A birth story from M.

​So my waters broke at 7.30pm but I was fine and ate dinner knowing it could be a long night. Period pain-like contractions started around 9 but we’re pretty painless. Around 11.30 they cranked up to be quite painful so from 12-1am I timed them and they were all at least 5 mins apart and at least 30-40 secs long. Woke my mum up at 1 knowing it was time to get moving (I live an hour away from Hastings) however we both managed to waste another hour so were attempting to leave at 2- right when I was transitioning. After getting in and out of the car we finally started to head out my 6km gravel road. I asked to stop 3 times and on the third I got out and pushed!! I didn’t really have much of a choice. So from then on I was pushing the whole way with each contraction- feeling a huge amount of pressure down very low with each push. We arrived at hospital and I was met escorted in by my midwife and a midwife on duty. After stopping 3 to push 3 times on the way to the room I was helped straight into the pool as they knew this was where I wanted to be. INSTANT relief being in the water- the most id felt over the last 3 hours. My student midwife checked heartbeat then was getting prepared to examine me when my baby’s head came out so she didn’t get a chance! With just his head out I was told to reach down and feel the baby’s head - it was absolutely amazing! While waiting on the next contraction to bring his body out my mum came in from parking the car- needless to say she was quite shocked to see baby’s head already out! Contraction came and so did he- with my mum pulling him from the water straight to my chest- a moment I’ll never forget. Had a third degree tear which needed some stitching but seemed like nothing at the time! I’m so grateful for the 4 hours uninterrupted skin on skin that followed the birth. I honestly can’t wait to do it all again!