Tara's story Another hospital birth
Despite mixed feelings about my first hospital birth, I was keen to have my second birth in a hospital. There were two main reasons for this: firstly I knew my pain threshold and wanted to have an epidural as soon as possible once I felt I had reached that point and secondly I wanted there to be a paediatrician “to hand” as soon as the baby was born just in case…
Susie's story
This is the story of the birth of our son Kyle. I want to write this down for lots of reasons. First, for us as a family to be able to remember how our beautiful son came into this world. Second, for me to be able to show how much I have valued those who helped this be the story of wonder and joy that it is (and nearly wasn't). And finally, for those who are to have babies to have a birth story to think about when they are considering their choices of how and where to have their baby.
Matt's story
As I write this, Kyle was born a week ago, following an eventful,
emotional and stressful three days of labour. I want to write this story though
as it is a great story with all the best elements of a classic: initial hopes,
unforeseen challenges, wonderful heroes and a happy ending. I want to write it
so that we as a family can retain a memory of some of the best days of our
lives, share them with Kyle in time, but also share them with others who may
find our experience useful in thinking about their own options for birth.
Gary's story
Keep calm: write it down.
The
notes at the back of my black moleskin writing book are carefully
printed. Saturday 13th December 2008. 2.10 – 3.00 am: every 8 minutes, 3.00 am – 3.50 am: every 10-12 minutes. Order imposed on a situation in flux. Because we are moving ladies and gentlemen, at long last we are on our way! In response; Man does what man do. Chart it. Record it. Predict it and in doing so, try to bluff your pale and scared rational self, presently nail biting in a cool corner of your steadily heating mind that maybe, just maybe you can actually control it. (4.00 – 5.15 am: every 12-15 minutes).
Nicola's story
I was 15
days late and really sick of people asking if I was going to get induced so
I decided to take things into my own hands by having a long walk, spicy
food, raspberry leaf tea and then sitting on my gym ball whilst watching “My
fair lady” and bouncing in the hope something would happen..... and it
did!!!
Jonathan's story
It’s unfortunate that as a partner, you don’t often get the chance to tell your side of the birth story. Understandably, the woman’s experience is paramount but for me the birth was certainly the most extraordinary experience of my life, intense, emotional, difficult, exhilarating, beautiful and life-affirming. And it is usually those positive adjectives that cut short my story when I tell it to other people. They smile wryly and interrupt to ask if Marianne found it so positive. I feel chastened and shut up. But perhaps the partner’s story is valid also.
Hana's story
Two
weeks overdue, a little bit desperate and anxious to meet our baby, we decided,
on Tuesday (Jan 8th), to go to an IMAX cinema to see an evening show
of a 3D movie called "Beowulf". I had a sort of idea that, eventually, sound and
visual effects of the 3D cinema can help to explain to my baby, it’s time to
leave the quiet place of my womb. Perhaps, it had worked. We left the cinema
earlier, after about 45 min, because noise agitated my baby, who started to move
frantically. Never mind. The movie wasn’t great after all.
Beate's story
My due date was September the 13th, a Thursday- the evening before
should have been pregnancy Yoga at the Angel. I had some contactions during the
day which were not Braxton Hicks, I was picturing more contractions on the
Northern Line and decided not to go.
Instead we opted for a local curry place, the old traditional curry method!
Stephanie’s story
When I fell pregnant with my first child I found out that I would benefit from the Midwife in the Community (one-to-one) Scheme. I liked the idea of a personal service and felt very lucky when I had my first appointment with Marijn. It was a great start to the adventure and made me feel confident about the future. Throughout the pregnancy I had regular visits during which all examinations and necessary tests were performed, always accompanied with full and extensive information. Marijn had the time and presence to explain things and was always available on the phone if I needed more details (I used to come up with questions after the appointments!)
Paul's story
Our little
baby girl Sofia was born in mighty quick time - actually on the bathroom floor
in the early morning of 22nd June, before our midwives could be in attendance.
We later realised that it was my wife Helen who had delivered her own baby
herself !