Calmbirth Birth Story - Kayla, Jake and Baby Logan - "We are absolutely smitten"

Couldn’t have asked for a smoother pregnancy, labour and birth.

 

Ended up needing to be induced because Logan has some asymmetrical growth at our 38 week appointment with the OB. At that appointment I was already 2cm dilated. Induction was booked in for Thursday the 10th (39+3) and the plan was to have a balloon for the night and then water broken in the morning. Ended up already being 4cm dilated and so no balloon was needed. Stayed the night at the hospital. Set up the birth room with all my fairy lights, diffuser and played my birth playlist almost all night. We had the oxytocin flying high to try and settle the nerves and prepare for the following day. Had my waters broken around 8.30-9am. Had to have an antibiotic drop as I was GBS positive. Oxytocin drip started and things moved along very quickly.

 

Ended up being only a 3 hour labour. It was so quick, I didn't even get to use the bath like I was planning on. Only used a tens machine. No pain meds. Used lots of breathing techniques and moved freely in the room - birth ball, standing, leaning over the end of the bed, and then ended up feeling most comfortable on all fours on the bed. Didn't realise I could make such primal noises. It was a real eye opener for Jake. I had the best birth team too - Jake, a midwife, grad midwife and a student midwife and my OB Bronwyn Hamilton. I thought having all those people in the room would be distracting but honestly I was so focused of breathing, that I forgot they were all there. They had to be hands on too because the foetal monitor kept falling off/moving when I would move, so they took it in turns to hold it in place while I moved around. 

I could feel him distending too and tried to breathe him down. I could tell that I was near the end but that collapse in confidence was starting to overcome me. That's when I heard that Bronwyn was on her way and would be there any minute. Hearing that was like having heavens angels singing and I was able to keep going with just the tens machine. No instrumental assistance, no episiotomy, no tears. Only a graze to my labia - which I think was from his finger nails because he came out with a hand against his face. I have 2 stitches and apparently it's almost healed already. Did need the gas to deliver my placenta though - she was a bit stubborn.

 

Was very shocked with how quick and smooth everything went. I really owe it to all the education I got from your Calmbirth workshop. Without it, I don't think it would have gone that smoothly. 

 

Spent 5 nights in hospital. My milk has come in and I'm able to breast feed Logan. Latching well (after a few attempts) and he has lots of wet nappies. My boobs really do hurt because they are massive and rock hard. But I've been told it is swelling from the milk coming in and should settle down. 

 

We arrived home today and settling in well. Hopefully our first night home goes good. 

 

We have a midwife coming on Friday (part of the care plan package under my OB) as well as the MCHN sometime soon. 

 

I have got your email on speed dial (or speed type) for if I need some help with lactation. I think I'll be reaching out to you soon. The plan is to exclusively breastfeed for a few weeks/months and then maybe introduce pumping to get Jake to do some bottle feeding. But we will see how the next few weeks go first. 

 

 

Well wishes,