I never thought I'd have a fast birth. And yet I did! It was awesome, but once I decided to have a looksie to see which factors influence it: we know nothing*

*We do know that if a woman has had a fast birth, she will have fast births subsequently.

I have been told for this pregnancy I must call *immediately* to the midwives. No waiting to check contractions or anything else. The moment I feel something I must call them. Or else they may not get to my house on time 🙃

(2/2) #Birthing #MomStuff

I ended up not being allowed to deliver how I felt comfortable (bent over a table) but laying down in bed as the bloody foetal monitor did not work well otherwise 😒

I regret not using the side lying position I was taught during childbirth preparation classes. But it was all happening quite fast and I had already tried a couple of other things suggested by midwives in an attempt to see if the monitor thing would work better.

(4/4) #Birthing #MomStuff

One thing I liked about my childbirth preparation classes is that we were shown a variety of positions, practiced them, and were explicitly told: you should know and ideally practice all of them, because you never know what will feel right in the moment. It will help knowing what your options are.

#Birthing #MomStuff

Though some of the language leaves me quite cold: "So no clinical studies have examined how these interventions actually affect the birthing body in real time. We don’t know if they work as intended, or if they could be refined to improve safety."

Stuff like positioning. Like I'd love to know what works best, theoretically. I'll make sure to practice it. But in the moment, you'll go for what feels best.

#Birthing #MomStuff