The Birth of my son, Arthur

My waters broke just after midnight on the 18th of November 2022. It wasn’t the dramatic movie gush you see, more like a small trickle, but I knew instantly what is was. I called maternity day care to let them know I was certain my waters had gone, but didn’t need to go in as labour hadn’t started yet. They agreed and I told them I would call them when labour was progressing.

My plan was to go back to bed and wait for things to progress, but I couldn’t sleep so I went downstairs and watched tele. I put on Happy Gilmore and drifted in and out of sleep. I wanted my husband to get a full night’s rest so I didn’t disturb him as I knew I would need him at his best.

By the morning, my husband and children woke up. My contractions had started during the night and by morning were closer together but I was breathing through them and using my birthing ball for comfort. We fed the kids and organised them for their day, ready for my father-in-law to look after them. I called maternity day care again and told them we were heading in.

When we arrived at the hospital, we got out of the car, I took my husband’s hand and said “Let’s go and have a baby”. We were both so relaxed about it.

Once we arrived at maternity day care, I agreed to a vaginal examination, which caused my waters to fully break. They were green which meant meconium was present. This meant, that due to hospital policy, I could no longer have a water birth. I moved to the labour suite and continued breathing through my surges.

A consultant and midwife came in and told me I needed continuous fetal monitoring. I agreed but made it clear that I would still be moving around the room freely. Because of that, the monitor kept slipping and giving inaccurate readings. The consultant then pushed for an electrode fetal monitor, which I declined. He continued to insist, right up until I told them the baby was coming.

The senior midwife immediately supported me, telling the consultant that the baby was crowning and monitoring was no longer necessary. A few moments later, on all fours and using gas and air, I birthed Arthur.

2 hours after arriving at the hospital.