December 2024- Successful HBAC

At around 5 weeks I started bleeding quite heavily, which turned out to be a subchorionic hematoma. I also had low Papp-A levels. This could have resulted in growth scans and extra monitoring. But having PPM she gave me the information and the choice was mine. I decided to not get any scans after my 20 week anatomy scan. 

This pregnancy was full of anxiety and dread and I struggled to enjoy it or be excited due to having a loss. Then in September my sister in law went into labour and unfortunately lost her baby boy during delivery. She was also planning a homebirth with a midwife and unfortunately had the worst possible result. This brought back all my fear and anxiety, which I felt like I had just started to get better after my 20 week scan went well. I also started having intrusive thoughts that something was going to happen to my baby. I knew if I wanted a homebirth I needed to address this so I went to see a therapist that specialised in pre and post natal mental health. We did EMDR which I found to be really helpful. 

PPM was the best money I’ve ever spent. All appointments at my own home. Not once was I weighed or mentioned BMI. Not once did I have to fight or advocate or prove my decisions with research I’ve done. I just simply said no thank you to GD test, GB swab, growth scan, etc and was not questioned. Induction and stretch and sweeps were not mentioned. Risk of rupture were just briefly talked over in factual information when discussing birth plan.

I had bad SPD pain but managing it well in third trimester until 3 days before labour I could barely walk and I knew baby was coming early. 38+4 my dog was acting weird she wouldn’t leave my side, and then my daughter got up in the night, so I took her to the toilet and felt my waters leaking. 38+5 midwife appointment in the morning, told her waters had been leaking and she said labour should start within 24-72 hours. Went out to lunch for my mums birthday and after a nice meal I felt a contraction (2pm) and wanted to get home. Felt another couple but just felt like period pain so tried to ignore but every time I laid down to rest it was too uncomfortable. So, we got the birth space set up- pool, towels, etc. I had a shower around 4 or 5pm to freshen up. Then our friend broke down in his car about 2 hours away and asked if we could help him I said it was ok for my partner to go help as this could fizzle out or last 3 days. Not long after he left I got the tens on as was told it’s best to put it on early. 

Around 7pm my daughter started getting a bit full on and I couldn’t concentrate so my mum put her to bed. I was standing up right for every contraction or leaning over the bed and swaying just instinctively. And then trying to sit and rest in between. The contractions were about 2/3 mins apart and I still thought I was in early labour, I think I was mentally preparing for like a 2/3 day labour because of last time. 

My partner got back at 9pm (thank god because I was starting to ask for him). We told my midwife to come as she was 1.5 hour drive away but I still didn’t think I was in active Labour. Sarah arrived (Birth photographer) and at around 10pm she suggested to try the shower, my midwife arrived and around 10:30 I had a big contraction and my body was pushing. So hopped in the birth pool. From here everything seems to slow right down and I quite enjoyed the rest and less intensity. Water felt so good. Contractions were more spread out and felt less intense but my body was pushing on its own while I breathed. I think it was about an hour of these active pushing contractions then I screamed his head out (this part was quite intense and the hardest part I think) and waited for the next contraction which felt like forever and pushed his body out. I was able to bring my baby up to my chest for immediate skin to skin which was the best feeling. 

My midwife checked babies heart rate in between contractions a few times with Doppler. Other than that there was no interference and she just quietly sat back and watched. I had a small first degree tear and a couple minor grazes. 

It’s been a month and I’ve only just watched the footage as I’ve been in shock that I just birthed a baby at home. I’m so glad I hired a photographer as I can’t really remember the birth, it’s like I was in a trance during labour and I can only remember glimpses. So it’s really special to be able to have these moments captured to relive it and remember it. Recovery has been so easy compared to my c-section.