Birth Story: Angela’s Incredible Birthing Instincts

Angela and Vipin attended my July Hypnobirthing Australia Positive Birth Program Classes and a private Birth Mapping session with me in 2023 in preparation for their first baby.

Angela recently contacted me to share the birth story of her second baby!

You can read her first Birth Story HERE.

Mason

38+6

3.38kg and 49cm

Unmedicated water birth

I began feeling like baby was getting ready to come early by around week 37 of pregnancy.

I could feel some discomfort when running around after my older son as I continued taking him to his weekly activities. We were also trying to spend as much time as possible enjoying our first born before another little one came along and we went out to the beach and pools both weekends before he was born. 

On Sunday 27th September, I had a bit of a bloody show but it wasn’t as significant as with my first born. It kept coming little by little until birth rather than all at once. At the same time slight period like cramps were starting but intensified to contractions at night. Sunday night was a restless one with ongoing contractions but they didn’t build to any consistency and subsided significantly by morning. I managed with a tens machine throughout the night and warm shower. I was so confused when the contractions eased off in the morning but when I questioned a midwife later, she said that my oxytocin levels were higher at night with melatonin levels so it made sense it would increase at night and dissipate by morning if my body wasn’t ready for full on labour onset yet.  Contractions continued on and off throughout the day on Monday and again I managed with the tens machine. By Monday night I was having intense contractions again but still able to use the tens and breathe through them. My husband helped with hip squeezes too when the contractions hit. 

Around midnight I went to the toilet but this time the contractions were stronger and I made the decision to go to the hospital to at least check what was happening because I was so over the contractions after sleepless nights. Right before we left, I had another contraction while on the toilet but this time felt a lot of pressure too. I thought baby was coming there and then. I wanted to make it to hospital for my water birth so we pushed through and got into the car. On the way to hospital (10 min drive) I had at least two more intense contractions and could hear my tone changing. I told my husband I think I am in transition phase. 

As we pulled into hospital and walked in to the birth unit I had another 3 contractions all with immense pressure. Once they got me into a room, the midwife asked to do a cervical check which I consented to and she advised I was only 5-6cm dilated and still had a while to go. I was already shaking at this point and when I had gone to the toilet had felt a small gush of water.

I could tell my tone had changed too with contractions and I told her I think baby is coming despite her dilation estimate.

She got onto the phone with my obstetrician and as soon as she hung up I said baby is coming now and she called her straight back and asked her to come in right away. My obstetrician said she heard me on the phone the second time and realised I was so close and raced to be there in time. 

I made my way to the bath and hopped in while it was still being filled.

I was so present through transition and pushing phase that I could actually feel and envisage baby descend through the birth canal with each fetal ejection reflex I experienced. I was even able to breathe and slow down my pushing at crowning.

I was only in the bath for 5 mins and pushed maybe 3-5 times before my baby was out and on my chest.

I pulled him out of the water and remember saying “thank God we left home in time” because only an hour before I had been contemplating trying to go back to sleep because I wouldn’t be far enough along in labour to be in hospital.

He was born at 1:05am on Tuesday 29th September. 

I trusted my body throughout this pregnancy and labour and my birth was absolutely amazing.

To feel so present and in control in the crucial moments was an amazing feeling.

I was so glad the transition and pushing phases were so quick and calm, just like I hoped they would be. My obstetrician this time around was fully supportive of me throughout my pregnancy and delivery in achieving the calm water birth I hoped for. I could hear her whispering “this is your moment” as I was birthing my son too which was a refreshing feeling after feeling more intimidated in the final weeks by my previous obstetrician in my last pregnancy.

I put the quick birth down to exercises I did every night from second trimester as well. 

I did consent to the oxytocin injection after birth for the placenta delivery this time as my first birth I bled a fair amount and felt quite light headed after delivery. I was concerned about that this time around because I also had a marginal cord insertion in this baby’s placenta and didn’t want the added risk with that. I am thankful I did get it as it meant much less fundal massage after delivery too which was really painful last time! 

I had no tearing this time either despite baby being bigger than my first! 

Later the same morning, I went to a physio session and met a young mum who had a traumatic birth experience after being induced for being 41 weeks. All I could think of was how many people must go through this when they don’t know what to expect (even if it’s their first) and don’t know how to stand up for themselves if there is no medical need for intervention.

While I didn’t do the Hypnobirthing course this time around, I did revisit my notes and practiced the techniques as much as I could and I still put both of my positive birth experiences down largely to the course. I highly recommend it to everyone who is expecting a baby.