Sherry had her first baby after labouring at
home and getting to the hospital in the late stages of labour. Sherry
rested for much of her early labour and then progressed rapidly. Whilst
the journey to hospital was not particularly pleasant with strong
contractions, Sherry was pleased to have arrived in hospital ready to
push her baby out and was able to return home the same morning her son
was born as she had planned.
16th July Sunday night brought with it a beautiful luminous full moon
and I thought what a perfect night for labour. But nothing happened.
Monday came and the world seemed such a wonderful place. The trees
swayed, the birds sang and the sun shone. The garden around me resonated
beautiful energy. Everything seemed sharp, clear and perfect. I felt
great.
At about 4pm I was in the early stages of labour. Nikki thought the baby
would arrive during the night. I was very calm and felt ready, I was
extremely tired and so went to bed at 10pm. By the morning we would be
parents, I felt too tired to feel anything else and fell asleep
immediately.
I awoke at 1am with a sharp pain in my abdomen. The contractions had
started and I knew I was in active labour. I began then to my own
amazement, a repetitive pattern of going to the bathroom then lying on
the bed, then immediately going back to the bathroom. The strangest
thing was that I felt like a wolf pacing, marking my territory.
At this stage I could still chat with Lindsay, I wasn't afraid as I
trusted my instinct and I felt guided, I felt everything would be okay.
I had a hot bath and the pain eased, I felt I could handle the
contractions better. I felt happy. I knew what I had to do.
Later as the labour progressed and the pain became intense I didn't want
to speak and I lay on my bed in the dark. I knew I was safe in my ‘den',
I knew the baby was coming and that together we'd make the journey
safely.
Before the labour, I‘d anticipated that I would need Lindsay's support
emotionally, but during the labour I didn't want him fussing around me.
I knew he was there if I needed him at any time but I was in a mental
space which only I could inhabit. I was left for an hour in the dark,
lying on my bed. I sensed my grandmother was watching over me and giving
me comfort. I could hear Lindsay and Nikki talking quietly, I knew where
they were if I needed them, I only had to ask. My senses were sharp. I
could hear everything, I could see clearly in the dark, my sense of
smell was sensitive and I felt nauseous. I didn't want to be touched.
The pain became intense and prolonged, it was hard but I knew I had to
get through it. I wasn't thinking ahead, I was there, focused in the
moment. I was semi-amused by the thought of how passive this ‘active'
birth was and felt disappointed I hadn't squatted or rocked on a ball or
engaged in any of the other ‘active' methods we'd learnt. But all I
wanted to do was lie on the bed. Nikki whispered words of support and
guided me through the peak of the contractions. I knew that there was no
going back from here, it was really happening. It was like something I'd
never experienced but I knew I could handle it. All through this, the
image I had of myself was as a wolf and yet I knew where I was and what
was happening.
Lindsay had gone to pack the car, Nikki had suggested going to the
hospital, I knew dawn was rising, I heard the birds, the morning sounds
were perfectly clear, I heard myself saying I wasn't going to the
hospital and I heard the panic in Nikki's voice as she replied that I
was! I knew I was moving into the next stage but couldn't vocalise it. I
gave very precise instructions to Sarah and Nikki to help locate my
clothes. I was super alert! At this point the thought of getting to the
hospital seemed a huge inconvenience. I imagined each step we'd have to
take…getting up, getting dressed, walking down the stairs, getting into
the car, driving there, getting out, walking to the room…It seemed a
mammoth task. I felt I hadn't got the time, I knew we didn't have long.
But no, I was going. Nikki supported my arms and lifted me. I moved onto
the floor and gush, I felt my waters break. No one noticed, I slipped
onto my knees; I was helped on with a shirt and supported down the
stairs. I remember thinking my wet feet were going to make the carpet
dirty! Before we descended I asked Nikki if the candles we'd lit in the
bathroom were out – I didn't want to come home to a burnt down house!
At the bottom of the stairs I fell to the ground in pain. I felt weak.
Everyone waited. I got up and was helped into the car. I noticed I
wasn't wearing any shoes. I realized we hadn't got much time; the urge
to push was strong. The pain had changed. I knew the contractions were
over. I waited in the back on my knees, my head over the seat,
travelling backwards. Someone suggested a cushion and Sarah rushed to
get one but I interrupted not to bother, as I didn't like the smell of
feathers. I wanted to go. I really wanted to push. I think Nikki
realized we didn't have long and that we were in danger of the baby
arriving in transit. We drove off.
The pain was different, the phrase ‘needing to pass a football' came to
mind. Here I was with this need! I knew now that all I had to do was
really push and the baby would come. I had to concentrate to hold back.
I didn't want the baby in the car – it was too complicated. I wanted the
journey to be over. Each time I opened my eyes we were much further
behind than I'd imagined. I thought we were never going to get there. I
imagined how we must have looked to anyone looking into the car – I was
wearing next to nothing, climbing the rear seat, gripping Nikki's hand!
It seemed farcical.
We finally arrived at the hospital. I walked ahead, I knew where the
delivery suite was, the hospital was quiet. The administrator waved a
form at me and I indicated behind me. I walked up the stairs, my legs
buckled and I fell on the floor, the nurses rushed around me. I had to
really stop myself pushing hard. I refused a wheelchair and huddled in
the corner, confused by the unfamiliar faces. Nikki rescued me and we
were escorted into a room.
I walked toward the bed but immediately retreated, I couldn't lie on it
– the sheet had tiny specks of old blood on it. Again the wolf was back,
I felt as if I was snarling, I paused, thinking of what I should do.
Nikki saw my hesitation and began instructing for a mattress to be
placed on the floor. I was moving to and fro waiting for the nurses to
finish arranging it. I moved quickly and kneeled on all floors. Everyone
was quiet, everything was still. I heard someone say the doctor had
arrived. Paul walked in and I felt embarrassed, only 24 hours ago we'd
sat fully clothed in his office chatting about wine, golf and the baby
and here I was, greeting him with my bare buttocks in the air!
It was his birthday. I thought it was perfect timing for the arrival of
the baby. I knew I only had to push and nothing would ever be the same
again. I hugged the rubber ball and pushed. Everyone cheered, the baby
was crowning! Everything was so quick. I pushed 3 times and out came the
baby!! I felt the enormous rush of excitement bounce off Lindsay and
Sarah. Nikki whispered something to me. It was over. I didn't move. I
remained there, taking it in. I knew the baby was fine and in good
hands. I paused for a moment before turning to hold him, wondering what
he looked like – this was it. The moment we were to make contact, my
precious baby cub and I would have a special bond for life and so I
turned to hold him….
What's going on
here?
Sherry's vivid words paint a picture of her labour
–
how heightened her senses felt, and how wonderfully in tune she was with
her body to know exactly what she needed from her husband and doula
(labour supporter).
Sherry recalls thinking she wasn't using any of the techniques
she'd learned about in class to be "active" in labour. It can be helpful
to have those tools for when you want them, but some women find, as
Sherry did, that they don't end up doing what they expected to do during
labour
– it is an unpredictable process! For
details on how ParentLink classes can help you prepare for your birth,
even for the unexpected!,
click here.
If you'd like to learn
more about how a doula could help you and your partner,
click here for details.
To talk over your particular needs or concerns, you can:
call Diann at +65
6536-4626
oremail us
