Vega’s Birth Story

Vega birth announcement

I spent the last trimester of my pregnancy convinced I would give birth well before my due date. Our third child was three weeks early, and this bump sat really low the whole time. Even my midwife told me I’d deliver well before my due date. So as the 22nd December came and went, I began to feel a little fed up and anxious. Having given birth three times before, I was strangely nervous this time around. By the time Christmas Day passed I had really had enough of being pregnant and was beginning to think I would never give birth. The few days before Vega arrived, I’d had a few twinges and I knew that my body was ready to give birth. unfortunately we had family visiting on the Saturday and Sunday which added to my stress and I knew there was no way my body would relax and give in to labour before they arrived or while they were around. They left around lunch time on the Sunday, the kiddos and I spent an afternoon relaxing, finally having he stresses of Christmas and visitors behind me.

We sat down to watch a movie, Kiki, Baya and I {Annie if you want to know!} and had a ‘picky’ dinner. I was in the kitchen at 6.36pm when the first contraction came, and my waters popped. In my previous labours, my waters never went until right before the baby was born, so this really took me by surprise. Funnily, my first thought was “I’d better clear away all of the dinner things”!! So I did.. the contractions kept coming, every 4 minutes or so. G was at work, so I managed to walk around the house for an hour, getting a few things sorted while the kiddos watched the movie {through their excitement at the impending birth}. The contractions were growing in intensity and by ten past seven were coming every 3 minutes or so. I called G home from work and rang the labour ward. The community midwife rang me back at half past seven to tell me they were on their way and would be there in half an hour. Thankfully, G came home then as the contractions were getting really intense and frankly I needed a hand to squeeze!

He started timing them, and told me they were coming every 2 minutes and lasting a good 30-40 seconds. The midwife’s arrived at 8pm and I was pretty relieved to see them. We’d set up in the bedroom, leaving the girlies downstairs to watch some TV. The midwifes got set up and examined me, by this point I was around 7cm. I got comfortable sitting on the bed, though I think this slowed things down a little. The contractions continued to increase in intensity and length, by 9pm I was 9cm dilated and beginning to feel the urge to push. They told me to wait as my body wasn’t quite ready. Finally I got the go-ahead to push and after 5 minutes and his head was born… a few pants later and the rest of him followed.

Vega was born at 9.25pm on December 28th weighing 9lb 6oz {my biggest baby by far – the girls were 8lb 2oz, 8lb 1oz and 7lb 2oz}. He was placed straight onto my chest and latched on and started nursing almost straight away. Once the placenta had come out and the midwives had cleaned me up a little, the girlies came up to meet their brother. Nothing beats being in your own home, with all of your family around you. The midwives left, I had a bath, the girls had a cuddle or two before going to bed, then G and I sat on the sofa with a new baby, watching a little TV ;)

I’m incredibly lucky to have had such an easy birth. Three hours from start to finish, with no tearing, no problems at all. In fact all four of my labours have been easy and straightforward, and for that I am incredibly grateful. I have muchos respect for those of you who endure long labours – three hours was more than enough!!

Vega's birth story
newborn vega

29 Comments

  1. Frithastrickland

    January 28, 2015 at 08:23

    Beautiful Polly!! I miss giving birth, it was the most amazing experience of my life and you make me want to do it again! Such a beautiful family you’ve got there! Xx

  2. Janice Mackin

    January 28, 2015 at 09:13

    What a beautiful birth, congratulations!

  3. Aylson Stewart

    January 28, 2015 at 09:48

    So lovely to hear your story. Thank you for sharing x

  4. Keri-Anne

    January 28, 2015 at 11:02

    SO SO wonderful! You did amazing! He is just the cutest :) x

  5. Kirsty Wyatt

    January 28, 2015 at 11:05

    Wow. That sounds very calm and stress free. After a long labour with my first, I’m hoping I’m blessed with a much shorter one this time.

  6. Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows

    January 28, 2015 at 14:22

    He (and your daughters!) really are gorgeous – and how on earth do you look so good just after giving birth?!

  7. Globalmouse

    January 28, 2015 at 14:59

    Such a lovely, positive story. I’m so pleased it went so well – gorgeous photos of all of you.

  8. Cherished By Me

    January 28, 2015 at 15:29

    What a lovely birth story…I always had long labours but like you remained calm and had most of them at home, so much easier. Congratulations, and I love his name

  9. Jen Walshaw

    January 28, 2015 at 17:21

    Wow, that is such a positive inspirational birth story. You are one strong and positive mama!

  10. Mina Joshi

    January 28, 2015 at 17:48

    Wow so glad to read that everything went OK. I can’t believe that you were clearing up the kitchen whilst having contractions!! I love the picture of you with your children.

  11. Jess @ Along Came Cherry

    January 28, 2015 at 18:12

    Ah I love reading birth stories! It sounds really similar to Tiger’s birth which I enjoyed (as much as one can enjoy labour!), it almost makes me want to do it again. I loved being at home afterwards, best thing ever. Gorgeous family and so lovely you have a boy too! x

  12. Bettina

    January 28, 2015 at 21:16

    Lovely birth story. I’ll be channelling you in the coming few weeks as I wait for baby number two. I’m also hoping for an early one but I had a reiki session yesterday and she said he is so happy where he is. Damn!

  13. mellissa williams

    January 28, 2015 at 21:53

    You sound like you had a perfect birth and how lovely to be at home too. He looks gorgeous :) Hope you are getting enough rest.

  14. Kahler

    January 28, 2015 at 22:29

    Your boy is gorgeous and he has such a cool name! Beautiful birth story, thank you for sharing :)

  15. Kerry

    January 28, 2015 at 22:50

    What a perfect home birth! I would have loved a home birth but after my first birth i wasnt allowed. Congratulations again xx

  16. Stephs Two Girls

    January 28, 2015 at 23:34

    Sounds like you were so calm! Lovely to be able to be at home with your other children x

  17. Sonya Cisco

    January 29, 2015 at 09:29

    Sounds perfect! I would have loved a home birth, but some serious complications with my first meant it wasnt an option. My third was as good as it got for me – gave birth at 3, home on my own sofa by 8. Cant beat your own home!

  18. Kara

    January 29, 2015 at 10:24

    Sounds like you had a wonderful experience, I would have loved a home birth but sadly it wasn’t to be

  19. wendy

    January 29, 2015 at 13:13

    Beautiful pictures, what a wonderful experience. Huge congratulations xx

  20. laura redburn

    January 29, 2015 at 16:14

    aww, so sweet. love his middle name too.

  21. otilia

    January 29, 2015 at 17:39

    How wonderful. I wanted a natural birth with both mine and struggled to do so but unfortunately i was unable. Such a beautiful picture with the 5 of you!

  22. Lori

    January 29, 2015 at 19:08

    Such a beautiful story and well done you! I’m so pleased you had a good birth at home. I’ve been told a home birth is out of the question due to all my previous issues. x

  23. Adele @ Circus Queen

    January 29, 2015 at 22:49

    How amazing, Polly! I’m getting teary-eyed reading this! I agree, nothing beats being at home. If I ever have another, I might consider keeping the girls home so they can come up to as that just sounds such a lovely bit of it. Thanks for sharing. We need more positive birth stories like this, all over the internet. :)

  24. Laura

    January 29, 2015 at 23:46

    Oh wow what a wonderful birth story and I am so happy it was fairly smooth and short (although over-due). Also how wonderful to have him at home – I truly wish I had that option as it’s such a wonderful way to bring a new addition to your family into the world.

    Laura x

  25. Claire

    January 30, 2015 at 10:44

    Oh, what a lovely way for Vega to enter the World. I have happy tears. So glad it all went well for you. Such a lovely birth story xxx

  26. Abigail

    January 30, 2015 at 21:50

    Aw, so beautiful! He’s a handsome little lad. Congratulations!

  27. Emma | The Mini Mes and Me

    February 3, 2015 at 10:27

    I love his very original name. It sounds as though he didn’t want to come out to the cold lol x

  28. Kimberlee

    February 6, 2015 at 09:45

    congratulations again polly! It sounds like a beautiful experience. Both of my previous labours have been quick (5.5hrs & 1hr) so we have decided that if we are lucky enough to have a third child it will be a home birth as I don’t think I’d make it anywhere else in time. I love the idea of having my other children around to meet the baby straight away. Beautiful birth story! xx

  29. Natalie

    February 6, 2015 at 20:48

    Lovely., I would love a home birth next? Also fortunate to have had three amazing birth experiences, even though I did tear with all three, I didn’t notice… Wanted water births but they all happened so fast and the pools were busy! Home birth sounds so relaxing, and that’s what I love in labour, is to feel relaxed.
    I really should’ve had the last two at home considering they were both under and hour! Xxx

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