Erin’s birth story (long ish)
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3213
Printed Date: 04 October 2025 at 2:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Erin’s birth story (long ish)
Posted By: jax
Subject: Erin’s birth story (long ish)
Date Posted: 20 July 2006 at 6:48pm
Thought it was about time I gave you ladies a quick run down of our labour / birth story ! 
Around 7am Wednesday morning (12th July) I was lying in bed debating whether or not to get up, or try and sleep in. I eventually gave up and just as I hopped out of bed, heard a quiet 'pop' and *ta da* my waters had broken ! Luckily it's not far from the bedroom to the toilet so I managed to contain the worst of it LOL Contractions didn't start right away, and we decided that we'd go into Roland's work to get his laptop - enabling him to work from home, because we knew things wouldn't be far off. I also sent my midwife a txt just to let her know what was happening. Around lunchtime I started to get very light contractions, so after having something to eat I thought I'd try and have a nap while I still could. They were around 40 mins apart for a couple of hours, then 20 mins, and were around 10 mins apart from 2pm or so. My midwife had come to see us around lunchtime, and then came back around 5pm, but I was still only about 3cm dilated. She also mentioned that because my waters had broken so much earlier, I'd likely need to go into hospital for some antibiotics to counteract the risk of infection - d'oh ! This was a bit of a disappointment, but at that stage I also didn't care, as all I wanted was my baby girl out and safely so. She said we'd probably have to meet her at 11pm, so we all took off to the hospital around half past 10pm, as the contractions were starting to come at around 3-4 mins apart. I'll also mention here, before I forget, that it was awesome to have my friend Jo there for support - she was the lady I went to for my massages at Bella Mama, and we just ended up getting along really well. It helped Roland out a lot too for her to be there ! The rest was a bit of a blur, I had to ask Roland afterwards who had undressed me and put me in a hospital gown, because I couldn't remember. At about 1am my midwife said we could get into the birthing pool, which I had been absolutely dying to get into - and what bliss once I finally did ! The only problem I did begin to have is that the urge to push came a little bit early when I was only 8cm, and so I took just a few puffs on the gas to help me breathe through it better and not swell up my cervix any further (which could have lead to an epi etc.). At 3am the urge to push got REALLY strong, so the midwife did one last check and then gave us the go ahead ! Unfortunately I couldn't have the gas for the pushing part, and the instructions were to give (if possible) three big pushes with each contraction. It didn't really burn too much, but I was in "another place" by then and just so excited because I could feel my little girl was ready, and I was ready. So, after 13 mins of pushing, Miss Erin Alexandra Bird was born at 3:13am - and came straight up and out of the water for some skin to skin with mum while my midwife checked the cord / placenta. Roland cut the cord in the end, which I was so proud of ! I just felt SO much better after that - the sense of relief was like nothing else I had ever felt. We then drained the tub, and I got the jab to expel the placenta, which is where things started to go a *little* downhill - I lost quite a lot of blood with it, and then later on would lose a whole lot more. However, with the support of Roland, Jo, Jill my midwife, and all the hospital midwives, doctors and nurses - we were well taken care of and made it through. I definitely think the acupuncture helped too - just realise I forgot to mention that I went in for my appointment that morning anyway (10am), and she gave me a treatment to help my body work more efficiently during labour. The massage in the early stages was also awesome, although I because I was walking around to try and help things along, I had Jo and Roland running all over the house after me when I had to stop for a contraction ! LOL That is just about it I'm afraid, stayed in a hospital a while longer than most due to needing a transfusion eventually, but came home Monday morning - and am loving being a new mummy, it is the biggest challenge I have EVER had to face but I wouldn't swap it for the world. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Replies:
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 20 July 2006 at 8:19pm
|
Well done, Jax, so proud of you! I am so happy you got your drug free water birth! Welcome to the most amazing journey you will ever go on! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 20 July 2006 at 8:46pm
|
What a neat birth story, well done, and you're right that relief is just awesome once they are out, and pretty much instant too! ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
|
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 20 July 2006 at 9:08pm
| good for you Jax! Now next time I want a water birth. it sounds neat...well as neat as labour can sound. I second the relief....why do you think so many of us have seconds! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 20 July 2006 at 11:03pm
|
Well done jax, u did a fantastic job and thanks for posting ur birth story up-ive been looking forward to it
(now im off to look at photos of miss Erin  )
|
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 9:02am
|
Well done Jax... that's a fanastic birth!!!
|
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 10:52am
|
Well done Jax...wow its an amazing birth story....!!
I am thinking of getting acupuncture done for my next and water birth...sounds cool!! Any thing to not have another epi and C Section!!  to you and Erin (for being such a good girl)------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 11:19am
That was such an awesome birth Jax! You did so well...I would say your lucky but I think it had a lot more to do with you than just luck 
Hope everything is going well with sleep & breastfeeding & everything! Say hello to Jill for me & you make sure you get plenty of rest ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 2:32pm
Things are going a fair bit better with the feeding / sleeping thing, or at least I'm not feeling as shattered about it LOL In the last 24 hours things seem to have become a bit more 'regular' - she woke four hourly almost on the dot from 5pm onwards, through til 9am this morning. I've also been managing to fall asleep easier (if that makes sense), which has really helped - I know it's obvious, but I guess until you *actually* have a baby you don't realise just HOW critical sleep is 
Had our one week checkup with the midwife today, and she has actually *gained* weight from her birth weight - when we left hospital she had dropped about 120g, but has gained that and then some. Quite proud of myself about that really ! Am starting to get very small nags of being lazy creeping up on me, but am still managing to successfully ignore them - once we actually get a bit more into a semblance of a routine I will make more of a general effort I guess. I just mean stuff like dressing in proper clothes, folding laundry, and not foisting ALL the nappy changes onto Roland - coz I know he wants to potter around outside the house and feel *more* useful (not that he isn't at the moment!). Anyway, enough of my rambling LOL  ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 5:06pm
|
wow jax u almost made me cry u did sooo wellll what a wicked brith again gongrats mummy and daddy and dont forget to enjoy erin while shes still little they grow up way too fast ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 5:33pm
|
Wow great job on the birth of Erin. I so wanted a water birth but couldn't due to having moniters stuck to me. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 21 July 2006 at 5:36pm
|
WOW Jax you did an amazing job! ------------- "> 
|
Posted By: bekkie
Date Posted: 22 July 2006 at 7:39pm
|
Yay I found your birth story jax!! Nice story!! Well done!! I start to get all emotional now hearing about birth stories knowing im not to far off!! ------------- httpw.snu://wwgglepie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Kelpa
Date Posted: 23 July 2006 at 10:57am
|
Awwwww...I must be such an emotional twit at the moment!! That made me cry. I would give anything to have a birth remotely like that!!! Will put in my memory bank!!!
Awesome birthy story and so good to hear that everyone was supportive and looking after you!! -------------  
 
|
Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 26 July 2006 at 4:19pm
|
What an awesome birth story, Jax! Well done you! ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 27 July 2006 at 2:19pm
kelpa i cried too!!! i'd love to have a birth story like that too jax, c-section stories just aren't the same. i'm glad you got the water birth you were hoping for and everything is well in your new family ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Kelpa wrote: