Homebirth Story with 'brow presentation' baby
Jamie Benjamin born 31/03/2023
Second child
Planned homebirth
Episiotomy due to baby positioning
Overwhelmingly positive experience with a ‘bit in the middle’
I followed the birth-ed course with my first baby and had an incredibly successful and positive
homebirth experience with her. When I found out I was pregnant again I wanted a repeat of the
experience including another homebirth. So as soon as we got past our 20 week scan, had as much as
possible confirmed that our little boy was healthy, I started with my hypnobirthing prep.
Having studied and practised so intensely last time I took it a bit easier, but I listened to the soundtracks
and affirmations every day, I made a point of listening to the birth-ed podcast episode on second babies,
I created myself a vision board while I was on maternity leave and spent time reading positive birth
stories and following positive birthing accounts on social media. I planned my ideal homebirth
environment and I really felt like I had this sorted!
My last birth was incredibly fast (only 4 ½ hours from first cramps to holding my daughter) so we knew
that this birth would likely be as fast if not faster. I had a homebirth last time and I loved everything
about it so planned for the same this time.
My partner wanted a hospital birth, but it was recommended that as we probably wouldn’t get there in time to plan for another homebirth, so that’s what we did.
At 39+3 I woke up with mild cramps but thought it might just be my imagination, so I took my daughter
swimming as usual. It became apparent through the swim lesson that this was the real thing and we left.
When we got home about 12 pm I said to my partner who luckily was working at home, that it was
happening! We had lunch all together and put my daughter to bed, I rang the midwife to let them know
what was going on, I had a shower and then got into bed to rest at about 1pm.
From then things progressed very quickly. I had my bloody show and was needing to go to the toilet
pretty regularly. I was timing my contractions and using UP breathing to get through them; they were a
steady 5 ½ mins apart. Normally I wouldn’t have timed my contractions, but knowing this could go fast I
wanted to let the midwives know in good time to be able to come to the house. And I was right, they
jumped from 5 ½ mins to 2 ½ mins without anything inbetween!
At about 2.30pm I moved from my bedroom to the living room downstairs where we blew up the air
mattress and got everything ready – favourite playlist on, curtains closed, homebirth box unpacked. I
called the midwives back and was already struggling to talk through my contractions but they got the
message. My partner was in charge of organising childcare for our daughter, so we had a friend come
over (she was still asleep) thinking that they would be able to play a little bit upstairs when she woke up
and by that point it would be all over.
At 3.05 my two midwives arrived and at 3.11 my waters broke. I had been feeling in control and happy
up to that point but when my waters broke, I knew something was wrong. Immediately my whole body
went into panic mode and I started crying, it felt so different to the previous time.
One of the midwives had delivered my daughter and saw something was different with my reactions and my behaviour so
asked my permission to examine me. I was on all fours, but when she examined me it was clear that
baby was in the wrong position, and she asked me to get onto my back. I was examined again, and it was
found that baby was facing forwards instead of his back to my front like normal, and his head was tilted
upwards so he was coming forehead first.
I was struggling to get my breathing and panic under control and eventually the midwife very directly
took control and asked me to look at her, breathe and push which at that moment was exactly what I
needed.
After a few more contractions it was clear there needed to be an intervention, and my midwife
asked if she could perform an episiotomy, I immediately gave my permission. Under local anaesthetic
she performed the cut and a few hard, deep, coached pushes later at 3.41 pm my son was born and
placed straight onto my chest.
Thankfully the episiotomy had worked otherwise the midwives would have called an ambulance, and I
would have been rushed to hospital for an emergency C-Section as there was a worry about the baby at
one point due to the pressure on his head/eyes. I am beyond grateful for the decisions that were made
and that I could trust the people around me to do that successfully. My partner was in the room with me
the whole time, and I know that he sensed the panic between the midwives but that didn’t ever stop
him from holding my hand, talking to me and being an incredible support.
After a while and a drink and some food, I moved to my dining room table(!) for stitching. I’ll be honest
that although the birth was painful, this was the worst part for me but the part where I could really use
my breathing and relaxing scripts as I kept going into shock as the reality of what had just happened hit
me. I got my vision board taped to the fridge and concentrated on that to keep me calm. I was also too
unaware in the moment to really recollect my baby being placed on my chest so I started to really want
him, even though I could see him with my partner on the sofa. Basically, it was hugely overwhelming but
UP breathing helped keep me calm. Over an hour later, after lots of hand squeezing with my partner,
crying and biscuits, I was finished and could finally move to the sofa for cuddles with my baby.
The umbilical cord was still attached and was definitely white by this point, so we cut the cord together
and I could have my first proper cuddles. My daughter was able to come down from her room where
she had been blissfully unaware of everything that happened and meet her brother which was the most
magical experience. She instantly loved him, giving him kisses and cuddles and hasn’t stopped since! We
ordered pizza and sat on the sofa as a family soaking up the feeling that our family was complete.
Although this wasn’t the straightforward birth I had envisioned or expected, I was able to trust the
people in the room which was what makes it overwhelmingly positive. I would have another homebirth
in a heartbeat and recommend them to anyone, because I believe that being in my own environment
and being able to recover in the safe space of my home is what helped with such a quick recovery. That,
and talking about what happened with my partner and going through it in detail with the midwives. Six
weeks on, I truly understand why I felt the way I did in my body, and why the decisions made were
taken. I have come away with the peace of mind knowing everyone had our best interests at heart, a
small scar and a beautiful healthy son. The final addition to my perfect family.
