"My birth story"

I had a 20 hour labour, 14 of those were at home, and over 2 hours of pushing. The only thing I could think of doing was focus on my breathing, any other strategies were forgotten as the pain was so intense. I'd tried the gas, which didn't do anything for the pain, and asked for the epidural but I believe the midwife stalled until it was too late.

My midwife and spouse were terrific supports and they had the faith I didn't that I could do it without an epidural. Pushing was a completely different ball game, it's like the intense pain disappeared and I was focussed on getting my baby out. I eventually birthed my baby at 1:19am. My spouse caught her and cut the cord while I had skin to skin with my new baby. I ended up with a 2nd degree tear and 750ml of blood loss but I hardly felt it.

It was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do but I'm so glad I got to have my birth with no interventions (no epidural, no episiotomy, no forceps or vacuum), and I owe a lot of it to my midwife who was very supportive of my preferences.