Leahs dream homebirth - turned BBA

My second pregnancy had been much like the first. A bit of sickness and very tired but otherwise well. At my 20 week scan I was told I would be offered additional scans due to low papp A (although my level was only just under the threshold of what is considered low) which I was a bit daunted by. I went along to some of the growth scans but did not enjoy having the extra appointments. At 37 weeks baby was predicted low in weight but doplars were still showing good blood flow to the placenta. I was advised to have a chat with a consultant but I declined. My first baby had been on the smaller side and I am small myself, so didn’t expect to be growing a big baby.

At 38 weeks I decided I didn’t want to go to anymore scans and suddenly felt hounded by phone calls/pushes to have more appointments etc. There was even a scan appointment made for me on my due date without my consent. It all felt really heavy and stressful- not what you need when you’re about to give birth.

I then had the most amazing midwife who at my appt at 39+3 put me completely at ease and reminded me everything was my choice. We made a plan for a scan at 40+1 (a day my husband could attend) and also made a plan for having a home birth out of guidance because I had declined the scans/consultant chats. I really felt like she advocated for me and put me at ease. She left that appointment and I felt as though a weight had been lifted.

On the day of 39+6 I felt my usual light tightenings that I had been experiencing for weeks but also felt a real urge to rest - not easy when you have a 2 year old at home. Luckily my husband had the afternoon off work that day so I asked him to take our daughter out. I had a restful afternoon and kept wondering if things may be starting to happen but didn’t want to put pressure on it, so tried to distract myself with the TV and making plans for the rest of the week.

As the day went on the tightenings continued and I felt different. My husband and toddler came home and we decided to prep the house in case things did start properly. My brother was supposed to be coming over for dinner so I messaged him to tell him not to come as I thought I may be in labour but not to tell anyone in case I was wrong/in for a long one.

I had a shower and washed my hair while my husband started putting up the pool. We had dinner together but I felt like I didn’t want to eat much and the tightenings by this point were starting to become stronger and more regular. It was at this point I got the yuula comb to help me through.

My toddlers bed time was long and she was wanting me so I laid with her and breathed through contractions while laying next to her clutching the yuula comb. After a while I found it really uncomfortable to lay in her bed so had to swap back out with my husband. He eventually came down at around 8:30pm and i was using the ball to lean on and had the TV on in the background.

Contractions had really ramped up and felt more intense than I remembered with my first, I felt like I NEEDED to squeeze the yuula comb with each one. They were about 1 or 2 in 10 mins at this point. We called the midwives at around 9:30pm to let them know I was in labour. She said to call back when they got closer together. Things felt very intense and I spent my time between leaning on the ball and sitting on the toilet.

From around 11:30pm things intensified, I felt so much pressure and contractions seemed closer together. I got in the pool which made things feel more manageable and shortly after I felt my waters pop. They looked clear and I felt a huge relief of pressure after this. We called the midwife again but she said she was going to another home birth which was in early stages. she said she would likely be quick with this other person and would head to us after. My husband and I had already said we wouldn’t go into hospital if this happened and we felt okay, so I continued in the pool and felt my contractions become more pushy.

I felt the need to lie down so my husband helped me out of the pool and onto the sofa. I told him I felt like baby was going to be here soon. He didn’t think I could be right because with my first birth I was pushing for what felt like ages. He had a look and to his surprise he could see babies head! I think it was at this point he realised he would be helping me deliver this baby on our own. I got off the sofa and crouched on the floor. I had to give myself a little pep talk to tell myself I could do this, and with that contraction babies head was born. My husband was behind me and I told him he was going to have to catch the baby! And then with another contraction he caught our baby at 00:53.

I got up onto the sofa lifted my leg over the cord and he passed me our baby. He asked me ‘have you seen what we’ve got?’ And I looked and saw we had another beautiful baby girl. We shared a look of ‘wow what just happened?!’ It was so special to just be there the three of us and I will never forget that special moment.

The midwife called around 20 minutes later and he told her that baby had arrived and that we were both fine. She arrived a little while after and checked us over.

My placenta came out on its own just after and baby was latching well. I had a crumpet and and an ice cream and sat in awe of my new baby. The midwife helped tidy the living room and then we went up to bed at around 4am. I couldn’t believe all of this happened while our daughter slept upstairs. The sisters met when our daughter woke up and it was so special to be all cuddled up in bed together.

Baby girl weighed 6 pound 2 so she was small but fed really well and gained weight quickly. I was so happy with how her birth went and felt like a superwoman. Despite the midwives not making it in time there was never any panic or worry from either of us. We both felt well informed and trusted my body and baby. I am so grateful to my amazing husband who was happy to step up in that situation and keep calm and hold that space for me. I don’t think we will ever get over how amazing it was.