The birth of Elle

Get yourselves ready for a wonderful inspiring (and long!) birth story.

Jess ‘due date’ came and went. She had prepared for this birth wonderfully and she was more than ready to meet her baby and find out who she has been growing in her own body for the last 41+ weeks.

She did a hypnobirthing course, educated herself on all her options and also decided to have me as a doula.

First up she had a few teasers (false or early labour) on the Sunday, meaning her surges would start but then fizzle out. This can be so frustrating.

Really early monday morning she had regular surges so she put on my TENS machine and then rested.

Monday came and went. At midwife appointment they found out bubs was posterior, she had a s&s and was starting to dilate. I went over to see her in the afternoon and we did some wonderful rebozo work to relax mumma and encourage baby to turn into a more favourable position for birth.

I also made her a strong cuppa of red raspberry leaf tea and did some accupressure with Clary Sage oil as she wanted to try it ALL.

I wake up on Tuesday morning feeling like today must be the day!

She message me at 5 am and I can tell she needs a boost.

I send her positive affirmations, suggestions and lots of encouragement.

Reminders that she is doing incredible work. It's been a long night for her.

I suggested to drop their older son off to mine so they could have some time to refocus just mum and dad, before heading to the hospital so around 8 am he comes to my house for a play.

A couple of hours later they leave for the hospital and I arrive there at 11.30 am.

There is no one there and everything is quiet.

I check in on mummy and she needs a snack. She is happy with her TENS on and bouncing on the ball. I turn her labour music on and feeds her bliss balls.

Then me and the midwives start to organise the birth pool and while they are deciding where to put it and rearranging the whole room, I send both mum and dad out for a little walk in the hallway. I promise them the room will be quiet, calm and ready very soon.

Around midday the pool is slowly filling up but we have some work to do before she jumps in.

They suspect babe is still posterior which means labour could be longer and harder so we decide to work on that before she goes in.. After some rebozo work and spinning babies magic in she goes.

Water is powerful and incredible pain-relief and feels amazing!

It's 2 pm. Things are getting intense.

She has found her wild woman noises. It's a really great sign and we let mumma know this too. Baby is near.

Me and Z takes turns to pour warm water on her back. Someone is always close by, but no one is talking. Hypnobirthing is very calm and very very quiet. There is no small talk happening here and the room is so so dark.

From the start Jess has been incredible and she knows, "every surge brings me closer to my baby". She is ready for them.

She is reaching transition and she has a moment or two when she says to us “it’s really hard”. She never ever says “I can’t do this” because she knows deep down she CAN. Not once does she ask for drugs or wants to go home.

And we validate her feelings and encourage her to keep going. Yes It is hard but You’ve got this, mama!

She digs a little bit deeper and finds her strength.

At 4 pm there is a lot of pressure happening from within. The whole birth is all totally mum-lead and we are going with what she needs and wants.

Her water breaks while she is bearing down and breathing. There is also a roar or two or three. Mama bear is working hard and beautifully.

This is a sign it’s time for me to grab that camera and luckily I did because next minute the midwife puts her hand on her back to put her bum back in the water as it looked like she was gonna stand up and walk away. A moment later the babys head is born. Hello baby!

This little cheeky babe had it's hand up by the face, called a nuchal hand.

You can see it in the photos, which is the only reason we know because it happened so fast!

Then baby is born into the water, she reaches down to bring her baby up in to her arms.

But who is this baby?

The first thing she does is checking between the legs, who are you??

“We have a GIRL” she says.

“I did it!!”

she looks at me and I cry the happiest tears. How I even have these photos are beyond me because i'm shooting blind here. So so proud.

There is not a single eye dry in this room between me, daddy and the 3 midwives who has decided to watch this miracle.

It is the most beautiful moment. 4.56 pm. The moment the world stopped and changed forever.

Baby girl had so much vernix! And the most perfectly round little head! Pure perfection.

And baby girl is here and all is well for a few minutes and then the pool turns red and its time to get out.

While the midwives helps her with the placenta we are all in awe and says repeatedly “I can’t believe she is a girl” a little hard to believe.

Still to this day! I think everyone was expecting a boy. Man I love surprises they are the best.

The hour after birth is called the golden hour. And it is filled with golden moments!

First feed. First cuddles... Skin to skin. Soaking it all in.

Then weight and measurements, first nappy and outfit.. and a well deserved shower and clean pjs for mum.

It is an absolute honour to be invited in to these special spaces and I dont take it for granted.

I would love to thank my dear friend and bad-ass birther Jess for allowing me to share her story and photos. You absolutely rocked it from start to finish and I am so proud of you and nothing makes me happier than you having the birth you really wanted.

Happy 6 months sweet Elle xx