“Hi Janet – just wanted to give you an update on our new arrival! 7lb 12oz so not massive at all! I need to tell you about the birth because honestly, it was amazing! I’m not saying it wasn’t painful because it was, but the up-breathing was very effective, especially as I was having surges 3 mins apart in the car en route to hospital!
Surges started around 11:30 in the morning, they quickly got closer together. I had lunch at home followed by a nice soothing shower after which surges quickly progressed to 5 mins then 3 mins apart. We didn’t need the app to tell us it was time to go.
Got to hospital and to my delight we were taken into the room with the pool. To my even further delight I was 6cm already so the pool was run as my surges ramped up. I was using gas and air and up breathing, managing ok.
Getting into the pool was an absolute gamechanger. I actually felt pain and tension just melt away and surges felt less intense. But then they ramped up, had a couple of earth shattering, very painful but ultimately progressive ones and felt her moving down, I then needed to push.
So I pushed and within around 5 mins I had my baby girl in my arms. We set off to hospital at about 2pm and she was born just after 4pm. I can’t describe the elation I felt, it was everything I wanted and more.
Thank you for all your wise words and your excellent teaching because I know it made a huge difference. Baby is doing really well and we’re getting established with breastfeeding. Sleep isn’t her strongpoint! We’re exhausted but happy xxx”