 My birth story really began when I met Jo for the first time. I was twelve weeks pregnant
and had had a worrying start to my pregnancy. As well as having some scary early bleeding,
I had just been to my NHS booking appointment and was very disappointed to find out
that I could not be promised a home birth and would not know who my midwife would be. It
was important to me to build a relationship with the person delivering my baby which is
why meeting Jo was the turning point!
My husband Matt and I immediately felt relaxed and positive when talking to Jo about our
wishes for the birth, she had a certain manner about her that made me feel calm and able
to achieve the type of birth I really wanted.
The duration of my pregnancy was not without out complications and Jo was there for us
throughout everything, every nervous phone call or dreaded hospital visit. We had a strong
desire to have a natural home birth and felt that Jo would do her very best to make sure
that we did.
I went in to labour on my due date and Jo arrived at about lunchtime, in plenty of time.
Things were going great, my contractions were about 5 minutes apart but I was coping
really well. At about 5pm my Mum arrived and I got into my lovely warm pool and put on
my favourite movie and relaxed. It sounds strange but I really enjoyed being in my home,
knowing I wasn’t going to have to go anywhere and that I was in capable hands.
The contractions were getting stronger but all was going well, Jo massaged my back and
Matt was there to hold my hand. Things did slow down from here and I needed some gas
and air to help me through the contractions but I remained positive.
My baby wasn’t in the best position and seemed to have become a bit stuck! Jo was really
calm and confident and encouraged me to get out of the water and move around to help
bring things on a bit quicker. My waters still hadn’t broken and I was feeling quite tired so I
went for a lie down on my bed to relax and then pop! My waters had broken- it was really
happening!
Back in the pool, things were progressing but very slowly. I had discussed with Jo, Matt
and my Mum my wishes to have the baby in my own home, so when I got down and tired
my mini support team kept me going!
Daisy Mae was born at 12.34am on March 11th 2008 and she weighed 8lb 2oz. I had done
it! I was at home where I felt safe and happy and Jo tucked Me, Matt and our new baby girl in bed and promised to be back in the morning.
How wonderful to wake up in my own bed the next day! I remember sitting in the bath and
feeling so pleased that I had not been into hospital and had achieved a birth that would
probably been an assisted delivery in a hospital environment.
The next six weeks of post natal care from Jo was so valuable that I don’t know what I
would have done without her! She was fantastic, helping me through my many problems
with breastfeeding (I kept going purely through determination, my husband and her fantastic
support). Jo taught me how to care for my baby by guiding me as I made my own decisions and choices. She tucked us up in bed when we hadn’t slept all night, helped us get
ready for our first trip outside and showed us how to bath our baby!
Jo was more than a midwife for me, she was a friend I could talk to and laugh with and
share my hopes and fears for the birth, she was great with our dog Max (our other baby)
and dedicated so much time to looking after my whole family.
When Daisy was 6 weeks
old, Jo came to our house for her last visit and it was a tearful but happy one. Having
Daisy was truly a miracle and Jo was our angel! Thanks again Jo for all you did - and I
hope you will be there with us for the next one!
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