Heath Kam Knightly Harker

“I pushed the baby out painfree at 2:08am. I didn’t even feel a thing despite not having an epidural. The baby was born in the caul with his arm on his face so I had a second degree tear. No other complications. Not bad for a 41 yo, first baby, IVF, and having pre-eclampsia. “

After the class in February, I continued with the Spinning Babies exercises, and did the Calmbirth visualisation tracks and Calmbirth breathing every day.

I had planned on a homebirth. I had high blood pressure at 34wks and was diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia at 37wks, which absolutely ruled out a homebirth. I was referred to the LGH. The doctors booked me in for an induction at 39wks. I didn’t want to get induced so I started eating pineapple and dates, acupressure from Calmbirth, acupuncture and continued with the Calmbirth meditation tracks. At 38+2 wks, I experienced light contractions which I thought were Braxton-Hicks contractions. The contractions became stronger throughout the day so I asked my homebirth midwife (who was still assisting me despite being transferred to the hospital system). She said I was in early labour. My blood pressure measured high at home so I went to the LGH for monitoring. I did the Calmbirth breathing during contractions. The doctor said I didn’t look in pain and did an internal examination. I was 1cm dilated. The doctor said that I need to look like I’m in pain before they declare I was in active labour and they transferred me to the ward.

The next day, my contractions became increasingly stronger. A different doctor visited and said that it was unfortunate I spontaneously went into labour before the induction and if I wasn’t in active labour the following day, they will proceed with the induction as scheduled. Due to COVID restrictions, the only person that was allowed to visit me was my midwife. She visited me in the evening and timed my contractions. She said I wasn’t in active labour.

Later in the night, my contractions were very strong and I was struggling. I called the midwife on the ward and told her I was struggling. She gave me panadol, panadeine and a sleeping tablet. A few hours afterwards, I was really struggling so I called the midwife again. A different midwife came. I told her I was still struggling even after the pain medication. She tried to take my blood pressure and temperature but every time I had a contraction, I got up and walked, and even involuntarily pushed in front of her. She did an internal examination. She told me I was 10cm dilated, it was too late for an epidural and to get my stuff because we’re going to the birthing suite.

In the birthing suite, I was ready to push but needed to wait until my husband and homebirth midwife to arrive so I panted like a dog during contractions. They arrived around 1:20am and I pushed the baby out painfree at 2:08am. I didn’t even feel a thing despite not having an epidural. The baby was born in the caul with his arm on his face so I had a second degree tear. No other complications. Not bad for a 41 yo, first baby, IVF, and having pre-eclampsia.

Regards, Kelly