Our midwife soon arrived and I felt relief in her presence. I felt baby was going to arrive before sunrise and was telling her this via song that came to mind in the nights leading up to birth. By this time, I was really reliant on my husband using acupressure and didn’t want him to leave my side – I totally missed his touch when he went to the door to let in our midwife! Around 4am, my waters trickled when taking a deep squat; my eyes were focussed on a candle and its fire element energy was helping to fuel me as I was feeling tired.
Around 5.15am, I had the urge to push. I was standing and using the towel rail as support with hubby using acupressure on my hips…the bath water was running. My midwife urged me into the water which I initially resisted.
My surges were intensely powerful and I felt standing was helpful to keep myself grounded.
Once I was in the bath though, I wondered why I hadn’t taken myself there earlier! The water felt so comforting, any overwhelm from the intensity lifted and there, leaning forward in a squat, I birthed our beautiful baby girl! Our 3-year-old was right, all along she had talked about her “little baby sister living in Mummy”.
Although I wasn’t in the bath for long, I felt really connected to the comforting sensation of the water from the nights prior when I had spent time visualising and connecting with baby.
I was beyond elated, full of excitement and couldn’t stop talking once she came out at 5.39am. Placenta soon followed and with my daughters present, my husband detached the cord. We then all hopped into our bed for cuddles which was the most magic, intimate moment! My mum brought me eggs on toast and a cup of broth and we enjoyed reflecting on the excitement of the night.
Birthing at home was truly special. I felt safe, comfortable, free and grateful for my midwife who was incredibly supportive thoughout the whole birth journey.
The pause from usual life that came with Level 4 gave our family time to unite and for me to deeply trust in the process of birth. We then rested into Golden Month, honouring the 6 weeks post birth to connect, rest and heal. Our baby girl is nearly one year old now and each time I walk into our bathroom, I feel a charge of excitement from birth all over again!
Angela Gervan Lough is a mum to 3 beautiful girls in Auckland. She is also an acupuncturist, wellness educator and yoga teacher at Golden Yogi in Takapuna. She specialises in pregnancy & children’s health. She can be contacted at acupunctureange@gmail.com.
