed Mum off to the swimming lessons with the kids, and my husband arrived home at 9:30.
I'd had a shower by this stage, my back was aching. I went and had a lay down and although the contractions were strong
they were frustratingly infrequent. 10 mins apart, 5 minutes,13 minutes, 26 minutes.
At 10:46 I messaged the midwife again 'Won't get or stay regular- so frustrating...goingto go for a walk!'
So off husband and I trotted for a walk. We returned home, collected my eldest son and went out for another walk.
When we returned the contractions were becoming more consistent so I asked my husband to being to prepare the bath.
We'd learnt in the days prior to the birth that I would be unable to birth in the water out of the tap due
to the high levels of lead in our water. So Craig had gone off and bought 3 81Litre tubs and filled them with safe
water so I could still have my waterbirth. This meant having 2 pots on the BBQ, 2 urns, a thermomix, the kettle, the microwave
and a pot on the stovetop and baking dishes in the oven so that I would have enough hot water. He dutifully
carted water back and forth from the bath heating it as I needed.
At 12:20 I got Craig to message the midwife again 'All over the show, last 3 been less than 5 apart and strong!'
She asked if I was right and hanging in there, and I asked her to come down.
At 1:08 I texted again 'coming closer' and then shortly after 'you close?'
She arrived about 1:20 and I was in the bath labouring away with strong contractions. My Mum had taken all 3 boys
for a drive so I'd been able to relax and focus.
I requested an internal. I always seem to do this when I'm in labour. It's as though I need confirmation that
something is happening, that I am getting somewhere. I did this with the other 2 boys too.
So at 1:30 I was 4-5 dialated, but 'stretchy to 7' were her words. I was a bit disappointed, the contractions had
been strong I thought I might be more! My midwife said 'No thats good, and multi's can go real quick'
Back in the bath I hopped, and Craig messaged my Mum to return home soon, and messaged my neighbour who was coming
to watch the birth'
Things ramped up and I was coping pretty good, Craig and the midwife remained in the bathroom with me whilst
my entourage waited in the loungeroom.
Craigs workmate turned up to drop something off to him, and at some point I sent Craig out to kick them outside
as I needed some quiet. So the workmate and the neighbour played cricked with the kids!
The pain was becoming pretty intense, but still the contractions were 3 minutes apart, but lasting for over a minute.
Typical of me, I should have known my contractions don't follow the textbook!
I felt that urge and said 'I think Im going to have to push soon, can you check?'
My midwife said 'Do you just want to wait, your body knows what it's doing, just see how the next couple of contractions go'
The next couple of contractions I got that urge agian, although didn't push.
Then I was like "Yup I need to push, Craig go get everyone'
The workmate took off and all 4 of my kids, plus my Mum and my neighbour came in.
I started to push and it hurt so freakin bad! I felt like I couldn't go on anymore.Everyone was really encouraging, telling me that I was nearly there and that I could do it
and that I was doing so wee.
I think it was about 3 pushes and her head was out, and I was bellowing like a cow. 2 more pushes and her body was out. Craig scooped her up out of the water
and held her for a minute, my hands had gone all crampy and funny and I couldnt get my fingers to 'unlock' to hold her!
It was 3:30! I'd really only had a 3.5 hour established labour. (This impressed me somewhat... and Craig too,who had requested that I have a day birth for once :)He'd also requested a baby with dark hair
and he got his wish too! )
Craig arranged her on my chest so that I could hold her with my arms. I was so relieved... looking at the video
I'd say she descended pretty quickly cos I pushed her out in 5 minutes... probably why it hurt sooo bad.
I'd never moaned and bellowed like that when I've given birth before!
We waited until the cord stopped pulsing and cut it. Craig had some skin to skin time with the baby whilst I waited to deliver the placenta.
Placenta delivered... I had a shower....and we annouced her name. Iris Emmeline 8pound9.
We were both utterly thrilled with the homebirth and couldnt' believe we'd again been blessed with such a beautiful healthy baby again.

[TheGreenSheep]

Oh congratulations, sounds like a lovely birth with your 'entourage'! Gorgeous name!!

[Zanbam]

CONGRATULATIONS! And welcome Iris, what a fantastic entry to the world you had.

[Jaffacakes]

Great story and love her name too

Congrats

[deejie]

Congratulations and welcome earthside Iris. What a beautiful birth

[Leslie Knope]

Congratulations! Such a beautiful name.

[monkeys mum]

I saw you post in another thread and was wondering how you went.

Congratulations!! You chose a beautiful name for your dd!

[GlitterFarts]

aaawwwww what a fabulous birth story!! <3 <3 <3

Congrats!!

[Cacti]

Congratulations, lovely lovely name you picked.

[*angelmama*]

Congrats again, Cherish! What a beautiful birth story