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Birth Stories > Emma's Birth Story

Rosalia’s birth day is a day I will always look back on with a feeling of incredible happiness and a deep sense of joy. My pregnancy had been a very happy and healthy one and I had really enjoyed it.  Daniel and I had tried for 10 months before conceiving and so we were thrilled when we found out I was pregnant.  Our families and friends were also very excited for us. 

When I look back on my pregnancy I can see that it was a journey towards believing in myself and my ability to give birth naturally and without intervention.  I immediately chose to be cared for and to give birth in the Birth Centre at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Randwick.  My sister-in-law and Susan Ross’ book “Birth Right” helped me make this decision.  This was the first step in changing my perception of how I had always imagined giving birth (in a private hospital, with an obstetrician and I had always thought I would have an epidural).

The next step on my journey was to book into Julie’s “Transition to Parenthood” classes and also into the “Calmbirth” course.  The “Calm Birth” course had been recommended to me by some friends who explained to me that the course would help me with any fears I had about giving birth.  Daniel and I thoroughly enjoyed attending both courses with Julie. 

I finished working 6 weeks before my due date.  I decided that I wanted to really enjoy the last weeks of my pregnancy and also give myself the time to practice what we had learned in the calmbirth® course.  I listened to the calmbirth® CD's every day, although there were some days I didn’t manage to fit it in.  I also read the calmbirth® booklet numerous times so that I could really understand the concepts of calmbirth® Julie had gone over it all in the course but reading it again embedded it in my mind properly.  Another thing I did in preparation for the birth was to use an Epi-no, in that hope that I would not tear or need stitches. 

Daniel and I chose to have a Doula attend our birth.  This was so that both of us would feel supported by a third person in the room.  Our Doula visited us three times in the lead up to help with the preparations of our birth.  Having a Doula was an important part of the success of our birth, as knowing there was someone else to support us really allowed us both to relax and release some more of the fears we had, both in the months leading up and at the birth itself.

As my due date passed by I became a little frustrated and had to keep reminding myself to surrender my feelings and trust that Rosalia would come when she was ready.  Eight days over due I woke up at 4:30 in the morning with the first extremely mild contraction.  Daniel went to work and I spent the day at home doing normal things around the house.  I was even able to have a sleep in the afternoon for an hour (although I felt three contractions throughout the sleep).  Daniel came home that evening and we had dinner and watched TV until 10:30pm.  My contractions were getting stronger as time went on but I was able to breath through them and I thought I had a long way to go.  Daniel did not believe that I was actually having contractions and so did not take my warnings seriously when I told him I thought we would be going to the hospital that night.  Daniel had to finish a job application due the next day.  I told him he had better do it and email it off that night.  Meanwhile, I told him I would have a warm bath.  At midnight I got out of the bath and proof read Daniel’s CV in between contractions.  I then tried to get some sleep but was unable to as the contractions had increased in strength.  I told Daniel to get some sleep though as I wanted him to be okay if it was going to be a long labour.  I then laboured by myself for the next 3 hours.     It helped me to continue listening to the calmbirth® CDs and also other calming music.  I also used visualization and the breathing techniques taught in the course.

I rang the midwife twice throughout this time and both times she listened to my contractions.  As I was so calm she did not think that I was advanced enough to go into the hospital.  At 3 o’clock I felt it was time to go and I was getting tired of being by myself.  I woke Daniel up and we drove to the hospital.  We entered the Birth Centre and the midwife watched me have a contraction but decided I was probably only 2cm dilated and had to attend to another lady giving birth.  After another half an hour the midwife came back and examined me, she told us not to be disappointed as she may have to send us back home again.  On examination she found that I was actually 7cm.  I was incredibly relieved that I did not have to get back in the car and go home.  We were all surprised at how advanced I was. 

Daniel called our Doula and our wonderful midwife began running the bath for me.  At that stage I still was not certain that I wanted to have a water birth, I just thought that the water would help me to relax more.  The feeling of the warm water was beautiful and just what I needed to continue through the contractions calmly.  Our Doula arrived and with Daniel they were both wonderful in attending to my needs. 

At 8 cm dilation my waters still had not broken and I was getting a little frustrated wondering when they would break.  Our midwife suggested that she could manually break them.  Although I was hesitant she suggested that this would speed things along.  After this my contractions were a little stronger but still bearable.  It was not long afterwards that I felt the urge to begin pushing.  I knew it was time, but it was surprisingly difficult for me to physically know how to push.  I had been dealing with the contractions for so long and I knew exactly how to get through each one without much trouble. When it came time to bear down it took me a few contractions before I figured out what to do. I used visualization of a rose bud opening and when I breathed I breathed down visualizing a capital “J” (breathing down and out of my uterus). Half and hour later our beautiful little girl was born in the water.  I only had a couple very small abrasions that did not require stitching. 

I felt amazing after the birth – Euphoric.  It was the biggest physical challenge I had achieved in my life and it felt wonderful that I had been able to feel everything throughout.  I will never forget that day or the feeling of achievement that I felt giving birth to our little girl.  Physically I was so healthy after the birth I felt I could have gone home after 4 hours, however I decided to stay in the hospital as it was my first baby.  Rosalia has changed our lives forever – we had no idea that you can love someone so much.

 

 

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Editor's Note:    Emma and her partner attended both of Julie's courses as have a number of their friends since.

Emma said they have sent a number of their friends to the courses and although they've all birthed in a variety of ways including c.section they've been pleased to be so well informed of the process and caring for their baby after the birth.

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