The intake midwife had checked my file and because of the high blood pressure on Wednesday when they wanted to induce me told me to come in to be assessed. We got to the hospital around 6:30am they assessed me and I was already 9cm dilated. I asked to be wheeled into the birthing suits because the surges were so strong I had to keep stopping to breath.  At this stage I wanted drugs I was in agony. Which is the opposite of my birth preference but I think I was asking them to give me paracetamol- they told me they would set up the gas. I’m so glad the midwives stuck to my preferences more than my words then!! I was very lucky to get good midwives who were calm and not rushing me . When we eventually got to our birthing room the midwives were incredible and calm. They gave me a bit of gas/air and suggested I get in the shower. Benny got in with me but the urge to bear down to push was really strong. I knew I was transitioning before I left home as I had thrown up and felt like the baby was really in position. Part of the cervix wasn’t fully dilated yet when they checked me. I felt I wanted to poop really badly.  I sat on the toilet I was scared of pushing in case baby came out. The midwives said to tell her if I was gonna push. There was no drugs no monitoring for the baby which is what I wanted, no offer of any interventions or painkillers. There was a Tibetan chant from my birth playlist on the background I thought this would annoy the midwives because was loud and repetitive. They suggested another position leaning on the bed facing the wall. This is when I really felt like I was gonna poop on the bed but they could see and I could feel his head.  I think after 3-4 pushes baby came out. I did scream that really helped me open my bottom. Only took 26 minutes after I was on the bed for him to be in my arms. It was the most incredible feeling to hold him. I had a post it note saying pranayama from a yoga student who happened to be a midwife and came in during the birth. This was interesting she used to come to my classes I didn’t know she worked there. We waited one hour for the placenta to be delivered but nothing so they gave me the injection. I went to the toilet to try and pee and the placenta came out all at once. I only had minor tearing of the labia because baby was posterior and he came out with his hand by the side of his face. He likes to have his little hand by the side of his face. 3-4 minor stitches no perineum tear. It was the most amazing experience and he is divine. We were discharged the next day 💖❤️💖 thank you for making this possible"
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From Chi Shankar