the story of baby Pearl

I was well into my pregnancy when I first contacted Susan. Six months previously I’d suffered an ectopic and lost a tube (and a baby) so it took till I was 5/6months to really relax and believe I was lucky enough to be pregnant with our second baby girl. Our first baby had been born at home and I knew I wanted another natural birth, in my own home, where I could relax and let my body give birth to my baby safely. I didn't feel I would be able to 'perform' with all the pressures of a busy hospital environment and didn't want to pass stress onto my baby....By this time I was also unhappy with the inconsistent, impersonal care I was receiving from the NHS midwife and of not knowing whether it would be possible for someone to attend at home on the day.

After our initial telephone conversation in which we ascertained I was in her patch, Susan visited me at home for a consultation and we started a new medical record for my pregnancy. It was an immediate relief being able to ask for help on some issues I’d been worrying about but had not been able to contact the NHS midwife with and I felt much happier straightaway. Over the following weeks, we discussed all the options, my preferences and different scenarios on how things could be. Susan was fantastic at answering all my questions in a balanced factual way and would pass on dossiers and leaflets to help me make my choices. This was an invaluable part of preparing for my babys’ arrival and giving her the best birth I could and I always felt very well looked after and supported by her which was wonderful.

When I got to 37 wks, I really started to feel expectant that our baby would be on her way as No1 had been born at 38wks. So by 40 wks I started to panic at little. There hadn't been any warning signs or twinges..Susan didn’t seem overly panicked though so I tried to relax a bit. Nevertheless, I carried on eating loads of fresh pineapple, homeopathy remedies, and burning hot curry just in case they did work.

At 40+5, I started getting some interesting period like cramps in the morning. I knew deep down this was it but I’d booked a reflexology appointment that afternoon and didn’t want to miss it. On the way, I mentioned to my husband that I was probably in labour but until it was definite, I wanted to carry on as normal. He looked quite shocked but off we went. Throughout the appointment I kept getting very hot and my back was aching. After the short journey home I went straight upstairs and the feelings in my back became more intense. I didn’t time the contractions because in my previous experience, the contractions had been very erratic throughout, and had not been an indicator of labours progess. I asked my husband to call Susan and just let her know that the labour had begun in earnest and we would keep her updated. He then got our three year old ready and in bed for 7pm. Luckily, she went to sleep straightaway and we didn’t hear a peep out of her till the next morning.

By this time I’d spent three hours in the bedroom, pacing, going to and fro to the bathroom, kneeling at the side of the bed or leaning over the bed, drinking water and Rescue Remedy. I can’t eat anything when I’m in labour, I’m very quiet, can't stand noise and prefer to be left alone, hugged now and again by David my husband.

As before, all the pain was in my lower back, nothing to the front at all. Contractions were very intense and by now seemed constant. During one trip to the bathroom, I noticed a streak of bloody mucus and told David to get Susan on the phone. This baby seemed to be in a hurry ..! I was a bit frightened at the pace the labour was moving at. 5 and a half hours in total compared to 16hrs first time.

Anyway, 45 mins later Susan arrived and I was very pleased to see her. I felt everything was going to be fine now. I gave her a big hug, went back into my room and put my head in my hands. Every now and again Susan came in and checked babys h/b but she sensed I wanted to be left alone and retreated to the landing where she could observe and make notes. The labour continued as before. I was still fully dressed in a maternity dress but started to go hot and cold. I asked for a dressing gown to be draped over me only to throw if off a few minutes later, then back on and off again.. I knew this was transition but I couldn’t quite believe I was there already. 10 minutes later, I felt I needed a poo. Even though I was in hard labour I still found this slightly embarrassing and closed the bathroom door on David and Susan who were waiting outside. It was of course a pushing contraction I was feeling and as I stood up I felt her move down and the amniotic sac bulging between my legs. Supported by David, I knelt on the floor and Susan quickly got ready. Two or three very quick, very strong and uncontrollable pushing urges followed and out she came with lots of meconium stained amniotic fluid. Susan ‘caught’ her, and guided her onto the floor. It was 9.20pm. I hadn’t pushed. I hadn’t needed to. (maybe all that red leaf tea had worked!) I’d tried to slow her if anything, mindful of avoiding a tear. She was brand new, bright pink, very plump and screaming her head off. After a moment of shock, I picked her up and held her in my arms and kissed her. She was gurgling, so Susan helped me position her so the mucus could drain from her mouth and nose. Then we wrapped her up in a warm towel. I gave both Susan and David a big hug, thanking them both, they had both been amazing. After a few more moments I moved to bed where I held her until the cord stopped pulsating. This was a wonderful time for us both to check out our lovely new daughter in peace and Susan left us to it for a few minutes. The love I felt for her was instant. I was so happy that her birth had gone just as I had wished.

When we knew she had her full quota of blood, I think this took about 45 minutes, Susan soft clamped the cord and administered the Vit K I’d chosen to give her. I wanted a natural third stage so we waited for the placenta to arrive. Then, her dad got to hold her while I showered and had a cup of tea. Baby Pearl was weighed and was found to be 8lbs 7oz! and I was checked over for any tears, (small one). I wanted stitches but Susan advised such a small tear would heal fine on its own. I trust her so I decided against which turned out to be the correct, least painful, least intrusive option.

The placenta arrived an hour after the birth and Susan checked it over. She showed us how it was intact and the blood loss was minimal. I think Susan left us about 2am after a small glass of champagne. Pearl was already fast asleep between us which is where she stayed for her first 6months. She is now nearly 8months. A lovely, smiley, beautiful baby.