When Eilish met Jasper
Thursday the 25th of May 2023, I lost my mucus plug. I messaged my good friend Sarah and said "I think I just lost my mucus plug" and she asked for a photo so I sent one to her and she replied "yep that's your mucus plug".
Keeping in mind at this time none of my hospital bags were packed and neither was the baby bag. Sarah offered to come and pack them but I said I would do it. Pretty sure she messaged me every day asking if I'd packed my bags or if there were more signs of labour.
Monday the 29th of May 2023, it was a public holiday and everyone was at home. We all went by with our day business as usual as there were no signs of labour. I was really sick with a cold and it got to the point I thought I had COVID and decided to go and find a rat test to see if I did have COVID. 6:23pm, I bent down to get the COVID test and POP. My waters had broken.
I went out to Michael and stared at him for a minute in complete silence. Michael said what's wrong I said I'll be back in a minute. I went to the toilet and I was saturated. I came back out and said my waters just broke. I called the hospital as I wasn't due for another 3 weeks but also was GBS positive which requires antibiotics as soon as the waters break to prevent it passing on to the baby. The hospital said take your time to come in. So…. I finished packing all my hospital bags and by 7pm we were at the hospital waiting for the midwives.
They checked me and I wasn't dilated at all or effaced but couldn't go home as I needed the GBS antibiotics through IV. I sat and waited for a bit and then the contractions started to get stronger and stronger and closer together. I was then checked again and was 3cm in 1 hour. I asked my Midwife if I could get in the shower as I had severe back pain. The midwives then moved me into the birthing suite and I hopped in the shower, and it was the shittest, coldest shower I've ever had because I am that girl that has to have boiling showers. I asked Michael over and over for an epidural and Michael said no you told me you didn't want one no matter how much I asked and I'm glad he told me no.
I got to the stage where the shower wasn't cutting it so I asked the midwife what my other options were. She suggested morphine but that makes both mum and baby tired so it'll be a long birth or gas. I said I'll have the gas because I wanted it over and done with.
Every contraction I had I sucked on the gas and then fell back asleep. Michael was sitting on the pull out lounge in the birthing suite and ended up coming up to me and said "I'm just going to have a lay down; I promise I won't fall asleep". I look over and he is passed out. Which I was okay with because I had my own space and if I needed something the student midwife Sarah sat next to me the whole time. Pretty sure I tested her on every aspect of midwifery during my labour with the number of questions I asked but she was an absolute gem. I honestly LOVED her. I often tell everyone who ever asks that if I could have the exact same midwife's for my next birth, I would have them without hesitation.
Less than 3 hours later I was 10cm and fully effaced ready to push I don't know how loud my yell was but I remember it clear as day. I've never seen Michael wake up and jump out of his chair so fast before. He put his shoes on and was next to me within seconds. The midwives guided me through every contraction and push. When Jasper’s head was half way out the midwives asked if I wanted to touch his head and I said “no f**king way” but Michael felt it.
Another push Jasper’s head was out more and the midwives asked if I wanted to see, I said yes and then they all scattered looking for a mirror and Michael whips out his phone camera and shows me and I said “right out it away let’s get on with it”.
Within 45 Minutes from when I was ready to push, Jasper was born at 3:09am in the 30th of May.
I had the best birth and for a first-time mum it was a breeze. I had no Birth plan and absolutely no idea what I wanted all I know is I didn’t want an epidural, a Caesarean or to tear and I got none of them, all thanks to my care team!
My Midwives guided me through my whole labour and honestly cannot commend them anymore on their expertise and making my experience so easy. They even told me I should have more babies because of how calm and relaxed I was for a young mum going through labour for the first time.
My thought process was “this kid has to come out either way”
Jen, Sarah and Claire from John James Private hospital! I absolutely love you and honestly cannot thank you enough for making my birth experience the absolute best it could have been.
What do you wish you knew before birth?
That the showers at hospitals suck. If I didn't have to have antibiotics I would have happily sat in my shower at home until I really needed to go to the hospital.
If you could, would you do anything differently?
Absolutely not! My midwives made my whole experience such a breeze.
What did your partner do that really helped during labour/birth?
Nothing! I think if he was next to me or in my face and touching me and trying to tell me affirmation's I would have told him to go away. Some people probably think how could he but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way.
What advice/honest truth would give a mama-to-be about birth?
My advice hasn't changed since day dot, but listen to the midwives! They know exactly what is about to happen or is happening. They are trained very well in their jobs and know what our bodies are capable of. Go in with an open mind and explore all the options before making decisions.