MATTHEWS BIRTH STORY
A Home Water Birth
I was woken at 0700hrs with an almighty contraction. I’d had a feeling the night before that it was just about time, so I was well prepared. I was planning a homebirth this time around as I’d had a previous hospital and Birth Centre birth. This time I preferred to stay at home in my own environment with my husband Brett, and two other children, Jarrod and Melanie.
I was planning a waterbirth, as I had done previously, so I had the tub set up ready in the lounge room, where I could see out into the garden. I had all my special things arranged in the room – my picture of the ‘Madonna’, some fresh flowers, crystals, oil burner with all my oils ready, C.D. player and music (relaxation and belly dancing music), and family photo. I had my flower and gem essences ready to take and my Aromatherapy massage blend all set to go.
At 0815hrs I rang my midwife (Kate) to let her know I was in labour. I hadn’t had a show at this point and my membranes were still intact, but I felt like things were moving along quite quickly. I was contracting every 2-3minutes. I also rang my parents, who were my support team. Mum had been my ‘Doula’ for the previous two births and Dad had been at the first but missed the second. They always proved to be a wonderful help with support for Brett and myself and the other children.
Once I’d called everyone the contractions seemed to slow down to 5-10 minutes apart. I decided to have a shower and eat some breakfast just in case it turned out to be a long day after all. Brett cooked up a big pot of porridge and we all sat down to eat. I managed to get through with only a couple of contractions and it felt like labour was fizzling out.
It was about 10 o’clock before anyone arrived as Dad had to be called back home from the golf course, and Kate had to drive across to the other side of town to pick up all her instruments. They had been dropped off for sterilising, following a birth the previous night.
There was a knock on the door. I answered it to find Mum and Dad expecting to see me in full on labour. I was feeling like a bit of a fake at this point. Once they were in and settled I got a couple of whopper contractions which took me completely by surprise. But when they were finished, I felt bright and alert. It wasn't until Kate arrived at 1045hrs that it really started happening! I had the most full on, sharp, bottom piercing contractions that I’ve ever experienced. It felt like I was sitting on a spear! Now I was desperate to go to the toilet (as a midwife, I know this is a sign of second stage – but I had to go!). I was sitting on the toilet feeling the head looming down and all I could hear was Kate saying “get off the toilet Faye, you’re having your baby”.
It was lucky that Brett had taken charge of getting the tub ready for me, because we made a cross-legged manoeuvre for it in between contractions. I climbed into it with great relief, just in time for the head to start emerging. I had the pleasure and the honour of guiding my sons’ head out into the warm water. Matthew Joseph Read was born at 1118hrs (just 33 minutes after Kate’s arrival), on Wednesday 5th July 1995.
The first thing Matthew saw was a sea of faces peering in at him from the edge of the tub. There was Mum and Dad, his brother Jarrod, sister Melanie, Gran and Granddad and Kate. He floated around for a while, taking it all in before settling into me for his first breastfeed while we snuggled together in the warm tub.
After about half an hour we decided to get out of the tub for the delivery of the placenta, which came away nicely and all together. I cut the cord for Matthew, which seemed very symbolic. Later we showed the inquisitive kids what it was and how it worked. They were rather fascinated. We then wrapped Matthew up all nice and warm while I went off to have a shower.
The birth took place on a Wednesday, and as this is the day that my family usually gets together, we phoned my two sisters and invited them to come over and have ‘family day’ at our house. They both arrived soon after, loaded up with food and drinks for lunch. We all sat down together to celebrate the wonderful event with a mandatory glass of champagne. When I came down from my ‘High’, I decided to slip upstairs and have a sleep with my new baby. The others crept out quietly a little later on.
About a week later, we had a private little ‘naming ceremony’ in our backyard between those present on the birth day, and then we planted the placenta under a special rose bush that we had bought for the occasion.
I had the most wonderful birth experience that I could ever have hoped for. I thank my wonderful family and midwife for all their fantastic support.