The theme was surrender - I found this time a lot harder than River’s birth because I was in my head more doubting that my body could do what it had done before and trying to force the surges to keep coming. Each time I broke down, gave up and surrendered they came at me like a tidal wave. I even had a sleep on the floor in my transition phase to be woken by an almighty surge calling me to get up and birth my baby.

It was amazing having all the knowledge we had learnt from our private session with you and watching it play out in almost an out of body experience, watching the birthing process take over. 

I went into labour spontaneously at home at around 2:30am. At that time, I was 40 + 4 (in the middle of summer!!) and feeling ready to meet my baby. I was so pleased to go into labour naturally, as I was starting to get nervous about having to be induced. I remember being so excited when I felt what I was sure was my first few contractions and opened the blinds in my room so I could watch the sun come up on the day I expected my baby to be born. Contractions started 10mins apart and I tried to relax as much as possible using the breathing techniques for relaxation between each contraction. I used a lot of breathing and swaying in the early stages and the contractions built to about 5mins apart by mid-morning. I felt confident, strong and excited labouring at home.

The midwives asked if I minded if my baby was born in the water. I said I didn’t really care where he was born. They were happy with that and said I had to get ready to meet my baby. The next contraction hit then while I was still kneeling over the edge of the bath. The midwife said to do whatever my body needed to do. They just asked me to open my legs wider to make room and keep my bottom down under the water. He was born in 5 minutes with maybe 3 pushes. No time for Lee to catch him as he shot forwards between my legs and I was able to bring him straight up out of the water onto my chest. Eamon was so calm and didn’t cry. He was just looking up at us.

The Obstetrician just made it in time as 11minutes of pushing later, our baby girl was in our arms.. I was thinking  “my vagina is huuuuge” while she was crowning like you taught us! What a magical moment to meet her! “

Thank you for providing an environment which develops and supports such belief in ourselves and our bodies, while also promoting physical strength and relaxation. I can honestly say my pregnancy and the birth were much easier for it.  How grateful I am for having had the opportunity to attend Yogababy’s pregnancy and active birth classes.

Going to hospital in established labour is recommended for first time, low risk pregnant mothers with spontaneous labours that have started at home. There is some great research that shows it is better to wait till you’re in established or active labour before going to hospital. You increase your risks of a Cesarean birth if you go into early. Attend a Active Birth Workshop with your partner to gain the confidence to stay home and manage labour and then go to hospital knowing you are in good established labour.

Yogababy and my amazing midwife gave me the skills, confidence and the determination to push through my labor when I was so scared that I couldn’t do it. The private Active Birth session my husband and I attended with Suzanne was so important too, as it gave my partner the knowledge and confidence to know what to expect and how to best support me through the different stages of labor.