We are Georgia and Dom. Georgia is a Chartered Accountant and Dom is a Chemical Engineer and we are parents to Oakley (currently 12 weeks olds).
I was most excited to finally hold my baby. HPHB helped me prepare for the birth and create a birth plan. They explained what would happen during the birth and all the different kinds of pain relief available, breathing techniques and positions to try. They focused on mindset which was extremely helpful!
Derby Royal Hospital – Birth Suite. It was really nice, the bed and bean bags were comfy. The water birth room was amazing, the bath was lovely and warm. There were fairy lights on the ceiling but can’t say I noticed them much as I didn’t look up.
I woke around 3:30 a.m. for my usual toilet break and felt what I thought was another Braxton Hicks. After the third one, I knew this was it! Dom jumped up, frantically finishing the hospital bag and timing contractions, about eight minutes apart. I tried to rest but couldn’t relax. I went downstairs and knelt over the table while Dom did back rubs and hip squeezes, they helped so much! By 6 a.m., the app said it was time, so I called the midwives and we headed to the hospital. The midwives were amazing, calm and kind. They read my birth preferences and offered gas and air, then an oramorph later. I’d wanted a water birth, but the pool was taken, so they showed us another room with a bath. Luckily, the water suite soon became free, and I hopped straight in.
After a while, I asked for an exam, worried I was only 2cm. Turns out I was already 7cm! That gave me such a boost. Labour ramped up fast. I was exhausted, breathing through contractions with gas and air while Dom reassured me through every wave. Then came transition, I called for an epidural, but it was too late! The midwife could already see the head. I’m glad now, as I’d wanted to avoid one. The “ring of fire” was real, but I kept breathing. A few contractions later, my baby was here. I reached down and lifted him out of the water myself, a true “self birth,” as the midwives called it. I stayed in the pool cuddling and feeding him while the midwives kept us warm. It felt peaceful and unhurried. After an hour, Dom cut the cord and held our baby while I knelt again. A few more contractions, and the placenta was out. I was checked, a small tear, no stitches. Then came the best tea and toast of my life, and our first quiet moments together.
We snuggled for hours before they weighed him while I showered. That bonding time was everything. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever done, but also the most empowering. Once you’re holding your baby, the pain really does disappear. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Up Breathing – 5/5. I did this through the entire labour. Kept me calm and relaxed.
Water – 5/5. Was lovely and warm, relaxing, natural pain relief.
TENS Machine – 2.5/5. Not really sure this worked but acted as a distraction. Sometimes felt too much and a bit weird so didn’t use it on the high settings.
Gas and Air 5/5. Made me feel a bit woozy while breathing it. I did throw up at first but then it was great!
Aromatherapy 5/5. Helped increase contractions as they slowed down slightly when I got to hospital. Also used them after birth to help deliver the placenta.
Lying on my back 0/5. Only did this for the internal examination that I asked for. Worst contractions ever! Immediately got back on my knees.
Kneeling 5/5 spent 99% of labour in this position. Let me rock and move more freely to create room in the birth canal.
Hip squeezes 5/5 these really helped with pain management while rocking forward and back time with my breathing.
Relief – the pain literally just stops! Amazed at how small he was, slightly panicked as it took him a few seconds to cry but was reassured by the midwife that it’s sometimes normal in a water birth as it’s gentler for the baby and they don’t know they’re born yet.
The first days were amazing. He was so sleepy and cuddly, very easy! Gave me chance to recover as there was no rocking to sleep or anything. My partner was very helpful making sure I had everything within reach. Feeding was quite difficult as he was so snoozy due to the heat wave and also had a bit of jaundice. We didn’t know that sunlight helps get rid of this so that would have been helpful to know. We ended up on a feeding plan using expressed breast milk in a bottle to basically force feed him every 3 hours. He soon regained birth weight and was back on boob only.
Getting out the house on day 4. It was just a walk down the street but staying in the house makes me go a little stir crazy so it was good to get some fresh air. We then went to the pub on day 5 as I thought there’s no difference to me sitting at home on the sofa to me sitting in a chair at the pub. We drove there and back so minimal walking required and Oakley slept the entire time.
Feeding. He didn’t eat much to begin with as he was so sleepy so dropped 11% of his birth weight in the first few days. The midwives put us on a feeding plan which meant Dom had to try and wake Oakley by blowing in his face, a cold wet wipe, anything really and practically force feed him a bottle of expressed breast milk. Anytime I got close he just fell asleep again which the midwives said was due to him smelling my hormones and feeling safe. He was back to birth weight by 2 weeks and was much more alert. We then moved back to just breast and have been great ever since. Breast feeding was very painful for several weeks and perfecting the latch is still being worked on at week 12 but it’s no where near as painful as it was. Nipple balm after every feed and silverettes have been a life saver!
All of it. Just looking at him. I created a whole human being who’s perfect in every way, it’s incredible!
The fear when feeling the “ring of fire”. I was terrified of tearing. Luckily I only had a small tear which didn’t require any stitches. The midwife told me to try and slow down by breathing through a contraction then push on the next. I decided I still wanted to breath through them so took a few more contractions but he came out himself.
Not taking hand and foot pictures/prints in the first few days he was born. He’s grown so much so quickly!!
We meet up so regularly before and after the birth of all our babies. We now have a weekly meet up planned every Tuesday at M&S for the baby club and have booked several classes together. We have also planned a Christmas get together! We have the main group chat but also a separate chat for the girls and boys. This has been so helpful where we discuss any queries we have or just need so reassurance. There’s also photos of our babies poonamies in there too for a bit of a laugh!
The handheld fan. It gets very warm after while breathing through all those contractions.
Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel!
Graco sway and grow chair. Seems strange but the position is great for getting him to poo. It’s now known as the poo chair! It also helps keep him asleep. He tries to wake up but the swaying sends him straight back off again.
Moses basket.
Have a water birth! I loved it, so hope others do too.
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