Birth amazes me… That’s probably why I’m a Midwife. Sometimes even Midwives are surprised by birth. Like with Becca’s water birth, I would have loved to see the look on her Midwife’s face when she examined Becca! I love that even today when we have mountains and mountains of research papers we still can’t tell you exactly how your birth will pan out. It’s a mystery. This is why I recommend preparing as much as possible. Sadly, I have seen too many women fear birth. Your body was made perfectly to give birth. Sometimes you may need a little help. Sometimes you may need a lot of help. But, by preparing properly you will remove birth fear and instead achieve a positive birth experience for you and your baby.
Becca and Bo did just this. Even though they didn’t need intervention. Knowing they were in safe hands was reassuring and meant Becca could allow her body to do its thing.
‘Hi Emily,
I wanted to let you know that on 28/08/18 at 38 + 6 weeks I gave birth to our baby girl, Isla Rose, weighing 6.2lbs.
I was woken up at 2:30am by my waters breaking and strong contractions started immediately. I got in the bath to help with the pain but had to get out after being very sick! I went to give the TENS machine (I like this one) a go as I’ve many people I know have said they are amazing but the contractions stepped up a gear so we decided to go to the hospital. We got to Bournemouth Birth Centre at 4:30am where I was examined and was 3cm dilated, I then got in the pool and started on the gas and air, both took the edge off the pain but I was getting no breaks in between contractions as her head was so low which was not how I had imagined them to be! After an hour and a half I was examined again and was 9cm dilated, I got back in the pool then after a little while I felt like I wanted to push and our baby was born in the water at 6:50am. Isla was very sleepy when she was born so was more interested in napping than feeding so they kept us in for the night to help me initially hand express then eventually breast feed, the midwives were amazing and so helpful and Isla has now got the hang of it!
I feel so grateful that my birth went so smoothly, however, had it have been a different story then I know I would have been fully prepared thanks to the Talking Babies classes which I recommend to everyone, thanks Emily!
All the best,
Becca, Bo & Isla’
Talking Babies Takes a Closer Look
‘Isla was very sleepy when she was born so was more interested in napping than feeding so they kept us in for the night to help me initially hand express then eventually breast feed…’
Newborn babies can lose energy very quickly. They too have just been through the birth process. Therefore, it is really important for a newborn baby to feed regularly. It was recommended to Becca to hand express her milk initially so ensure sleepy, baby Isla didn’t become poorly. Once she had enough energy she could then latch to feed.
To support Becca’s wish to breastfeed in this instance the Midwives and Maternity Care Assistants would have keep baby Isla close to Becca, encouraged skin to skin, encouraged and supported Becca to try and latch her baby at each feed. It didn’t take long for Isla to turn the corner and feed properly but, it would have taken perseverance from Becca, day and night. What a strong woman.
I’m sure you will join me in wishing Becca and Bo so many happy memories with their daughter Isla.
If you too would like to prepare properly like Becca and Bo it would be lovely to have you join Talking Babies on one of our 5 * Antenatal Courses. Click here.
You may also like to read: