"During the time proceeding labor I had 2 sessions of acupuncture, I used teas, essential oils, I massaged my calves every day, walked a lot.. Then on Friday at 10 am I lost the mucus plug.. I started some batch cooking for the next days, full of hope.

12 pm first surge.

1 pm I put my boy in bed for his nap, I found lying down position very uncomfortable, I needed to breathe through 2 or 3 intense surges.  

2 pm the surges were long and intense, every 6/8 minutes

3 pm the surges became very long (1min 45sec) every 3 minutes, I couldn’t really manage anymore. Breathing through was really hard. When the midwife arrived, I was already 4 cm dilated!

She rushed me into her car to the VU (I wasn’t able to deliver at home because of my history of hemorrhage from the birth of my boy)

4 pm at the hospital, I was 9 cm dilated and I thought I have lost control. At that point, no position was making things easier, the surges were too close for me to refocus, I was not able to keep it together and I became vocal... although I really didn't think it would be my style. I was transformed, I asked for an epidural 100 times but of course it was too late.

Then at 4.30 pm my body started to push. It burned, but at that point I knew I could do it, that I was really close. 

 

Daphné was born 10 minutes later. 3,6kg. A few stitches only.

I was incredibly happy to have done it. 

 

After birth of Daphne I had an hemorrhage (it was very likely given my history and my mom's history too). This is the ‘funny’ part, after dealing with the birth without any pain killer, they sent me to the ER and put me to sleep for the surgery! What a pity. But I really didn't mind. I guess I knew my baby was safe, and I was probably high on happy hormones because I didn't mind at all.

 

By 8 pm I was back in my room and gave my baby the first breast feed.

I went home the next morning.

 

Thank you for all the tools that you gave us. So far Daphné is an angel, she sleeps well, eats a lot and gives us no trouble at all. She doesn't seem troubled by the noise her brother makes all day locked down at home. 

 

I thank you both for you warm encouragement, and I hope you and your families are keeping well.

Stay safe and take care! - Solange

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Solange and her husband joined Mamamoon One Day Retreat in Amsterdam March 6th, 2020