My Birth Story

 Only a mere twelve days overdue, I had succumbed to the fact that in less than forty eight hours, I would be booked into the hospital and the slow process of an induction would take place. At that point in time, I didn't care, I knew that by Monday morning The Janitor and I would have our ever longed for babe in arms, and we would be a family of three.

There had been many false starts and plenty of times when I had prepared myself and The Janitor for labour.....but to no avail.

So the morning of the ninth of October 2013, was just another morning. Even after BIG signs (leaky waters), I still did not believe our baby was coming anytime soon. A coffee in town, home called and another day was spent overdue.

After getting into bed at 23:00 hours. My waters leaked again and as I was not able to settle, I paced the bungalow beginning to realise that this was in fact, it.
Contractions began steadily and were at first comforting. I quietly made The Janitor aware of the situation, telling him to sleep another hour, it was going to be along night after all. I think I needed some time alone, to mentally prepare myself for the next few hours.

My mom was staying at the time and she was up out of bed ensuring all was ok. She was so careful not to get in the way of me and The Janitor, aware that this was our time and was intimate and special.
I can't tell you how relieved I was that she was there - did I mention she was a midwife??

By two am, there was not much let up between contractions. Breathing techniques had really been helping and a bath was ok for a time. However I knew that the time was coming where I was going to have to decide if I could make it to the birthing centre - twenty five minutes away, or the hospital - ten minutes away.... Can you believe I was still undecided?!

Having ruled out a home birth due to living next door to a school (it all felt a bit too close!), the birthing centre seemed like the best option for me. Plus I was guaranteed a birthing pool which was what I had my heart set on.
That was until four am when my contractions were unbearable and I knew I needed some intervention, fast.
It went something like this - "Just get me to the f****** hospital" "Wont you be so kind as to take me to the hospital", and off we went!

Sick bowl at the ready, mom offered to ride with us, holding the sick bucket, and me, while The Janitor drove.
 What mom didn't tell me until a few days later, was that she thought she may have to deliver our baby on the back seat (could you imagine!).
But we made it, phew. The Janitor and I were safely in our room.
From then on I didn't speak, I couldn't be touched, stroked, talked to, let alone think about getting into water. I had an active labour and continued to pace and pull some rather unattractive yoga(ish) moves!....
Sucking the life out of that gas + air, a speedy four hours later, our boy was born. All 7lbs 8oz of him. With a startled look and a cone for a head, he had changed our lives in an instant.

With the birth over, I was asking to go home - well, I had done what I needed to in the hospital, surely that was it... I was ready to start family life and hit the hay!
Or maybe not! Meconium had been passed during birth and both Evan and myself needed monitoring in hospital for twelve hours.
Surprisingly it resulted in time that we appreciated. With plenty of skin to skin, we enjoyed being alone, close and getting acquainted. It didn't matter where we were, our eyes only met each others. We lay together, the boys sleeping, me wired and weary, watching the rise and fall of their chests.

The Janitor had been a perfect birthing partner. I only caught him drifting off once and most importantly, he stuck to his promise to not make me laugh.

My mom was a godsend. Holding me through contractions, easing the pain, making me feel safe. Giving both myself and The Janitor the support we so much needed. I believe we all grew closer in those few hours.

We arrived home that night, to the warmest, cosiest bungalow I have ever known.
Candles lit, flowers, champagne, yummy food and a hot water bottle in Evans bed nest.
My heart was filled with joy and overflowing with love.
 Bringing Evan into his home, wrapped up so small in his car seat to meet his Nanny, was a very proud moment for myself and The Janitor. I shall remember the smells, the smiles and the warmth forever. From that moment, we felt like a family and our house became a home.

This first year has passed faster than I could ever have imagined. There have been high times, low times, sleepless times, but most of all happy times filled with love.
Our lives have changed so much. I have changed so much.
I am thankful for the amazing experience of pregnancy and birth and will look back always with fondness.