My spirits are oh so high now that a kite on speed could never catch up.
This afternoon I attended a waterbirth workshop at the hospital where I will give birth, and I was reminded that a) labour can be a positive experience and b) the little outcome is so fantastic. Soon I will cradle my own baby in my arms, wow… incredible….
We watched a video of women giving birth in a birthing pool and they had such positive experiences. They didn’t scream in agony; instead they breathed deeply and pushed lots. Some even caught the baby as it popped out. And most babies didn’t cry upon entering this world; instead they looked calm and content and gazed curiously at their mother. Both mom and dad were in the water and the three of them were bonding instantly. So beautiful…sob. (Had to blink away a tear at this point.)
Another great thing about water births is that you are less likely to tear. This has to do with the soothing properties of the water, but also that you will push when it feels right so the perineum stretches gradually. This is music to my ears!
As a side note, if you plan to use the birthing pool, you should bring a sieve so the (lucky) midwife can, ahem, clean the pool once you’re done…
The hospital’s birth centre has only one pool, so I won’t know until I get there if it’s available, and if so, my labour needs to be assessed low-risk in order to use it. In any case, all rooms in the birth centre, and those in the labour ward for that matter, have large bath tubs so at least I can use water as pain relief.
I left with a sense of joy, that no matter how this baby makes a debut, be it in water or via an emergency caesarean, it’ll be alright. I’m in good hands. Can’t wait to see you babe!
