The contractions (sensations) started in the afternoon, but felt very slow and mild, like period pains. I knew that something was shifting by a sudden big shift in energy levels, as I suddenly felt exhausted and all I wanted to do was rest and eat. Like I was preparing for the task ahead! I felt excited too as everything was ready.

Pool was up, tens machine and birth tools all ready (birth art up and relaxation scripts to hand, relaxing music ready, food and drinks all set) and very importantly our doula Lara was on call for us! We had our ‘birth preferences’ all ready with help with Lara and I felt confident we’d thoroughly mentally prepared ourselves. Through the night I could hardly sleep as the sensations were becoming frequent. Still not painful but too distracting to sleep, especially lying down. After a time I woke my husband David up who was very excited and jumped into gear, strapped my tens machine on me and set about reading me relaxation scripts. This really helped and It felt a really cozy night, though I felt a bit of disbelief, wondering if this was really happening! The following day felt exciting. David rang work to stay home with me. We planned to bake a cake and watch a film, neither things happened! We went out shopping for cake ingredients and spent the rest of the day resting as much as possible.  It felt a bit weird cancelling things planned in the dairy for that week, and I kept checking myself, is this it? I contacted Lara, feeling in need of reassurance that she would be here as soon as I needed her, but not knowing when this would be! Each time I experienced a sensation David would offer me a massage and I would drape myself over the pregnancy ball and use the tens machine.

Lara arrived around 4pm and I remember worrying that she would need to leave for some reason, and feeling intensely relived that she was here with me. Having Lara there felt very affirming and reassuring, I knew it was going to be fine. Her presence was very relaxing and it felt like we were all in the same zone. Lara helped us get the birth environment all ready as we’d planned. We had the music playing, an oil infuser of some kind and electronic candles.  Now all I needed and wanted around me was Lara and David.  Anything else was a distraction. My parents arrived but I stayed in my room and didn’t talk to them, after a while they wisely left. By now the sensations were around 5 mins apart and so we contacted the homebirth team. Advised to call back, after which the sensations had slowed slightly. By this point the sensations were more intense. Now all that helped was massage and soothing words from David and Lara,use of the tens machine and hot showers on my lower back. David contacted the midwives again who informed us that they were busy at another birth and cannot be with us for a while. or the alternative of hospital is offered. I refused this and decided to stay at home as planned. Around 10pm I got in our pool and it felt warm and gorgeous. Finally I could rest a bit and relax more. David sung to me and reads out relaxation scripts whilst Lara offered massage to my lower back and poured water on it which felt amazing and really helped with the intense pressure. Lara took control and contacted the midwives and organised them to attend our birth. The relief! Felt very aware that it feels a safe and secure environment. Also feel very aware that don’t want Lara and David to leave me, we’re a team! Lara provided me with nourishment through drinks and food and homepathy tablets which help sustain me. As I reach the transition stage find breathing through the sensations more difficult as they are feeling more intense. This worries me but talking to Lara calms me down as she encourages me with the breathing.

The midwife finally arrives and at this point feel convinced I need gas and air which I demand on their arrival. This arrives soon, followed by second midwife. Am very aware of how calm and quiet the environment is which is lovely, I don’t want any disturbances. I hardly notice the midwives are there. They monitor me very discreetly and tell me how beautifully my body is doing. The gas and air seems to work as a distraction. I become aware that my baby must be coming soon, by feeling like I need a poo! Also the midwives start preparing for the baby. The pushing starts and it is very intense, but also easier in a way because I know the baby is working her way out. Feel aware of noises I’m making as I push. My Mum then arrives as Aoife is birthed in the early hours of the 9/6. It is a beautiful and overwhelming moment. I cannot believe she is out, my beautiful baby! My greatest achievement! I hold her and she starts feeding, though am so tired and overwhelmed I need help holding her and feeding her. It is the best most pure and beautiful moment I have ever experienced!

“I’m so proud of how we all worked as a team to reach such a beautiful awe inspiring moment. I’m also so happy that we received the amazing emotional and practical support from our doula, and invested in this for our birth. Words cannot express the gratitude felt towards Lara for her help and kindness. We had the birth we wanted, and we felt so incredibly lucky and blessed.”  – Orla Leeds September 2015, following the homebirth of her first child