I want to preface this by saying I wrote it almost 1.5yrs ago and my feelings about certain aspects have changed since then. I will write about those at the end.

had a bit of a slow start to my pregnancy, we had endured a miscarriage at 8 weeks and then were unable to get pregnant again, so we undertook fertility treatment which meant that my entire pregnancy was monitored by an OB. Luckily we knew the OB rather well (I had first seen himover the last 3 yrs for cervical C probs) and he was very understanding and supportive of my feelings and needs throughout the pregnancy/birth.

At about my 34 week check the OB started getting the tape measure out to measure my belly and would say Wow, bub is going to be big. This of course terrified me. I knew I was huge I didn't need anyone telling me!!! How was I going to birth a baby that a professional thought was huge!!!
So after discussing my feelings and fears with my prenantal yoga teacher and friends they empowered me to talk to the OB about this. He immediately stopped using the tape measure and told me he was sorry and that he just meant that it was a very healthy baby (Thankyou).

At my 40wk check (the Wednesday 3 days before my EDD) we discussed induction if I went over and I was booked in for the following week (I was beginning to be very puffy and swollen). I went home and cried telling DH I didn't want an induction and he said to wait 'til Monday and we would ring and cancel it if I hadn't changed my mind.

On Friday I spent the day tidying talking to bub telling him it was almost time to come into the world. In the afternoon I spent some time doing nipple stimulation while sitting in the nursery, then that evening I spent as much time as possible squatting to try and naturally induce labour.

At 6.30am I woke in the loungeroom (our airconditioner is in the lounge - 'nough said) with an achy back, I figured it was 'cause I was sleeping on the couch, but when I went to the toilet I had a small show. Although I was excited (and very happy) I went back to sleep as I had had it drummed into me that I would need my rest for labour, and it may be days before the birth anyway.

When I woke again around 8am I was having period like pain, but I pretty much ignored it and cooked DH and I a big brekky of pancakes as I was starving. We had planned to go to Wynnum for the day, but after I told DH I was in prelabour he decided we should stay close to home. I rang Mum, told her nothing was happening as I knew she would call me and ask as he was due that day and we didn't want a million people calling saying has she had the bub yet. We went shopping and got a few bits and pieces "just in case" and then after lunch I went to lay down for a nap.

A 2pm I awoke to the "POP" of my waters breaking as I raced to the bathroom I called for DH and told him what had happened. He rang the midwives and they told me I had to come in. I argued the point as I had wanted to labour at home for as long as possible and I hadn't even had a contraction yet. But I gave in and we packed up the car putting in books and magazines aplenty preparing for a long labour. A 2.20 I had my first contraction in the car on the way to The Wesley. We parked and walked to maternity I still had only had 1 contraction.
I was put in a birthing suite where they checked me and bub. They were worried that bub wasn't moving so I had to eat some ice and once he moved a bit they told me that I would probably be a while before I got to active labour and sent me back to my room in maternity.
Dh decided to go and get our stuff from the car and I decided to go to the loo when my first really full on contraction hit. When he got back we set up the room (CD player, oils etc) and settled in but the contraction s began coming thick and fast. At 3pm I took some Flower Essence for strength and remember thinking I have to remember to have more in 3 hrs. By 4pm I was making alot of noise and was retreating into myself between contractions. The pain was intense and I only felt comfortable on my feet swaying or walking. DH sat on the bed holding my arms making low noises through the contractions which really helped. At 4.30 we still hadn't been checked on and I was getting scared. I told DH that I didn't think I could do this for another 10-12hrs, he told me he really didn't think it would be that long. I said "What the hell would you know!). He then went to find a midwife.
A maternity midwife (not labour) came and freaked during my contraction and decided to take me straight back to the labour ward (THANKYOU!!). They were short staffed and as I began to say I want to push she said OH NO, we haven't even called your OB yet (apparently they get in trouble if the OB isn't there). They put me on the bed to check me (something I now regret) and I was fully dilated. Labour slowed a little as I was on the bed, DH asked if I wanted to get down as he knew I didn't want to birth on the bed, but I told him I didn't think I could move.

I had to push and as I started my OB arrived and asked where my baby was. I glared and he took charge telling me when to push (like I needed help!) and breath. I watched in the mirror as Coopers head emerged then receded twice, then after swearing at the OB for telling me to push, I pushed his head out and he cried with his body still inside me - amazing!

With another small push I felt great relief as his body slid out and he was placed on my chest. My OB stood back as DH and I gazed in awe, it was 6.05pm.
Once the blood stopped flowing through the cord it was clamped, I was given Syntocinon to help birth the placenta and DH cut the cord. Once the placenta was birthed. We were left alone and Cooper breast fed for about 15min.



In hindsight I was lucky to have such a quick birth as there was little time for intervention. Knowing what I do now I resent the directed as I am sure that and my position caused me to tear. I also wish I had insisted on being monitored in position not on the bed. I also regret never even seeing Cooper's placenta.

My baby boy turns 2 next week - I am so grateful for his (mostly) natural birth and the things it lead me to learn about myself and the wonderful power of women.