The Birth Story of my First Baby

I will be sharing the birth story of my first baby, Willow. I will share about my successful ECV, induction at birth and episiotomy. I have learnt a lot about advocating for myself and my baby since my first birth and I hope this brings encouragement to anyone who had a difficult first birth.

I always wanted babies young. My husband and I were married at 21 and on our first wedding anniversary, I told him that I had a deep desire to start trying for a baby soon. Even though I was knee deep in finishing my Uni degree and we were living in my parents’ granny flat at the time, my husband was gracious and willing enough to agree.

As a person who may not share the same Christian values as we do, this decision to start our family in these circumstances seems ludicrous. However, we knew that we always wanted to have a big family, so it seemed fitting to get the ball rolling. We also knew that God would provide for us as we grew our family (7 years later, I can attest that He certainly has).

In 2017, by the goodness of God, it only took three months for us to fall pregnant with our daughter. These felt like the longest months of my life, so I truly can’t imagine the angst that many couples face while waiting for much longer.

Looking back, my first pregnancy was my easiest. Most probably because I didn’t have any other children to care for and could rest when I wanted to. I had ‘morning sickness’ up until about 15 weeks and very strong food aversions.

It wasn’t until I was 36 weeks pregnant that the midwife told me that the baby was breech. Even though there was still a whole month left until my due date, I was given a few options.

The first option was to have an ECV performed, where they physically move the baby facing downwards. The second option was to move to a different hospital where they have a team who specialise in breech births. And the third, least desirable option was to have a Caesarean section.

I chose to attempt an ECV. So at exactly 37 weeks pregnant, I went into the hospital and the doctor grabbed my belly with both hands and swiftly moved my baby’s body around. It was a success!

Photo of me at 37 weeks pregnant – the day my ECV was a success.

The days leading up to my birth

Fast forward to the days leading up to birth, I experienced prodromal labour in the last couple of weeks before birth. This, I realised during my third and fourth births, seems to be the way my body labours.

It wasn’t until I had reached 41 weeks gestation that the midwives booked me in to be induced three days later.

To my disappointment and having tried everything under the sun to naturally kickstart my labour, my baby girl was not ready to arrive. So I went into the hospital the day before my induction to get a catheter put in to shorten my cervix, but the doctor said it was unnecessary as I was already 2cm dilated.

The morning of my birth

So the next morning, my husband, mum and I came into the hospital at 7.30am. We did not go into the birthing suite until around 10am.

My midwife’s name was Amy. She was very personable. My other midwife was named Fiona. She was much older and very warm and patient. We had come to know later that Fiona was a Christian, too.

My waters were broken at 10.18am. My husband played some worship music and every time a contraction came on, I would focus on the music and my breathing.

I began labouring on my knees with my elbows resting on the side of the bed. Aash (my husband) and my mum would take turns in massaging my back with essential oils.

I remember at the four hour mark, Amy said that she would check my cervix in another four hours. By this time, I was getting emotional and would cry in between contractions. I couldn’t believe I would be here for another four hours!

I eventually asked for some pain relief. Fiona gave me the gas, which I can’t say helped so much.

At this time, I was getting really tired as contractions became more intense. I remember sleeping in between contractions. I even dreamt at times.

At around 5pm (so close to seven hours of labour at this point), I asked for some pain relief in my back. Amy inserted water injections, which stung like a bee sting x100, but did provide me with some relief, which I was grateful for.

I was now labouring on all fours on the floor. I remember saying ‘I can’t do this anymore’, which is generally a sign of transitioning.

The home stretch

Soon after, my body involuntary began pushing.

It was around 6.20pm when I was ‘told’ I could start pushing. I eventually learned that it’s okay to push when your body is telling you to, and that you don’t need a midwife to tell you when it’s okay to push or not!

Before giving birth, my mum told me how she watched herself pushing out my sister in the mirror and how it was good motivation for her. I thought that was odd at the time, but when I started pushing, I asked for a mirror.

The pushing stage lasted about an hour and 20 minutes. As much as I loved having a mirror there to watch my baby’s head come out, it was equally frustrating because her head would contract back in again.

After a while of this happening, my midwife decided to make a cut to allow Willow’s head come through more easily. I did not feel like I had much of a say, because it happened all so fast.

The strangest part was that I saw it all happen in the mirror and the gush of blood that burst out.

A few pushes later, Willow’s head was out. I could feel her movements in between my legs. It was the most surreal feeling.

Her body finally emerged and she was placed straight onto my chest. I stared at her beautiful face. She really was a perfect looking newborn!

About 30 seconds later, they took her off my chest and about half a dozen nurses and doctors came into the room.

I was in disbelief at what was happening. Amy came over and reassured me that Willow’s heart rate had dropped while I pushed her out and she needs some support to breathe.

Thankfully moments later, she was placed back on my chest crying her lungs out and pink as can be!

Within minutes she fed from my breasts and I was beyond relieved to have had birthed her.

I remember being in utter awe of mothers from that day on. The fact that billions of other mothers around the world and in the past have given birth gave me a new appreciation of birth mothers that day. It’s something that has stuck with me.

That is the birth story of my first baby, Willow, in February 2018.