It’s been a whole week since HRH entered the world, so I thought it only right that I share his wonderful birth story with you all today. I’m still thinking up a blog alias for him, but for now HRH seems to work on quite a few levels!
I spent my due date feeling utterly rotten; I was holed up in bed, hot water bottle on my chest, barely able to speak. I prayed that Peppercorn wouldn’t decide to arrive, as there was no way I was in a fit state to look after Busby, let alone give birth… So when I woke up the following day (Tuesday 23rd June) completely healthy and full of beans, I knew his arrival would be imminent.
I began having surges about 8.30am while eating breakfast in bed with Busby. Not wanting to overreact or get too excited, I told Nick to head into work as “they were probably nothing”. I downloaded an app to track the surges, as felt like they were perhaps starting to become regular…
At 9.30am I called Nick and told him to come home – the surges were becoming more regular; lasting 60 seconds and were between 2-4 minutes apart. I also called my in-laws and asked them to come and pick Busby up (after texting them earlier to say I wouldn’t need any help today as was feeling better!!!).
Nick called the Midwife for me when he got home as I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to talk through the surges, and we were told that the Community Midwife I’d been seeing since we moved would be coming over to check me. We had excellent rapport and she was all for Home Birth, so I was very glad she would be birthing my baby! By this point the surges were ramping up and I was putting my Hypnobirthing breathing to good use, whilst leaning up against our larder door! Nick and Busby put up the birthing pool in preparation!
Our lovely Midwife was with us swiftly and examined me. As soon as I lay down on the sofa my surges calmed down, and although my cervix was favourable, she didn’t think I was in established labour yet. She thought Peppercorn would be here that evening, but to try and conserve my energy. She left to book another home birth, and told us to call her when she thought I was ready.
In the meantime, Busby was picked up, the gas meter man arrived and then the IKEA delivery men dropped off our order… as soon as all these tasks were out of the way, my surges ramped up again and I found myself up against the larder door once more. After being sick, I managed some toast and water, and Nick and I decided to watch an episode of Downton Abbey. By this point I was changing positions every few minutes; kneeling backwards and forwards on the birthing ball, and using Nick to lean on and do the “birth dance” through surges. I felt it was time to get the Midwife back, so she was called and he started filling up the pool.
She arrived about 12.30 and, although I wouldn’t let her examine me, she confirmed I was in established labour. She called for the second Midwife immediately. I started to go through transition – shaking with adrenalin, but remaining calm, mooing the f-word through each very powerful surge. My waters still hadn’t broken, but I could feel them bulging as I squatted… I kept saying to the Midwives and Nick “I just need my waters to break, then he’ll be here.”
Oh, how right I was!
I was finally allowed in the water, and wow, it felt amazing! I was weightless, and my surges calmed – I felt so comfortable and safe, and spent a while enjoying the warmth and floating. The Midwives suggested kneeling, using the side of the pool to lean on. As soon as I changed position we were back in business, and I felt the urge to push – I could tell the Midwives didn’t think I was ready, but Nick whispered “Do what your body wants” so I pushed and POP! my waters broke… “Something just popped!” I exclaimed (My mind not processing this properly thought the Baby’s head had just exploded!!!) and I felt an overwhelming urge to continue pushing. I could feel his head arriving, and he had so much hair that again my crazy mind went into overdrive I thought I must be birthing a bear!
I moved back into sitting position in the pool, and pushed, his little hobbit ears were a bit stuck but the rest of him came very quickly, with me guiding him into the world with my hands… before I knew it I was holding our newest family member.
Henry Rupert Harding was born at 14.31 BST, at 40 weeks + 1, after an established labour of two hours, and only six minutes after my waters broke. His birth was the most amazing, empowering experience of my life.
I didn’t have any pain relief (the thought didn’t even cross my mind!) and I received a very small graze, which I thought was pretty amazing for an 8lb 7oz baby! The Midwives both commented on how calm I was throughout (“You didn’t really need us here at all!”); I am not a calm person by nature, and the Hypnobirthing breathing and all the positive birthing preparation I’d done prior to the birth really helped keep me in the zone. Nick was also pretty fabulous throughout – keeping me focused, and talking to the Midwives on my behalf.
He was also able to cut the cord (after it had stopped pulsating), which is something he missed out on after Busby was born.
My placenta took an hour to arrive, which I delivered on the (very covered) sofa after two pushes… It was still fully intact except for a small hole where Henry had entered from! I found it all quite fascinating as the Midwife talked us through it.
Then it was time for tea, cake and cuddles!
The whole Home Birth experience was utterly amazing – I felt so relaxed and at ease in our house, and the lack of intervention and the consistency of the Midwives added to the safe, calm environment.
I trusted and believed my body could do it, and as a result I completely achieved the birth I wanted; it was so positive, so beautiful and just the perfect experience.
Oh Hannah it sounds amazing and I’m so happy that you got the birth you wanted. It’s pretty incredible what our bodies can do isn’t it? Congratulations again. Xx
Just wow Hannah, what an amazing, beautiful birth! You are so strong and I can’t believe how quick it was! If my birth is anything like this I will be over the moon xx
What a lovely birth story. This encourages me even more for a home birth, I have the assessment booked for next week and I will be pointing my friends to your post if I hear another oooo aren’t you worried? Aren’t you brave. Aren’t you worried about the mess? Such a beautiful and natural way to deliver. Best wishes as a new family of 4 🙂
Hannah it sounds as though your birth was everything you wanted it to be - I’m so pleased for you . Your story is so inspirational, so thanks for sharing lovely. I hope you are all settling into life as a family of four and you and HRH are doing well xxx
Ah, beautiful, beautiful birth story. I really need to write up Little E’s but I’m still trying to work out how I feel about it! Welcome to the world HRH!
So proud of you, sounds like you remembered all we worked on. Can’t wait to meet him for cuddles.
Big hugs
Sandra xxxx
Awww this made me all emotional! I am so very glad you got the birth you wanted and that it all went so smoothly! Big love to you all xx
Ah this makes me so happy to read! I have had 5 home births and it’s a hard to explain special feeling when you have had a home birth and read of someone else’s - brings a very special feeling flooding back. So very happy for you all - much love from me and mine x
Oh Hannah I’ve welled up with how perfect it was! So happy for you and he’s just scrumptious! So pleased you got your home birth and I hope you’re all settling well into being a family of four xx
This sounds like such an amazing and lovely birth experience . Such gorgeous photos for you all to treasure forever, i hope you enjoy every second with him as you embark on your new journey as a family of four xx
What an amazing birth story! I have wanted a water birth with each of mine, but was too afraid to ask with Alex and they rooms were in use with Sam! I had a very similar experience with my waters popping and the boys coming soon after.
I hope you are all doing well and enjoying being a family of 4 xx
What a wonderful, positive birth story!
Ah, so amazing! Happy to hear HRH arrived safely and gently into the world.. There is so much to be said for preparing for a positive birth. Being in tune with our bodies is a skill that is not only natural, but so very powerful and something we should practice more and more, particularly in childbirth. Enjoy your new family Hannah and rest when you can xx
Oh my word, Hannah! That is just amazing. You are awesome!!! I had two c-sections and while that’s the way my boys were meant to come (safely) in to the world, I would have loved an experience like yours. Congratulations, beautiful mama x
What an amazingly positive birth story, how lovely to read. Glad you got your home birth and a fantastic midwife. Welcome to the world HRH!
Hannah what an incredible story and must have been even more incredible to experience! I am so pleased you were able to have the homebirth you wanted and that all went so well. Love HRH by the way 🙂 thanks for linking with #MaternityMondays xx
What a lovely birth story, I’m glad you enjoyed your birth experience #maternitymondays
Oh Hannah! I am actually in tears reading this. How amazing you are! And your photos are beautiful- what an honour for you to share them. Thank you so much for linking up to #MaternityMatters x x x
Congratulations! Sounds like it all went fantastically well.
on my third it all went very quickly too (90 minutes, my husband was only there for the last 20) and I didn’t need any pain relief. I felt great afterwards and not groggy as I had been with my first two children.
Enjoy the smallness of him!
I don’t know if I read this at the time but my womb is twitching in envy at your perfect home birth x