Alice's first-time home birth,
My first-time Doula birth!
A story of power and advocacy from 2021.
Full disclosure: Alice is one of my ride-or-die women, we lived together at uni and have shared life's highs, lows and everything in between for almost 20 years. So when she asked me to support her at her homebirth a few years after I had my second baby it felt like a HUGE honour, and of course I said yes without hesitation. At this time, I'd been dreaming of birth work, but hadn't really done anything about it. When Alice called me her doula it made me realise I already was one!
Alice was sure she wanted to birth at home, in a place where she felt safe and undisturbed. During pregnancy she was told she was going to have a big baby, and didn't feel well supported by her care team for her home birth plans. We chatted about not needing 'permission' from anyone to give birth where she felt was right, Alice consumed a WHOLE LOT of empowering, evidence based information about physiological birth, and she made a plan for an 'out of guidance' home birth with her care team.
Alice was 10 days past her due date when she went into labour, conveniently the early stages were during my hospital working day then as soon as my shift ended it was time for me to hit the road (only 3 hours to Birmingham!)
I arrived to the most beautiful sight. A birth cave, dark walls with affirmations pinned up, fairy lights, relaxing music. Just the most vibey, cosy, warm treat for the senses. Alice was in the flow of labour, rocking, swaying and moaning her way through intense contractions with her partner and mum supporting her.
A short while after me, the community midwives arrived and they were clearly unhappy supporting a first time mum birthing her 'big' baby at home. After they had completed their initial observations, I calmly spoke to them in a different room, stating that Alice was well prepared, well informed and she had chosen to give birth at home knowing the risks that had already been explained to her previously. Alice had prepared a thorough birth plan with supporting written information saying she didn't want to discuss risks while she was in labour, and with some firm advocacy, they agreed not to suggest a transfer in to hospital at that time.
Alice laboured powerfully and instinctively. She asked for the pool to be filled and got in without waiting for any invitation!
When Alice told us she was feeling 'pushy' the midwives suggested a vaginal examination to see if she was fully dilated. She didn't want to get out of the pool at that time, so it was offered in the water. I remember Alice finding this really uncomfortable and roaring at the midwife 'Get your fingers out of my fanny!'
Soon after that, the urge to push was undeniable, and Alice was bringing her baby down. Her body was working powerfully, but after some time the midwives became visibly uneasy about how long it was taking, so they started encouraging Alice to hold her breath and push hard. I knew this wasn't what Alice wanted so calmly reminded her to follow her body. I was aware there were a lot of voices in the room at a time when Alice had hoped for calm and quiet, so tried to remain a grounding anchor.
An ambulance was called (still not sure why) and the paramedics came into the house. I greeted them outside the birth room and with nothing to do they waited in the hallway! I wanted to shield Alice from any disturbance as much as possible.
Once Henry's head was born there was a silent pause while Alice waited for the next contraction. This was my first time witnessing birth, and seeing Henry's face under the water is something I will never forget!
His body was born next and Alice took her sweet, beautiful time to study his face and his body before bringing him on to her chest. Once out of the pool there was concern about bleeding, so Alice received the injection to speed up the birth of the placenta. Alice had a significant vaginal tear, which the midwives recommended to be repaired in hospital.
Henry was a perfect, chunky 10lb3! I gently supported his dad as he dressed him for the first time while we prepared everything that was needed for the transfer to hospital.
Alice had the home birth that she dreamed of! This was her birth as a powerful, protective mother, and also the birth of me as a doula! An experience I will forever be grateful for.
Megan's Speedy Hospital Birth.
A journey of trust and surrender from 2023
Megan came to me during her third pregnancy, hoping to feel more supported, calm and in conctrol during this birth.
She had a previously difficult birth experience, and she wanted to know that she had someone on her team who would advocate for her and support her to feel empowered during the birth of her third baby.
Megan's previous births were fast, so she was initially unsure about whether to plan a home or hospital birth, but her instincts told her that the hospital would feel safer and more practical.
We completed a full antenatal birth preparation and hypnobirthing course together with her husband during pregnancy, and when the time came to meet her baby she was so strong and confident!
She called me in the early hours, and beacuse her previous births had been fast i went straight to her at home. Once i got there it was clear she felt she was in established labour and things were moving fast so we called the midwifery led birthing unit and headed in as soon as wel could.
Her labour was intense, contractions were really powerful, and she got in the zone in the car with some drum and bass and an eye mask, just rocking it and doing her thing all the way.
As soon as we stepped through the doors of the hospital, Megan's waters broke on the welcome mat, and her contractions were incredibly intense and powerful at this time. I had called ahead to the birthing unit so the midwives met us with a wheelchair which Megan perched on, and we were quickly shown to the birthing room.
We started running the pool as this had been something Megan had wanted to try, but in the end there was no time! Megan found a forward leaning kneeling position, and continued her labour there. She felt intense pressure in her hips as the baby descended, but with reassurance and soothing comfort measures she continued to ride the intensity with self trust and confidence. Within half an hour her baby was here, met with the sound of his dad's 4am wake up alarm!
Megan enjoyed uninterrupted bonding time with her baby and got breastfeeding off to a wonderful start with all the oxytocin in the room!
She headed home the same day and proudly introduced her older boys got to their new baby brother.
