Nathan's Birth

Stop Now! unless you really want to know. Do not just casually read on and get "grossed-out"!

"Nathan Peter"
Born 4.05 am 4th July 2001
Meda da Mouros, Arganil, Portugal
9lbs 2oz / 4.2kg

Clare's words, constructed from Dave's notes written during labour (mostly for accurate administering of homeopathics). Dave's typing it - so expect editor's notes!

Tuesday 3rd July.

Lovely day relaxing with waves of short contractions preparing me that it would be soon. By the time they are being uncomfortable enough to make me stand up for them; still short and not regular. Dave reads the bedtime story and I enjoy three chapters of Harry Potter standing leaning against our high bed swinging my hips.

At 9.30pm, as Harry gets into bed, my plug comes out and I know that there is something exciting happening and feel myself starting to dilate. Contractions are short but pokey enough and I remain standing and swaying about. Dave and I then cuddle and prepare our space, the Truck is lovely and tidy. We get out our birth pack. Dave gets the remedies organised on his surface (into early, transition and third stage more or less - Dave), makes me a few hours worth of Raspberry leaf tea and we relax together knowing our Small is going to show his face soon!

By 11.00 my contractions are regular and getting more intense all the time, although much shorter than I remember Harry's being. I remain standing swaying about relaxing my head and shoulders on our perfect height bed and as the contractions intensify I moan with as relaxed a jaw as possible focusing on how the deep sound and movement together are keeping my body totally relaxed, embracing the moment, and opening up to such a wonderful experience. Dave is plying me with Arnica 200, Melissa's blend of rescue remedy, and Mandy's stage one remedy at appropriate intervals as he cuddles me and massages down my back and legs. This really helps me focus my energy downwards, centering me, and rooting me firmly in the here and now. The contractions although "regular" are changing with each one and although I don't want to presume I'm progressing too well, I know that I am opening up without any difficulty.

Wednesday 4th July.

Between 12.00 and 1.00am I am being moved swiftly along in the process, intense frequent contractions (although they still feel short) I am having to force myself to writhe about and deep moan to the top of my voice to stay on top of the moment. Just as I am starting to wander about how intense it will be, instead of keeping myself focused on now (as I should have been) everything changes, I feel myself go into transition. The contractions don't stop, but they change, getting less intense and I am just blowing through a relaxed mouth and moving and I feel like talking to Dave. I want to drink tea without honey in it, all the honey is making my mouth feel furry. As time goes on I am finding it increasingly hard to keep my bum and legs relaxed however much I focus myself. I try and think of any reason that is stopping me from letting go; I can think of none so I voice to Dave about my difficulty to stay relaxed, and this helps to dissipate the situation. The contractions are getting "pushy" although I am waiting for uncontrollable bearing down urges before I start using my energy that way. My body is busy emptying itself of everything which is helping to relax me, although I am still dealing with feeling uncomfortable. I can sense Dave flagging beside me which reminds me to suggest both taking some Kali Phos. The pushing urge is definitely there now although it doesn't feel like the thing to do.

At 2.30 we take some ginseng and I examine my cervix. There is no anterior lip, and I can feel no cervix and no pro-lapsed cord. The head is there but it's behind a cm or two of bag, and I realise that this is why I don't feel like pushing. Small's head would just move up and down in the bag and go nowhere. I feel as though I should save my energy and try to get myself feeling as relaxed as possible.

At 3ish I suggest we have a walk in the lovely moonlight. We stroll around holding hands relaxing with each other, and dancing with each other through the contractions. When we come back in Dave makes himself some tuna sarnies and I get back on to the bed kneeling, half kneeling half squatting, breathing through the contractions.

At 3.30am the waters broke. Phew what a relief, that feels great, I'm appreciating my incontinence sheets (So's Dave afterwards!!) There's myconium in the waters although I'm unconcerned as I feel that Small is fine, and don't take it as a sign of distress. I am relieved no-one is here getting concerned on my behalf. I take some more ginseng as the contractions change pretty immediately, I want to make more use of them and begin making much more low noise again. I come down off the bed and start hanging on my rope in the middle of the truck. I'm taking all the weight off my feet during the contractions and it's not hard relaxing my bum any more. I can feel Small passing through my birth canal I know he's not ascending much between contractions. I actively use every other contraction conserving as much energy as possible. I can feel him crowning anne my cervix. There is no anterior lip, and I can feel no cervix and no prolapsed cord. The head is there but it's behind a cm or two of bag, and I realise that this is why I don't feel like pushing. Small's head would just move up and down in the bag and go nowhere. I feel as though I should save my energy and try to get myself feeling as relaxed as possible. At 3ish I suggest we have a walk in the lovely moonlight. We stroll around holding hands relaxing with each other, and dancing with each other through the contractions. When we come back in Dave makes himself some tuna sarnies and I get back on to the bed kneeling, half kneeling half squatting, breathing through the contractions. At 3.30am the waters broke. Phew what a relief, that feels great, I'm appreciating my incontinence sheets (So's Dave afterwards!!) There's myconium in the waters although I'm unconcerned as I feel that Small is fine, and don't take it as a sign of distress. I am refliefed no-one is here getting concerned on my behalf. I take some more ginseng as the contractions change pretty immediately, I want to make more use of them and begin making much more low noise again. I come down off the bed and start hanging on my rope in the middle of the truck. I'm taking all the weight off my feet during the contractions and it's not hard relaxing my bum any more.d know I have enough energy and am relaxed enough to get his head out soon without a load of too-ing and fro-ing. I am hollering at the bottom of my voice with my pushing urges and tell Dave to get his hands ready and POP! out comes his head closely followed by all the rest.

It's 4.05. He's slimy, he has all our hands on him, he's pink and mewing like a puppy and totally there. No mucus in his mouth, he hardly even bothers opening his eyes. His cord is lovely and long and we all just cuddle, and get wrapped up together. I still feel like standing up, and we wake up "Big Brother" to join in the fun. Dave gives me Mandy's stage three remedy, my blood loss is minimal. We all spend lovely family time meeting each other. Wow. Small latches on and suckles as we wait for the placenta. I keep taking Mandy's remedy. My womb is contracting and I know all I need is patience. I'm surprised when I find out he's been out for an hour and a half. No wonder I want to lie down. I take a sabina 200 and do some squatting. Still suckling my lovely fresh baby. He looks so relaxed and mellow getting to know him without any interruptions is totally magical and rewarding. What an amazing smell and loads of long spiky strawberry blonde hair.

PLOP! out comes the placenta at six, PHEW! that's such a release. I feel loads lighter. Thanks Mum for the incontinence sheets what a battle zone after two hours of standing around meeting our baby. Dave and I have a good look at Small's massive placenta. What a whopper, totally perfect and whole, no worries. Time to cut our Small from his totally cold "alien" grey cord. Dave cut a good few slimy chunks of placenta for me to swallow down with water. I have a quick wash up, but we leave washing Small until much later. We all get into bed for a great family chill, listening to the dawn chorus of birds and frogs, and waiting for Harry to get back up and join in.