Captured by Charlie @ Little Rose Photography
Cora is baby #3 for us. She came as a bit of a surprise- I’m in the midst of my midwifery degree, working as a casual RN, balancing two very young boys and the on call life that midwifery studies entail. How could we do this? We weren’t sure but this was meant to be..
My first birth was an induction for PE at 38+5 and he was a ‘trial of forceps’ in theatre that if I didn’t advocate for myself, would have been a section under general. Long induction. Big Bubba. Undetected blood loss requiring infusion. Poor healing. The whole shebang!
My second was a rough pregnancy with admission for TPL around 30 weeks, full TPL protocol. I did a private calm birth course with Kaye Duncan and Thankfully he managed to stay in until 40+1 where I had spontaneous labour and waterbirth in the birth centre using only gas. This experience was super healing for me!
Flash forward to this pregnancy. I decided early on it was time to try a homebirth. Private care is not financially an option for us, and freebirth is not for me, so apply for MGP and pray I get in it was. Thankfully I’ve had both my previous babies through them and know how amazing they are! I had a few issues in pregnancy, a 2 vessel cord so extra growth scans and a fair few presentations and two admissions to hospital for hyperemesis, irritable uterus, back to back viral illnesses including covid etc. I stopped work early. I had an iron infusion at 36 weeks as I don’t tolerate supplements and definitely found this to help me both physically and mentally.
We finally made it to term and I was in so much pain and so over it. But felt relieved when the birth kit and oxygen got delivered. I hired a birth pool last minute and set up my space. And we waited…
39 weeks rolled around. I had my appt on the Tuesday at home. I admitted to my midwife I’d had a reduction in movement and she understood why I was apprehensive to go in (term reduced movements often quick to have induction encouraged), but said if I was concerned enough that assessment was warranted! (Highly recommend not delaying it like I did- hello anxiety) I decided to go in..
On presentation I had an amazing young male doctor care for me. I had reassuring bloods, ultrasound and on ctg, her movements returned to normal. As suspected though I was offered to book a next available induction because of my gestation. I rang my MGP midwives in a fluff and was reassured of their guidelines that if nothing was found to be wrong there was no reason I can’t decline induction and birth at home. The doctor was surprisingly understanding and admitted he didn’t know a lot about homebirth. Was more than happy to just document what their recommendations were- and give me the option. I accepted a stretch and sweep and once again was supported about my decision from the midwives in the assessment unit also.
From the following morning I had continuous bloody show. I was struggling on the Wednesday as boys were home from childcare. My fiancé agreed he would stay home Friday if I needed! Thursday I took myself to the shops, went shopping, had a yummy lunch and watched a movie at the cinemas by myself (how often does that happen as a busy mum 😂). On Friday their dad stayed home and we went to Costco and stocked up, and generally spent some quality time together. I was still losing bloody mucous at this point.
4am Saturday the 21 month old woke and came into our bed for a cuddle. Daddy was demoted to the couch. I was trying to get back to sleep when I noticed a shooting pain down my left side of my belly (she had be positioned LOP for a few weeks) and realised they were coming regularly every 10 minutes and had some mild tightening at the same time. I tried going to toilet and rolling over to no avail. They kept coming and an hour later they were 7 minutes apart. I told the fiancé I thought I was in labour and was going to call the midwives soon (I have a history of a fastish labour with my second)- I gave them a ‘it’s time’ early warning call. He fell back to sleep and I woke him with a violent shake just after 6 when they were now 3 minutes apart and I was calling the midwives again to come NOW 😂 Immediately contacted my mum and birth photographer to come now (had texted them slightly earlier). Sent fiancé in to fill the birth pool.
Mum and photographer got there first. Then the MIL arrived to come get the boys. First midwife after 7am and I was labouring in kitchen with TENS machine and breathing (horses breath is amazing- thank me later). I had my OBs done. I requested a VE because I was in denial as usual. But no Jordan- your 7-8cm with bulging waters- get in that pool your making all the typical ‘I’m about to have a baby’ noises 😂 by that point my contractions were 2 minutes apart and on top of each other.
I got in the pool sometime after 8 and it instantly spaced them a little and provided the relief I needed.! Second midwife arrived and I felt her moving down so fast and furious. I knew it wouldn’t be long.!
The urge to push came quickly. Poop everywhere. My waters went subtly. Nice and clear. Two pushes and I knew we were close. Third i felt her head come out and I put my hand down there to confirm. At this point I’m unsure if anyone else knew she was out. One more contraction/push and a mighty roar and she was out! I scooped my princess up, released her nuchal cord and then of course had to make sure i was indeed finally getting a girl!
Third stage was super painful this time. I stayed in the pool, rubbed my Fundus a little. Eventually decided to get out to try standing or toilet. I ended up birthing the placenta at about the 20 minute mark after I stood up in the pool! We took a photo of her attached to her placenta and then clamped and daddy cut her cord!
Then we sat on the bed and relaxed, breastfed, cuddled while my mum and fiancé cleared the birth pool away to make room. I had them check my peri and I only had a mild 1st degree that would heal on its own. I handed baby over for cuddles to mum/fiancé and had my first shower! At the three hour mark we come out to the kitchen and did bubs measurements and vitamin k while I ate breakfast! At the 4 hour mark all was perfect and the midwives left!
Miss Cora Mae Leigh Robbins
Born at 8.30am on 1st of October 2022
39+5 weeks gestation
4110g
54cm long
35cm head circumference
I will never not be an advocate for publicly funded homebirth. Whilst the guidelines aren’t for everyone I think it’s a great option we have in SA for those who can’t afford to seek other care. Hopefully in the future the access to homebirth only improves and broadens and maybe one day I’ll be holding space for other women in their homes 🥰💕
*Please discuss your birth options with your care provider and do your own research*
All professional images by Charlie @ Little Rose Photography, to book visit: https://www.littlerosephotography.com.au/packages
To Watch Cora's Birth in Full as Captured by Little Rose Photography visit:
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