My daughter was born on the 25/11/11 at 39 weeks and 6 days gestation. It was perfect timing, with it being my husband's first day off and my midwife's first day back on after her days off.
My labour started at approximately 7pm and my daughter was born at 9.42pm, weighing 8 pounds and half an ounce. A nice, short, two and a half hour labour without any drugs.
I didn't end up having a completely silent birth - however I did have a very quiet birth. I spent the majority of the labour, once I arrived at the hospital, in the huge bath tub in the birthing centre room. I closed my eyes and relaxed, floating in the bath. It was an awesome feeling.
However my daughter turned posterior during labour and the actual birth was quite painful - she had to be pulled out at the end and left me with a nice tear in the same place as my first daughter. Luckily it didn't require as many stitches this time. I loved the water during the labour but the position while pushing her out made it take several contractions before pushing her out (with my previous daughter I was standing up for the birth and I think that gravity helped her come out in just two contractions.)
She is a very happy, quiet and relaxed baby, unlike her older sister. She rarely cries, and when she does, it's only for a few seconds.
Friday 2 December 2011
Thursday 27 October 2011
36 Weeks, And all Set To Go for Silent Birth
Tomorrow I'll be 36 weeks. Last week I had my ultrasound which confirmed that my low lying placenta has now moved up to 6cm, so I'm all set for a natural birth (baby willing!)
Last week I also discussed my full birth plan with my midwife - basically the goal is to have no talking and no touching unless there is a good reason.
Unlike my first pregnancy, I'm feeling a lot more under the weather this time. I'm experiencing acid reflux most nights, my morning sickness has come back and I am feeling very big compared to the first time around. Add to that a toddler who is about to turn two, several local groups I run, finishing my last university assignment and keeping up with the house and I'm sure you can imagine how exhausted I feel!
I guess now I just get to start playing the waiting game. My first daughter was 8 days overdue so I have a feeling this one won't be in a hurry to arrive either. My midwife won't induce unless I'm at least two weeks overdue, so at the latest this baby may arrive around mid December - although earlier than that would be very nice!
Last week I also discussed my full birth plan with my midwife - basically the goal is to have no talking and no touching unless there is a good reason.
Unlike my first pregnancy, I'm feeling a lot more under the weather this time. I'm experiencing acid reflux most nights, my morning sickness has come back and I am feeling very big compared to the first time around. Add to that a toddler who is about to turn two, several local groups I run, finishing my last university assignment and keeping up with the house and I'm sure you can imagine how exhausted I feel!
I guess now I just get to start playing the waiting game. My first daughter was 8 days overdue so I have a feeling this one won't be in a hurry to arrive either. My midwife won't induce unless I'm at least two weeks overdue, so at the latest this baby may arrive around mid December - although earlier than that would be very nice!
Wednesday 20 July 2011
21 Weeks and first Midwife Appointment - Low Lying Placenta
I went for my first midwife appointment yesterday. All seems to be going to plan, although the scan showed that I have a low lying placenta that is just 2cm from my cervix. However 95% of placentas will move up by 34 weeks so I'm not too worried - it just means a few extra ultrasounds. In fact quite a few of my friends who are in their second pregnancies have low lying placentas. It makes me wonder if it's related to subsequent pregnancies or the extra stress (and carrying) experienced during a subsequent pregnancy.
I saw a hospital doctor last week and found it quite amusing that he wants me to have an ultrasound at 28 weeks to make sure the baby is big enough - yes I'm a tall and quite skinny person but this is genetic and I have no eating disorders. My first baby was born healthy and 8 lbs 4 oz so it's hardly like I have a history of birth complications!
I've also talked to someone who is currently training in midwifery - depending how it goes she may be attending my hospital appointments with me and maybe be at the birth, as long as she's happy with my no talking, no touching rules!
I saw a hospital doctor last week and found it quite amusing that he wants me to have an ultrasound at 28 weeks to make sure the baby is big enough - yes I'm a tall and quite skinny person but this is genetic and I have no eating disorders. My first baby was born healthy and 8 lbs 4 oz so it's hardly like I have a history of birth complications!
I've also talked to someone who is currently training in midwifery - depending how it goes she may be attending my hospital appointments with me and maybe be at the birth, as long as she's happy with my no talking, no touching rules!
Tuesday 28 June 2011
18 Week Check & Silent Birth Plan
Tomorrow I'm going for my eighteen weeks scan and if all goes to plan, I'll be meeting with my midwife a few days later. I've completed my birth plan for the most part and I've posted it on the site.
I'm opting for a silent water birth if possible. My birth plan explains this, although I'm still working on one part of the plan - hand gestures. Since I won't be talking and hopefully no one else will, these will be an important part of the birth. I'll be thinking more in the next few days about the easiest and simplest gestures that I can use to communicate during the birth.
I'm opting for a silent water birth if possible. My birth plan explains this, although I'm still working on one part of the plan - hand gestures. Since I won't be talking and hopefully no one else will, these will be an important part of the birth. I'll be thinking more in the next few days about the easiest and simplest gestures that I can use to communicate during the birth.
Monday 30 May 2011
Accepted into the midwife caseload!
Today I got a phone call to say I'd been selected for the midwife caseload. The midwife explained that the goal was to give birth without drugs, only induce if medically necessary and transfer to the hospital if there were any complications. They're also big advocates of breastfeeding.
I'm glad to hear that I'm one of 20 women each month chosen! I have my first scan at the end of March and then a few days later I'll be going in to talk to my midwife. I guess I really better get cracking on my birth plan and decide exactly what I want from this birth!
I'm glad to hear that I'm one of 20 women each month chosen! I have my first scan at the end of March and then a few days later I'll be going in to talk to my midwife. I guess I really better get cracking on my birth plan and decide exactly what I want from this birth!
Saturday 21 May 2011
Positive Midwife News for Silent Birth
I contacted some of the midwives who help care for the caseload and they've said that there should be no issue with having a silent birth. They're happy to do whatever I wish in that regard.
Due to the recent addition of a birth centre at the local public hospital, I also would have access to a birthing pool if I was accepted into the caseload. I'm hoping to have a water birth as well, since I know that a water birth can make the mother calmer and quieter.
I haven't heard back about whether I've been accepted into the caseload, but a recent phone call informed me that they are currently checking through the babies due in November so hopefully I'll hear soon.
Due to the recent addition of a birth centre at the local public hospital, I also would have access to a birthing pool if I was accepted into the caseload. I'm hoping to have a water birth as well, since I know that a water birth can make the mother calmer and quieter.
I haven't heard back about whether I've been accepted into the caseload, but a recent phone call informed me that they are currently checking through the babies due in November so hopefully I'll hear soon.
Friday 13 May 2011
Reactions of Friends & Family to Silent Birth
Not surprisingly, the fact that I'm planning a silent birth has caused mixed reactions in families and friends, mostly negative. Many people automatically connect such an idea with cultist and religious behaviour that can't be mentally or physically healthy.
Of course I'm more than happy to point out the flaws in the argument as well as explain why it's got nothing to do with religion. It seems that most people have an issue with the fact that the mother can't make any noise during the labor - of course when they understand that the mother is free to make as much noise as she wishes, they're much more receptive to the idea.
I don't have any more major appointments till my next scan and hospital appointment at the end of June and start of July. I should also find out around that time if I've been accepted into the midwife caseload to have a small and familiar group of midwives available at the birth.
So until then I probably won't be doing updates - instead I'll be laying back and trying to get over the last of my morning (or all day) sickness. Once I reach 20 weeks I'll have more of an opportunity to discuss the birth with midwives and see what the best approach is for planning the birth. In the meantime I'll probably work on a sample birth plan at some stage before then, too. You can keep an eye on how far along I am with the tracker at the bottom of the page.
Of course I'm more than happy to point out the flaws in the argument as well as explain why it's got nothing to do with religion. It seems that most people have an issue with the fact that the mother can't make any noise during the labor - of course when they understand that the mother is free to make as much noise as she wishes, they're much more receptive to the idea.
I don't have any more major appointments till my next scan and hospital appointment at the end of June and start of July. I should also find out around that time if I've been accepted into the midwife caseload to have a small and familiar group of midwives available at the birth.
So until then I probably won't be doing updates - instead I'll be laying back and trying to get over the last of my morning (or all day) sickness. Once I reach 20 weeks I'll have more of an opportunity to discuss the birth with midwives and see what the best approach is for planning the birth. In the meantime I'll probably work on a sample birth plan at some stage before then, too. You can keep an eye on how far along I am with the tracker at the bottom of the page.
Sunday 8 May 2011
First Trimester Hospital Visit
A few days ago I went for my first trimester hospital visit. I live in Australia and I'm going through the public health system. At my local hospital they allow a small group of women to work with just a small group of midwives, meaning they'll be familiar with the women who'll be delivering their baby.
The group is based on low risk pregnancies and takes only 20 women each month. Everyone else who delivers at the hospital will have a midwife chosen at random depending on when they have their baby.
I'm hoping to be one of the 20 women selected, so I have a higher chance of working with a midwife who understands what I want from a silent birth and follows my birth plan. Since my first labour was only four hours, I'm sure that turning up and talking to a midwife who I've never met will be a lot more stressful.
If I don't get selected, I'm considering either using a trainee midwife from a local university or going through a new program which allows women to select a single midwife but is still government subsidised.
The group is based on low risk pregnancies and takes only 20 women each month. Everyone else who delivers at the hospital will have a midwife chosen at random depending on when they have their baby.
I'm hoping to be one of the 20 women selected, so I have a higher chance of working with a midwife who understands what I want from a silent birth and follows my birth plan. Since my first labour was only four hours, I'm sure that turning up and talking to a midwife who I've never met will be a lot more stressful.
If I don't get selected, I'm considering either using a trainee midwife from a local university or going through a new program which allows women to select a single midwife but is still government subsidised.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Welcome to my Silent Birth Blog
Despite the rumours and stigmas that surround the term silent birth, the ideas is actually quite an interesting concept. I first considered it after finding out one single fact about this unique birthing practice:
"The mother can make as much noise as she wishes, it is only the attendants who remain silent."
After feeling as if doctors were taking over my body during the end of my first pregnancy, and then discovering that I really didn't want anyone telling me to "Breathe, breathe, breathe" during every contraction, I realized that silent birth may just be the option I'm looking for. Not one to back away from an idea just because it's been insulted by the press, I thought it was worth some more research.
I'm currently three months pregnant with my second child so this blog will be a record of preparing for a silent birth, medical reactions to the idea and ultimately, how successful I find the silent birth to be in keeping both myself and the baby in the lowest stress environment possible.
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