Dominic, my number 2 son was 12 on the 19th May. How in the world did that happen? Is it just me or is time speeding up? Is the planet spinning faster or what?
His was a very gentle birth. I love to recall it.
I planned a home birth, and my dear friend Andi was going to deliver me, with Julie and Pauline attending as back up. It wasn't a smooth run up. He was breech for ages until the afternoon I found myself doing a little DIY external cephalic version ( I don't recommend this ladies, its just that one thing led to another and ... well it worked!) Once the head was down he engaged pretty quick and the head was only 1/5th palpable for weeks. I really thought I would labour early. So it was mental torture to find myself going so overdue that the possibility of the home birth I had so planned and hoped for was hanging in the balance.
On day 9 post due date, I started contracting, oh joy! When the contractions started to fizzle out I plunged into despair.I cried so hard I got a splitting headache. Pat came home from work and sent me to bed with a cup of tea and 2 Paracetamol. I poured my heart out to God and during this time the name Dominic kept coming into my mind. I looked it up in the well thumbed name book I had by the bed. It means "belonging to the Lord". Ok, I did a deal with God, I told him that if I had a son tomorrow,born at home as per plan, I would call him Dominic ( it wasn't my first choice of name) but if it wasn't tomorrow, all bets were off. Well God is very nice to me, even when I'm petulant.
The following morning, I woke up with tightenings, all day I continued to niggle, not daring to call it labour incase yesterdays scenario repeated itself. By lunchtime, I took my mums advice and went down to the chemist and got some castor oil, just to keep things "ticking over". The pharmacist, seeing my condition, was a bit wary, but I told him I was a midwife and knew exactly what I was doing ( I didn't!) I followed my mothers instructions and took it with orange juice.Oh boy! You don't need to hear the details, but suffice it to say I hung around the toilet, alot.
Around 3 pm, my friend Nicky took Brendan to her house and I got into the bath. About 4pm I was contracting good and strong every 4 minutes or so. I still didn't call anyone, I was scared I'd go out of labour again. I went down to the local shop for milk and bread. I remember the look of alarm on Mr Patels face as I clutched the side of the chilled food counter and tried to look casual as I breaaaathed it away.
Walking back home took forever, It felt like I was carrying a ton of milk in that bag.
4.30 pm I called Andi, I told her I thought I was having strong Braxton Hicks and maybe she'd come round when she'd finished her post natal visits. Ok, dear reader, I am a midwife, Andi and I trained together, and I looked after her when she had her daughter, but this was my labour, and I'd lost my midwife brain. I also phoned Pat, and told hime not to put the flags out, but not to be late home from work as this might be "it".
Thankfully Andi ignored me and came round fairly promptly. I was so glad to see her. Within minutes of her arrival I was on my hands and knees breathing hard. I was a little surprised to see her start to disrobe there and then and climb into a pair of old leggings and a t shirt like she was about to start an aerobics class or something.
I looked up at her and said " Please tell me I'm not having Braxton Hicks" She gave me a pitying look and said " Clare, you're a midwife, thats not a Braxton Hicks contraction, you are in labour" What a relief, I wanted to kiss her, I think I did.
Then things got heavy, Pauline and Jules arrived with the Entonox. I love Entonox. I retreated into my own little world. I stared at the chest of drawers where I could see a little man with a rucksack. He was climbing my chest of drawers, like it was Everest or something. I could hear him puffing and blowing trying to reach the summit. When he got to the top he'd sit there and enjoy the spectacular views. I told my midwives, they chuckled. Pauline suggested it was Russell, an obstetrician I'd worked with. They got a kick out of that. I aim to please, even in labour I was making them smile, that felt good. I focused on Russell, I knew it was me really, I wasn't totally nuts.
Pat took care of the midwives, made tea, put the champagne in the fridge and then settled himself in behind me. I felt thoroughly loved up, but I wasn't able to show it, I had work to do. Being in labour is like running a marathon, the focus is intense. You are glad of your supporters, but you can't stop to talk to them. You can't sit down on the track and stop or you'd lose the momentum. I was aware of the pain, but I felt like I was gliding above it.
The girls took turns with the camera ( Pauline later used some of the pictures for a talk she gave at a midwives conference on home birth)
Julie is sitting cross legged on the floor with my head in her lap. Andi is sitting ready to catch like a wicket keeper ( Pats words) Pauline is writing in the notes. Pat is holding my hand. I'm silently talking to God " Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God"
I move onto my knees. At 7.15pm my little son glides quietly into the world caught by Andi. She passes him into my arms, a boy, his name is Dominic. I say it aloud "Thank you God".
I can hardly believe 12 years have passed. 12 years so full of delight and blessing. Dominic is sleeping upstairs with his brothers and my heart full to bursting with gratitude. I can't find a new way to say it, so I'll let my words be few, I'll say it again with feeling " Thank you God"
Comments
May. 30, 2006 - I love reading labor stories!
Posted by dtandfambly
My midwife collected the stories of all of her patients and had them put together in a little notebook. During your pregnancy you could 'check out' the book. I spent hours reading all of the stories of babies she had delivered. Fun. Thanks for sharing your story.
Isn't it funny how children seem to be very similar in temperament to the labor from whence they came?
Also, my one of my daughter's names is Abbey. I have never particularly loved that name, but the Lord made it very clear that was to be her name. It means "fathers joy' and that is why she bears it. Little did I know that Abbey would be the most popular name of the year. It is good I didn't because I would've refused to name her that.
Finally, thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes,it is a cool avatar and it totally matches my children's cool personalities! They are awesome!
May. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Hi
Do your kids have blogs? I was just wondering.
Luv
SuperAngel Kryptonite Angel
*Rosie-Posie Iris Hardbottle* ~Luthien Alatariel Elanesse~
@M@ND@
May. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ihopeyoudance
That was a beautful post... by the end I had tears running down my face. (By the way, my baby girl's birthday is also May 19th. (She just turned 11.) Thank you God!
May. 30, 2006 - Congradulations!
Posted by deedeeuk
On making it to the company porch!!!! It's great to see the UK represented there! And Happy Birthday to Dominic! I loved your story. C was supposed to be a home birth but we went overdue and had to go in for an induction. When we got there we discovered that he was an undiagnosed breech! So home birth to C - section in just a few hours!!! God blessed us with a healthy boy and that is all that mattered a the end of the day! Thanks for sharing!
May. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Leigh2
Oh, I just LOVE reading birth stories! That was wonderful!
And, by the way....you are very welcome about the "Featured Blogger" thing...you deserve it! I was so excited when I looked this week and you were there, I yelled at Bobby "Hey....they listened to me when I nominated someone! How cool!" He had no idea what I was talking about.
May. 30, 2006 - Cool post!
Posted by Garrisongang
I love labour stories, because I can't relate to them at all! (grin) Happy birthday, Dominic! Hope it's a good one.
May. 30, 2006 - Congrats!
Posted by Garrisongang
Hey Clare! I just clicked the deal about Blogger of the Week! Aren't you something, you little upstart, you! Well done! You are now the UK's finest blogland export!
May. 31, 2006 - Good to meet you!
Posted by matiesgirl
I have sat and read a fair portion of your blog and thouroughly enjoyed it! I am from South Africa myself and spent 2 months on your beautiful isle during a university break one year. I have a fondness for all things British and am excited to hear of your homeschooling experiences! WHen I first arrived in the States (working as a physiotherpist), I was astounded to hear that people teach their children at home...weren't there schools for that and teachers who studied to equip them...? Now I have 2 girls, ages 4 and 6 and we have yet to do anything other than homeschool. Funny how that happens...
May. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Happy Birthday Dominic!
I noticed that you considered calling your blog "London Calling"! I guess we are about the same age (I am almost 40) because I was--and still am--a Clash fan! In fact, I just purchased their CD a few months ago (All I had was a record but no record player!)
I will bookmark your blog and visit again soon!
Randi
http://cheekymama2005.blogspot.com/
May. 31, 2006 - Congrats...
Posted by Buckeyeblog
...on being named the Featured Blogger!! I, too, have enjoyed you SO VERY MUCH! You are by far one of my favorites.
I know you're a Clash fan, but I'm a Beatles girl (my 18 year old dd just got me Beatles Number Ones for Mother's Day - makes life easier to have all the "good stuff" on one CD!). At 47, I can remember their very first time on the Ed Sullivan Show! Does this help to make me an honorary Brit? :-)
I loved reading your labor story - I always wanted to be a midwife AND I always wanted to have a home birth. Unfortunately, I had to have all of my dd's c-section. I've often wondered if a midwife would have known some sort of "something" that could have allowed me to have a "natural" birth that the Drs were just too busy to try. BUT...after 36 hours of labor for my last baby (who is now 15!), and not getting past 4-1/2 cm, I was READY for the c-section!!
ALSO...when you get your book, I have a story in there about my dear Daddy. Look for "My Daddy's Hands." Warning: have tissue!
Again, congratulations of being the Featured Blogger. You're such a sweetie and I appreciate all of your kind comments on my blog.
Blessings from Ohio USA, Kim Wolf<><
Jun. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ReneeM
what a wonderful wonderful story!!! - I look forward to reading more!! - I enjoyed your other blogs too - a sense of humor does wonders to a perspective :)
Jun. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jayfromcleveland
Congrats Clare! -j
Jun. 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HeartnSoul
Ah what a blessing, and now I know what it feels like (through you) to experience wonderful friends and loving support during a birth... sigh :) I should have told a birth story when sharing my kids' bdays ds-2 was 13 on the 24th, but I didn't get it done. (Ds was almost born in the car on the way to the hospital b/c dh had to stop in at the med center to tell Dr we were on our way lol! what a nut). Thanks for sharing...
Denise T