Matilda
"The full body relief I felt when I heard [midwife] Ellie’s voice is something I will never forget. While I felt so safe and in control throughout my whole labour I so desperately wanted Ellie there when I met my baby.”
The day my daughter was born was like any other ‘typical’ maternity leave day. My husband and I went for a walk, we watched a movie, I had a long shower. Throughout the day I was having uncomfortable tightenings but I didn’t think too much of them because they would disappear as soon as I lay down. At 4pm, while lying on the sofa, I felt and heard a pop, and when I stood up it was obvious my waters had broken. I was so excited because I knew within a matter of days I would meet my baby. I severely overestimated how long it would be until we met.
At 4:30 I felt my first contraction, it was completely different to the tightenings I had experienced that day as there was a distinct rise and fall. I messaged my beautiful midwife Ellie to let her know things were just getting started but no need to rush over, I was prepared for the marathon we had ahead. But my daughter had other ideas. My contractions were soon on top of each other and by roughly 5pm I felt the urge to push. My husband, Ryan, had Ellie on load speaker at this point who heard me bearing down and asked me to do a quick internal check. All I felt was the top of my daughter’s head and it was apparent that I was already fully dilated.
As Ellie drove (very quickly) to our house, she contacted Jan Ireland who lived close by to come as the second midwife. Thankfully Ryan is forever a calm and stable presence in my life and that day he did not disappoint. I felt completely safe with him and I had no reservations about letting my body take over. It was around 5:40pm when Jan arrived to me on all fours with head on view. Ellie was only 5 or so minutes behind. The full body relief I felt when I heard Ellie’s voice is something I will never forget. While I felt so safe and in control throughout my whole labour I so desperately wanted Ellie there when I met my baby. Goldie arrived at 6pm in a beautiful hurry, only 2 hours after my waters broke. Birth was better than I could have ever imagined and I am so excited to experience it again next year when we welcome our second child.
Birth story by Matilda.
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Matilda’s fast, beautiful home birth was made possible by continuity of care, calm support, and trusting her body. At MAMA, we walk with you every step of the way—from pregnancy through birth and beyond—so you can feel safe, prepared, and fully seen.
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