Amelie

Amelie Joy
Wednesday January 25th 2012
14:41
9lb 4oz

Here's my log of the birth as it happened:

Well it is 8:15 on 25th January 2012 and things are in full swing. Contractions are now coming at intervals of between 5 and 3 minutes. Bec is sitting on the birth ball breathing through her teeth whilst listening to Birth Affirmations (“I release my birth over to my body and my baby”). She’s been contracting since 13:00 yesterday with some ons and offs. Last night we watched Chicago and an episode of Outnumbered (one where the parents were discussing the children leaving home - a long way off for us!), we snatched bits of sleep here and there (I more than Bec) and at some point we watched Paul Simon’s BBC One session. At 6:00 we (Bec) got things going again and the contractions have been getting closer together since. After a nice hour together (lots of explaining about what was happening and plenty of cuddles) Isla was picked up by Nanna at 7:45 And so we wait. (“I release my birth over to my body and my baby. I bring myself into deeper relaxation as my birthing advances. I breathe out slowly with each surge of my body. I see my baby descending through tissues that are pink and healthy.”)

9:40 – 7cm

10.40 - gas

And that's all I got. Think I forgot how much needs to be done by the father at a homebirth!

So, to fill in the gaps: Sometime after Bec started on the good old Entonox we made a quick decision to have her waters broken as she didn't seem to be progressing (a mental block Bec thinks). As soon as the waters were broken things happened thick and fast - the 'Push It Out' playlist went on and Bec was intent on getting the baby out. After 30 minutes of pushing Amelie Joy entered the world and I fell in love all over again. (This really does not do justice to the sterling work Bec put in on that day - I'll point you to her birth story when she's written it)

After all the obligatory cleaning up and Midwife jobs were done, we were able to settle our new baby into life on the outside. Isla returned home to meet her new baby sister and adored her straight away - soft strokes, big kisses, hugs and the official "nose" check.

A family of four!

An out-of-context quote:

"Just to know that this must be sacred,
With the trust of a naked infant,
The instant life is held,
See how the night is held,
A gallery of galaxies,
With you its most attractive piece"

- Mr. J. Medeiros 'Amelie'