Jude's birth story (second baby)

After a wonderful hypnobirth with my first son Louie (check out my birth story on the blog), I was excited to give birth again when I discovered I was pregnant with Jude. This time around we found out the gender and Louie was super excited to be a big brother to a little boy!

The best big bro!

I found the second pregnancy slightly harder, and suffered with SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction, or pelvic girdle pain) which made my hips and lower back super painful! I was also carrying much larger than with Louie, and did have a growth scan to check the baby. I went in armed with evidence on so-called 'big babies' and ready to refuse any intervention but fortunately he was within the thresholds so no more questions asked!

Still a month to go here

At 37 weeks pregnant we moved house (I do not recommend this! Super stressful) and I fell under the care of a new midwifery team. I quickly tried to build rapport and get to know my community midwives at my antenatal appointments - I was planning for a home birth this time, so knew these would be the midwives who would attend to me at home. I also frantically nested and got things in place for my home birth - we had no curtains so sheets up at the windows it was!

My due date came and went however this time, having given birth to Louie 13 days 'overdue' I was expecting this and wasn't fazed. In fact it gave me more time to get things sorted so I was happy! I was still feeling well, although very stiff by this point, and I'd started feeling some tightenings, maybe once or twice a day. These felt like my whole tummy was tensing and contracting, and didn't hurt but just felt really tight. They usually lasted around 30 seconds and every time I had one my husband Tom was on high alert in case it was true labour, which was quite funny! Gradually over time I started having this feeling around 4-5 times a day.

One Sunday afternoon I was laying on the sofa cuddling Louie while Tom was cooking a roast. I'd had a few tightenings already that day but as I lay there watching a film I realised that they were coming more regularly - every 20-30 minutes. Excitedly I went to tell Tom that I thought things were starting, but in no way to panic as I was in no pain and things would still be a way off. We ate dinner as a family, and then decided to put our birth childcare plan into action, just in case - Louie went for a sleepover at Grandad's and my mum came over to me. She was really excited to be at the birth this time, as Covid meant she couldn't be present for Louie's. Once all this was sorted me, my mum and Tom settled down to watch TV. Although I was still having the tightenings, they were not yet regular and no more intense, so at 10pm I told my mum to go home and come back tomorrow. She wouldn't so we all went to bed. I woke up about 1.30pm with more intense surges, at this time I definitely knew this was it! I woke up Tom and we laid in bed with him rubbing my back, a hot water bottle and using my hypnobirthing breathing techniques to ride through the surges . A couple of hours later I felt like I wanted to go downstairs so my mum came to take over back rub duty while Tom set up my birth space downstairs and started to inflate the birthing pool.

Once downstairs I used the floor and yoga ball to change positions and used my TENS machine which brought great relief. I nibbled on a biscuit for energy and had a peppermint tea in between surges. My breathing and hypnobirthing techniques kept me calm and I had affirmations playing on repeat. It was lovely being at home and as this was early December the Christmas tree created a magical ambience!

Fairy lights, birth ball, TENS and breathing

At around 8am I felt like I needed to get in the birthing pool and Tom called the midwives. As with Louie, getting into the pool felt amazing and I was able to get myself much more comfortable. My mum and Tom kept me hydrated and cooled me off with cool towels when I felt hot, but mostly left me to labour in my own world with affirmations playing and my breathing exercises. I felt completely calm and in control. The midwives arrived and I was so happy to see the one midwife I really had clicked with - look at my dreamy face when I saw her!

Soooo happy to see her!

The midwives had read my birth plan and mostly left me to it, although were there pottering about in the background setting up their kit and paperwork. There was a fizz of excitement from my mum, Tom and the midwives as they could sense birth was near and with what felt like a really short second stage of labour (the pushing bit), Jude was born into the water, all 9lb 6oz of him! Turns out he was a little chunk after all!

We cuddled in the pool for a while and then I moved to the living room to birth the placenta while Jude had his checks. I birthed the placenta naturally and after checks was told I had no tears. We started breastfeeding immediately on the sofa while my mum brought me some toast and I felt amazing!

Jude on the living room floor having a rest!

After a couple of hours Jude's temperature was still on the borderline of being 'ok' - we had the heating on and lots of skin to skin but the midwives were cautious. They suggested we go into hospital for some observations, which we were more than happy to do. Once in the hospital we were given a private room and put Jude under the heat lamp table, which in early December I think he appreciated! We spent the time cuddling and breastfeeding and were brought tea and biscuits. After a couple of hours we headed home and soon introduced Louie to his new brother. He was over the moon and enjoyed lots of cuddles!