1 week since Freddy came into this world!

1 week since Freddy came into this world!

Here is my birth story because I love a birth story & I’ve had many expecting mums reach out wanting to know my own personal experience. A tale of 2 stories but a day I will remember & cherish forever.

Firstly, the 2nd time around your body knows more – what to expect & what to do, however the pain is just as bad.

So on Wed July 2nd I woke to my waters leaking. Once I called my midwife, I knew today was the day we would meet Freddy. I chose to labour at home until I thought the pain was getting too uncomfortable to stand unassisted (& I started to get very light headed). This was only for about 3.5 hrs before we headed to the hospital where I measured 6cms dilated. From about 11am-12:30pm I would have to say I endured the most pain I could possibly imagine & I made noises I hope to forget soon (sorry Ryan). I had prepared with my physio @lisabirmingham_ at @allwomenshealthaus & spoken with @joelenemurdoch at @bornready_betterbirths to prepare for a natural birth & no drugs. For all women but especially elite athletes, the control of your pelvic floor is crucial & to be able to push with 100% sensation would increase my chances of a delivery with limited to no damage to my pelvic floor, hence this decision to opt for no drugs. At 12pm I started to doubt I could do it, asking my midwife if I needed an epidural to dilate. She casually but confidently assured me we would be pushing soon. At 12:40pm I reached 10cms & I began pushing for an hour & this by far was the hardest thing I’ve endured to date, however nothing will match the euphoria I had pulling my baby up onto my chest at the end of it.

What I didn’t know is internally my body was hemorrhaging from vessels attached to the placenta & I lost 1.5L of blood very quickly due to a postpartum hemorrhage. Although this flipped the mood & turned our birthing sweet into a stampede of doctors – within 30mins & swift, amazing care by the staff, I was stable & back feeling elated yet exhausted.

Grateful for my amazing midwife & @matermothers for an experience I’ll never forget. Freddy & I are doing better than ever.