Zoe’s Calm Birth
Zoe had been in labour since early Wednesday morning. She managed to get a little sleep here and there, and I received her “I am in labour” message just before 7am. What a rush! I love everything about the anticipation and unknown of what’s to come in a birth journey.
My babysitter arrived with her eyes half closed; she knows the urgency of my “hurry up mum is in labour!” messages by now! She just pushed me out of the door and started to make brekkie for my children. I was at Zoe’s house within the hour. Their new home was filled with people: kids, Grandma, a friend, midwives and her husband. Zoe was in the bath for most of the labour and besides humming (sometimes she even managed to hum to a song) she birthed in silence.
Silence wasn’t the case with her children, however: the laughter, the squeals of excitement. Her youngest managed to drink her coconut water before baby was delivered! We ran around getting kids drinks and found the occasional pretzel floating in the bath. Alex - the youngest - hopped in the bath without any hesitation. He splashed, touched his mum, argued with Dad… and yet Zoe managed to stay present, content and calm, she reassured her children everything was ok, the baby was coming and it wasn’t until later when her humming turned into a gentle groan that her daughter got emotional. We all did. The whole room was on her side, supporting her, she needed them to get through each contraction.
Zoe gently delivered her baby girl just an hour or so later. I have heard that with calm birth babies don’t always cry…well now I’ve seen it with my own eyes, aside from a few small noises little Freyja was so peaceful. She snuggled on Zoe’s chest and kept dreaming half immersed in water. The joy in the room! Zoe’s eldest boy cut the cord, they all squished into one bed, and impatiently waited to hold their baby sister. Their family is complete, and I will treasure that January morning with them forever.
Thank you Robyn from @yarravalleymidwives and Erin from @birthinginstinctsbayside for their beautiful work on the day.