Nantar — Bliss’s Birth Story

A natural birth in hospital.

At age 35 I gave birth to my daughter, my pregnancy was “normal” and we planned to have a natural birth as much as possible and attainable for me.

At week 38 she decided it was time to come out. That day I woke with period pains and a bit of blood which didn’t scare me as I had been explained it can be quite normal. I texted my midwife and she said to keep her updated. I was alone at home and had a zoom meeting at midday with my family from Ecuador. While I was chatting with my family I was seated on my swiss ball as I was feeling small surges of contractions coming and bouncing helped me with the sensations. The contractions started to be a bit stronger so I laid down and tried to relax with some meditation music, breathing work and positive affirmations.

 I also took a hot shower, well many, as I ended up going in and out the shower a few times, the running water helped me to relax. Around 1:30pm I called my husband and told him to come home. I was a bit emotional by then and I didn’t want to be alone. Zac arrived home around 2:30pm I was on the floor trying to deal with the powerful sensations that were coming, the contractions were short and strong and with almost no rest in between. After an hour Zac called the midwife and updated her on how I was doing. At that point I apparently said that I wanted to die, which I don’t recall, but the midwife asked him to take me immediately to the hospital. I recovered a bit of consciousness and helped to pack my bag as I didn't prepare in advance (not ideal). At this point I was really vocal roaring and screaming, I wasn't scared but you just feel the urge to let out all kind of noises.

The car ride was very challenging, being sitting did not help with the massive pressure that I was feeling on my cervix.

We arrived at the hospital around 4pm, my midwife wasn’t there yet so other nurses helped me to change and asked me if I wanted to go into the pool. I was feeling withdrawn from what was going on outside me at this point but I thought, once in the pool they will check my dilatation and I will have an idea of where I was with my labour. My midwife arrived and grabbed my hand and I felt a feeling that I cannot describe like a reassurance, a primal woman bond was complete and felt safe. They moved me to the pool and with three pushes our precious darling Bliss was born. That night all three of us were back at home.

Trust your body, connect with your baby inside you, change your midwife if you don't feel it's a good match, keep active during your pregnancy, listen to others but make your own decisions, tell your husband how they can help, as sometimes they can feel lost. You will learn so many good things from the Active Birth course. 

Nantar