It was Wednesday evening, and I was a of couple days “overdue” which didn’t phase me at all. I was woken in the night twice with dull aches, contractions starting and I knew my body was starting to warm itself up! I slept great and by the time morning came, I just had a feeling things would start! My 3 year old Klara had gymnastics today-a good 25min drive down the spur road and the thought crossed my mind, “should I actually go?”. Ah I’ll be fine I thought, and away we went, and carried on with our day as normal. Driving home from “nastics”, I had a couple of contractions and I thought I’d better get home and stay there! That afternoon, we had some friends round, and our girls played together watched over by my close friend whilst I stood, swayed and breathed my way through a few more. I knew things were definitely starting to get going!

I went to bed that evening and sure enough, contractions were coming abit more frequently now. I stayed in bed and breathed my through each one on my own whilst Ian was putting Klara to bed. I rang the labour line, and said although I was fine for now I wanted to give a heads up as I’m having a planned homebirth. My hopes of this were slightly dampened as I was told there are no midwives and the service isn’t running. I pushed back -super politely!, and was told “I can’t just magic up midwives for you!”. Determined , and knowing this will probably be our last baby, I stood firm and reminded them of their duty of care and that I wasn’t planning on going in. An hour later I was phoned back and told two midwives were now available….as if they had indeed , appeared by magic! We agreed I was absolutely fine at the moment (8pm ish I think!) and that id phone back when I felt I needed support. I made my way downstairs turned on all my lights & music, and got comfy on the sofa. Each contraction came and I easily breathed my way through -knowing each one passing was bringing me another step closer to meeting my boy.

At 1.30am I decided it was time to phone and request some support. Whilst waiting, my contractions slowed down, and I almost doubted myself! At 2.30am I was greeted by two smiling faces-Caroline & Natalie. They came in and asked how I was doing, and if they could set up somewhere and see my birth plan. Ian showed them it in the kitchen and as I was in the living room I could hear them talking and going through my plan. Natalie came in and asked if I would like a vaginal examination, I agreed as was curious to see how I was doing-especially as I felt like things had slowed down. Around 4cm, we knew I was in active labour and were excited to see what the next few hours would bring us!

Caroline & Natalie were super respectful of my birth notes, using hush tones and calm voices-I hardly knew they were here! I continued to breath and relax as much as I could, and at around 5/5.30am decided to get into the pool. Natalie reminded me of my wooden comb, which I was very grateful for as I took this into the pool with me. Ian by myside every step of the way, reminding me to breathe, and offering me water.

As things progressed I absolutely just went with my body. I remember at one point I thought to myself, ‘I’ll change positions’, but I quickly reverted back to leaning up right on my knees and over the pool. This was where I was comfy.

Natalie continued to ask my permission everytime to listen to baby’s heartbeat and all was well. At around 7am, Natalie mentioned carrying out another examination soon if I wish, and I remember Caroline saying, “who knows what the next half an hour will bring, we might have a baby by then!” And I remember thinking, ‘come on Laura you’ve got this!”, And my “magic” midwife wasn’t wrong!

By 7.30 things were really ramping up & I requested gas and air. I was asked if another heartbeat listen in could happen but declined as I was fully in the flow now. As transition hit so did self doubt. Ian was holding my hand and reassuring me, and Caroline was now holding my other hand. “You can do it, once your waters go now your’ll be there Laura!” I remember her saying-as she was almost holding my head in her hands whilst I rested it there! I was not once told to “push”, as again Natalie & Caroline were phenomenal support and fully respected my birth plan ,-and no coached pushing as I had written. Another surge and my waters went. ‘Right Laura. Come on girl’I remember saying to myself. I could hear Ian reminding the ladies I wanted to catch him myself, -I must be close now if he is saying that I thought!!

At 8.07am and with a fair few (!!) vocal roars, I reached into the water and pulled my baby boy onto my chest. “Holy shit. We did it!” I looked up and can just remember seeing my twinkling lights “I can’t believe I did it at home!” I said, as tears rolled down my face. I looked down at our beautiful Lukas, “my god he looks just like Klara!” As his eyes stared into my soul it felt. Wow. Absolute pure euphoria!

As I was enjoying these first precious moments of skin to skin, I then heard a calming voice. “Hello Laura”, and as I turned to look I saw the wonderful Anna, community midwife who I had seen antenatally. So perfect to have her here I thought! And her aftercare was second to none, as she took exceptional care of both Lukas & I , and respected all my further choices-including me declining to transfer in due to blood loss. I again trusted myself and my body and just knew, all I needed was time to rest.

With cutting the cord we were asked who was to cut it, and I asked ‘is it white?’, it sure was, so knowing Lukas has got all he needed from it, Anna cut the cord for us. The placenta was taking its time, and these after sensations were really taking their toll on me. Concerns around my blood loss were starting to creep in, especially as I lost a tad more with Klara than the norm, so I actually requested the injection as was ready to sit and enjoy more snuggles with Lukas on my sofa. This was done and although I did loose more blood this time all was well!

By the time afternoon came I felt incredible. Klara came back after a brief first meeting just after Lukas was born! And I was happy to sit and play with her and soak up those precious first few hours as a family of four, in my own home. “I just can’t believe I did it at home!” , I kept saying to Ian, who was the greatest support. “You were amazing babe, I’m so proud of you” he said.

Lukas Ian Donegan
28.02.2025
Born at home 🤍