The date our little girl was due had already passed, so our phones were full of calls and messages from everyone who was eagerly waiting for her. We were ready, and we were happy because in the last month she had finally turned and was no longer in a breech position. On Thursday we had our last acupuncture appointment with Dr. Gostenčnik, and on Friday evening we had our last dinner with the bump. 🙂
My bag had been packed for ages 🙂 I’d also already completed all the necessary paperwork at the maternity hospital with Nastja’s help, and Nastja also helped me prepare my birth plan. With her knowledge, she advised me based on what I’d written, explained the practices at the Maribor maternity hospital, and told me to listen to my body, because it knows best.
On the night from Sunday to Monday, around 1 a.m., I woke up with a fluttering feeling in my belly, and a little later with frequent trips to the toilet. Towards morning I managed to sleep a bit more, and around 9 a.m. I felt the first contractions. At first I lay on the couch for a while, then I went into the shower, and after showering the contractions continued. As the pain intensified, between contractions I knelt on the couch with my hands resting on the backrest. I was relaxed and completely calm the whole time. I went back into the shower and had a few contractions there. Then back to the couch again. When I started to realize that this was clearly happening for real, I began timing the contractions, and my husband took our little dog to be looked after. When he came back, he asked if it was time to go to the maternity hospital, and I said I’d only go when the pain was unbearable and the contractions were regular. I went back into the shower again; this time I put a towel on the floor and, on all fours, got through the contractions with some groaning. My husband timed the contractions; whereas before he had to ask me when a contraction started and when it ended, now it was completely clear to him 🙂 When the contractions were 3 minutes apart and a minute long, we decided to leave for the maternity hospital.
I kept thinking the whole time that it’s easier to cope with contractions at home, that it’s great if you arrive at the maternity hospital already well dilated, and on the way to the hospital I was still wondering whether I’d left home too early. We arrived at the hospital at 1 p.m. After the exam, the midwife said I was already about 8 cm, and I was so happy in that moment and really motivated—thinking it would be over quickly and we’d soon see our little girl.
I really didn’t care which room I went to, even though my husband asked for room 1 or 6—I ended up in room 4 because all the other rooms were occupied. As I walked into the room, I saw Nastja at the door opposite. What a relief 🙂 I told my husband he could forget about the birth plan because Nastja already knows it 🙂 We both relaxed, knowing we were in safe hands and that we could trust the midwife with the rest of our little one’s arrival. We never doubted her professionalism or her decisions.
In the room, I settled onto the bed and then wanted to try being on all fours, but I soon realized I was too tired for any position other than lying on my side. I was given Entonox, which helped me stay calm and relaxed between contractions. My husband massaged my lower back the whole time, and I didn’t let him take his hands away for a second because I felt it eased the pain a lot. His hands, encouraging words, and simply being there meant so much to me.
We first tried pushing on my side, but it turned out it would be better on my back. The contractions I’d gotten through up to that point felt like nothing compared to this—pushing took much more effort and was far more painful. When her little head finally appeared, I stroked it and found the strength for the final part, and soon our baby girl was lying skin-to-skin on me. (The time was 15:14.9) We adored her and cuddled her, and soon after the birth we also latched her on to breastfeed. These moments will surely stay with us forever.
My birth story was exactly how I had imagined it. Even though all the delivery rooms were full, the midwife was available to me the whole time. I was convinced the whole time that both my baby girl and I were in safe hands, and that meant so much to me. I trusted the midwife completely, and she contributed a huge part to this wonderful birth story. Not only with what I mentioned above, but also with her personality—her gentleness, understanding, and warmth. With her ability to create that kind of atmosphere in the delivery room—calm and warm—and in doing so ensuring just such an arrival into this new world for our little princess. I’m truly grateful to her, and if I ever give birth again, I’d most happily just copy-paste the story above 🙂
Kasia: 3,970 g and 51 cm
