The Homebirth of Flora Jean

23.11.2011

The journey to our fifth baby... our fourth ended in
miscarriage at 10 weeks. This pregnancy seemed so long. First ten weeks of pregnancy,
miscarriage and a long recovery back to health for me. Three months later
another little soul took flight to me... along with the usual nausea and
tiredness of early pregnancy. So for me this seemed like one long pregnancy and
perhaps that same little soul was so keen on us, that she tried again just a
short time later.

We were always dubious about the dates. There were two
possibilities with two weeks of each other. When Lynne felt my belly for the
first time we went with the later date and never gave it much more thought. So
when I felt a big gush as I prepared snacks to go on the annual homeschooling
week picnic, Ii was a bit shocked. Hmmmmmmmmm it’s too early.
My first thought was ‘is that blood’ as my previous loss
started this way. How comforted I was to find another stream of tinged pink
‘water’ flowing from me. OK, it has never happened like this before, but it
seems this could be it, or just a leak’ I told myself. My first born ruptured
her membrane about 2 hours before she
was born, my second will tell you she was born on a wave as hers ruptured as
she entered our world. My third was born in the caul. So, a new experience
already!
I sent Chris off to the home school meet with the kids and
decided to just take it easy and let Lynne know that had happened. She was
about to have her lunch and said she might just come and have it with me and
help me set up the pool (it was still in the bag) just in case. I kept feeling
this could go on for days as another friend had a slow leak like this, and
tried not to get excited yet.
I made some green tea and sat with Lynne while she ate. I
did start to feel some very mild tightening and I knew that she knew it too. We
chatted and relaxed together, then she told me she was going to do some stuff,
start on the pool, and to not feel I had to talk to her. Bless.
I began to get towels, supplies and bits and pieces
together... just in case, around 12:30. My cleaning lady was due at about 2 pm
and I could see once Lynne got the hoses going to the pool that she wouldn’’t
be able to wash the floor. I rang her at 1pm and said maybe not a good idea
today, as there were hoses everywhere and that I may be in early labor.
Soon after I began to walk up and down the hall, just moving
through the sensations, no problem. I rang my dear friend to bring a few
supplies. When she arrived I was doing my laps, up and down the hall and had a
bit of a laugh about that. It seemed I couldn’t stop moving.
Chris and the kids returned about 2:30 and they soon
realised things were starting to happen. Maurice (aged 4) began to follow me up
and down the hall. He later said that he wanted to tell me to have a rest
because he thought I would get tired walking so much.
The pool was being filled. I began to change in
consciousness, to my internal voice.
I needed the toilet and as I hiked towards the kitchen it
seemed all i could see were people; obstacles standing between me and it. “get
out of my way!” I announced. Penny smiled. She knew. I was definitely there and
things were ramping up very quickly.
Toilet was good. More hall walking. Lynne stood in a doorway
gently smiling, just watching. I knew she was right there. Her gentle voice.
She had seen me through my previous 4 pregnancies, 3 beautiful homebirths, one
miscarriage, so beautifully. We knew each other now. No need for words.
More walking. Hard to move through it now. The pain is intense.
I need to stop. To hold a wall, a doorway, something. Oh this is hard, it
hurts, I don’t like it.
As I head down the hall to look for someone, anyone to tell,
“it hurts” Lynne is waiting for me... “the pool is ready Rach, hop in if you
want to.” About 3:15.
My first time in the water. Hmmm, it still hurts I think,
but yeh, it is warm and enveloping.
Each tightening is so intense, so painful. I feel I may be
here for a while so try to rest in between. Chris and the kids are around. I am
not noisy and just there, enjoying the water in between surges. I need to hold
chris’ hand when they come now, each one stronger. I tell them all I don’t like
it.... I don’t like this, I really don’t want to do this. Next one I start to
feel a bit bulgy.... and Ooooooooooooooooooooo Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh a baby came
out! “The baby came out, the whole baby” I yell! Lynne says calmly, the head is
out Rach, yes, feel your baby. Ohhhhh.... there is more, i think. Out comes the
baby to it’s waist, strange. Then one more and Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh again,
here comes my slippery baby.
Kids are at the edge
of the pool... there are tears all around.
3:50 my baby is born
April checks.... it’s a girl. She is my third daughter. How
truly blessed i feel. Such relief, such joy, such love.
I know her middle name is Jean, but we hadn’t decided on the
first. So, “Somebody Jean” as Melissa called her had her first breastfeed and
very happily stayed on while we all admired her.
Baby girl, Flora Jean got her name the next day.
Flora Jean the strength
of my Scottish heritage is carried
through you (Jean).
You are my beautiful Spring flower.