The Birth of Asher: Waterbirth & Homebirth in South-East London

Early on in my third trimester, my husband and I decided that we would like to plan for a home birth. We discussed with the community midwives and they were so supportive of our choice. A community midwife came to our home at 35 weeks to talk through the process / their guidelines etc. 

From 39+4 I started getting small signs that made me wonder if baby was getting ready to make an appearance soon. I had days where I just wanted to stay home in a dimly lit room and relax (very unlike me!), I found myself crying happy tears at the smallest of things and I started feeling increased pressure from baby’s head. In the evening of baby’s ‘due date’ the pressure from baby’s head felt very strong - and I remember thinking it can’t be long now. 

From about 1am that night (40+1), I started feeling some discomfort/period-like cramps in my tummy which woke me up, but I could get back to sleep quickly after. From about 2am I felt like they were coming fairly regularly so started monitoring them - they were coming every 10 minutes. 

At 3am, I felt like I couldn’t sleep through them, so I decided to go downstairs, relax and watch Friends. My partner started setting up the birth pool in the lounge, before joining me on the sofa. 

By 5am, the period-like cramps started feeling a little more intense, I had to focus on them, really breath through them and I started to use the birth comb. The contractions were a little sporadic - mostly every 7/8 minutes, but then I’d have 2 in 10 minutes so we decided to call triage (my first labour was fast so was advised by my community midwife to call sooner). The midwife my partner spoke to was great - I wondered if we’d be told to wait a little longer but she asked what we would like, and so we asked for the midwives to come out. 

Within an hour three midwives arrived (one being a student midwife). One of the midwives I had met before at a routine appointment and it was so relaxing to see a familiar face. 

My partner started filling the birth pool. The midwives did a few observations and then went to the kitchen, listening in, so that I could continue labouring with privacy. 

I was using the birthing ball a lot - either sitting upright on it, sitting on it leaning over the media unit or leaning over it on all fours. 

At 6:30am I was having 2-3 contractions every 10 minutes. At 7:15am I agreed to having a cervical examination but declined a sweep - I was 2-3cm dilated. (I didn’t really think much of this, as with my first I went from 3cm to fully dilated within 3 hours). 

Around 8:30am the contractions ramped up in intensity, and at 9:15am I decided to get in the pool. The warmth of the water and feeling of weightlessness instantly felt amazing. I was sitting in the birth pool and after 30 minutes I felt the need to be on all fours in the pool, leaning on my husband.

My breathing changed, I felt like I needed to make noise - after just 6 minutes of pushing - baby boy, Asher arrived with my waters breaking at the same time (9:51am - with Friends s.7 episode 1 on in the background!). My husband caught Asher and brought him up to my chest. The emotion immediately hit me.

We had skin to skin in the pool for an hour while I tried to physiologically deliver the placenta, the environment was kept calm and dimly lit and I had lots of cuddles with Asher while breastfeeding him. However, I did end up asking for the injection - my husband cut the cord, I got out of the pool, and the placenta was delivered minutes later. I had a grade 1 tear, requiring no stitches. 

Within minutes, I was sat on the sofa with my husband in our gorgeous baby bubble. The midwives very kindly made us tea and toast, tidied up and left by 12:20pm. 

The whole labour from start to finish, while being intense and hard work, felt so peaceful and calm - and I really would say it was the birth I had visualised all these weeks. 

I have also seen the same midwives for my at-home post natal checks (day 1 and day 5) - it’s been so lovely being able to talk to them about my labour experience that they were a part of. 

The labour prep (hypnobirthing refresher course, practicing breathing techniques, hypnobirthing tracks and positive affirmations), as well as the environment on the day (being in a safe, calm, dimly lit environment) and the tools used (birthing comb, upright birthing positions, hypnobirthing, water) really did help make my experience what it was - a positive, wonderful experience that I will cherish forever.  

Do you want a Positive Birth too? 

My antenatal Hypnobirthing courses are available both in-person and online, and are designed to be a fun and relaxing experience for you and your birth partner - a real highlight of your pregnancy.

I offer different formats suitable for every budget as it is important that Hypnobirthing is accessible and affordable for everyone.

 Find the perfect class for you below:

• Group Hypnobirthing Courses (South-East London & Kent)
• Private 1:1 Birth Prep Coaching
• The Complete Online Hypnobirthing Course

Or you can get started today with our FREE 5-Day Hypnobirthing Challenge!