The Birth of a Star... Seren Lou's story...

This is the Birth story of

Seren Llewellyn Rachanow...

**I'm a strong believer in writing the birth story... This is because we forget! 

We forget the important parts. And then we forget to tell our children when it's time for them to have their children.  Birth is important! One day maybe robots will be doing it for us... or maybe there will be a complete breakdown of technology and we will be doing it au natural again... Either way, it's important that you know how you got here!**

The weeks leading to your arrival were busy.  I had dreams that I was in labor but would wake up to no baby.  On April 22nd I had nothing to do... I mean nothing! No school, no yoga, no work, no cleaning, no cooking, nothing... Your big sister, Sophie lou, was at her childminders playing all day and daddy was at work; and so... I was alone with Brian the dog (of course).  I decided that maybe some TV would be fun to watch so I turned on some documentaries by a funny British presenter. I was just resting and worrying about your position. (You were ROA and I needed you to be LOA)  I felt some deep period pains every once in a while but I didn't pay them any mind at first.  After the 3rd tv show I decided to time the tightening but they were like 20 minutes apart so I just carried on with what I was doing.

Around 3:30pm I decided to take Brian on the dog walk. So we suited up!  It was a beautiful sunny Spring English day.  We were walking in front of the Cathedral when I thought it would be a good idea to call Daddy to let him know that he might have to pick me up if I couldn't make it the whole 3 miles (I also gave him shopping list).

In front of the Cathedral, after a couple steps, I felt a gush!
Like a water balloon popped in my pants. I stopped dead in my tracks! (good thing I had a pad on) Immediately, panic set in! Only 10% or so of womens waters go before the onset of labor. We don't have a history of spontaneous rupture of membranes and I know that on the British system I would only have 48 hours to birth you. The clock started ticking... So I called daddy and told him that he better come home, although he could take his time. I then called our doula, Tera.  And then we headed home, but not before Brian did a poo in the middle of a school group. le sigh..

I checked the pad and the waters were clear! (thank god!)  So I called the hospital (the Rosie Birthing unit in Cambridge).  They asked me to come in to verify that it was amniotic fluid and that they would send me home after since we were a planned home birth. So I got a bag ready!  Then I deflated the birthing pool (obviously that was bad luck to have it inflated - hormonal craziness).  Daddy got home at about 4:30pm and we headed for the hospital.  But of course it was rush hour... I was having some cramping but nothing I couldn't talk through and joke through... I told daddy all about the protocol that could/would happen and then I mentioned that we could get a Bubble tea in Cambridge after they did the check.  Of course daddy was timing the cramping and said they were 7 minutes apart so there was no way we were getting Bubble tea.  To which I replied... "what's the point then, let's just go home! Turn around"  And so we did! I called the Rosie to let them know that we weren't coming in... They said no problem, and they got in touch with the homebirth midwife. She called and said that she was going home for some tea and would call me around 6ish to see how things were going.

Around 5:30pm, we got home! I called Grandma to let her know I was in labor (she likes to know these things) and then I headed upstairs. I turned on my hypnobirthing music and I just moved around from bed to floor to bed chanting my mantra.  Meanwhile, Daddy went to go get Sophie from the childminder.  When he got back he helped me change clothes and put on the tens machine. I had gotten a towel out for the floor so I could do some yoga type moves and moaning... Daddy was trying to get the pool set up upstairs while sophie was climbing a tree in the back garden.  He then dialed Tera (the doula) and put the phone next to me and said "tell her to come now".  I called and said, "Mike needs you" and after hanging up realized that actually I probably needed her more. I ended up calling the midwife too as the cramping was getting very strong.  Much stronger than it had been with Sophie.  Sophie came and sat with me and Brian. We roared like lions... And we moved all around... and I explained that everything was okay and normal...

Around 7pm, everyone got to us!  I was on the towel on the floor... hot/cold/nauseous/etc... and the 1st midwife arrived.  I think her name was Louise, she was the conservative one... I talked at her to let her know how I was feeling and how the cramping was very strong.  Tera came in to check on me and reassure me to do what I felt.

I had no control of my body... My soul, my mind...who I am.. was just along for the ride. 

Then my body got stuck, it was like I couldn't move my legs... Tera told me to change positions.. but my mind was thinking I can't... but my body just did it!  I was on all fours and more fluid came out on the white towel.  It was yellow! Meconium! Panic!  I immediately turned to the midwives (the 2nd was there too, much more cheery) and asked if I was going to be transferred to the hospital.  They said, No!  There was no time for that.  The baby was coming... I went to the toilet and the conservative midwife said no, no... not the toilet. So I got in the pool...  It was so warm and refreshing... The perfect moment of relief! And then I felt it! The uncontrollable urge to push... The first push I could feel her move down low... the midwives said to breathe and relax... again, my mind couldn't do anything but my body just did... The second push was your head! "I can see the HEAD" said the midwife... At that time Tera brought Sophie upstairs so she could properly meet you.  One last push and I was vocal as I could be... and you floated away from me into the water, not even knowing you were born!  

7:40pm on April 22nd, 2015 ~ Earth Day and my Sisters Birthday...

The midwife picked you up and gave you to me. Your cord was long!!! Sophie saw you come out of the water.  Daddy was at one hand and the 2nd midwife was at the other.  Luckily, Tera found our camera and took some pictures. You were purple and crying and perfect! We stayed in the pool for a long time but eventually just went to our bed were we snuggled as a family for the night.

You were born at home, same as your sister, in the United Kingdom! 

And in these moments, I had a glimpse of God... and the Universe... and the meaning of life itself... I will take care of you, forever! 

"You who belong to all have become mine"