Birth Story
The last two weeks of my pregnancy were the best. The nausea had finally gone, I had hired a TENS machine which was controlling the shooting pains, and apart from my concerns about delivery and motherhood, I felt really good. I was quite pleased to go past my due date.
Following a day of 'niggling' pains on Sunday 7th April, I woke on Monday at 4.30 in the morning with what felt like a violent contraction. This one took me by surprise, and at first I panicked, but having connected the TENS machine, the following contractions were no worse than a bad period, and I was able to doze until 6.00am. Lynn had advised me to eat, so I got up, had breakfast and watched a magnificent sunrise on the day that was going to change my life. I did not feel scared any more; I knew I was coping. We had all agreed that I could change my mind at any time and be transferred to hospital, and Lynn would come with me, but in my heart I knew that my baby would be born at home. I sat looking at one of my cats curled up in the base of the empty pool, and at last I began to feel excited.
The day wore on. Lynn arrived at lunchtime, by which time my waters had broken (a vile 'popping' sensation that made me feel quite dizzy because I am a drip!), she and my husband Martyn plotted about when to fill the pool, and the contractions became stronger. Because I was at home, I felt free to behave the way I wanted, and Lynn melted into the background, leaving Martyn to support me. I was free to walk around the house and garden, and eat what I wanted (grapes). Lynn was there to answer my (many) queries and concerns, and I trusted her. I think the combination of these factors brought me through the first stage of labour, with the TENS machine providing some pain relief.
