Every precious baby has their own story about entering this world. This blog is about my journey to becoming a mother to Matilda. I have so much admiration for the healing and therapeutic powers of essential oils, they have been incredible for supporting me through my pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery. Armed with the right mix of oils to help me emotionally, physically, and mentally, this is my story.
As I walked into the delivery suite, I had a wave of memories return, this is where I had given birth to Maisie less that 2 years ago. The memories of holding our new baby for the first time had given me a new wave of excitement. Amanda sat down for a chat with us before I was hooked up to the syntocinon drip. She wasn’t there to judge me on opting for an induction, she was there to empower me and safely deliver our baby. I felt relaxed and settled as the diffuser was plugged in, Lavender and Frankincense were added. The subtle aroma filled the room. My drip was started.
I got myself comfortable on an exercise ball and 5 short minutes later, waves of contractions started intensifying. As my labour quickly progressed, I knew after each surge was a time to rest. I knew my body was perfectly designed and created to give birth. I self-administered a couple of drops of Copaiba under my tongue for pain relief. Amanda took charge and got me a face washer, she added Lavender and Copaiba. I inhaled this goodness between contractions, I was able to rest before the next serge. I was able to relax. I gave thanks for my body and its ability to conceive this child. I gave thanks for being able to carry and nurture this baby. My heart was full of gratitude for each contraction, I felt empowered, I felt blessed.
I trusted the team onboard, my midwives, husband and doctor not far away. I was able to sit on an exercise ball but sometimes it was more comfortable to stand. As I worked through each contraction, I could feel baby lower in my pelvis. I took a trip to the bathroom and as I walked (waddled) back, I knew I wasn’t far away from the transitioning stage. I came back to the delivery suite and climbed onto the bed for the first time. My contractions were coming hard and fast, and I started to lose control of the focus I had. It had only been 90 minutes, but my midwife declared that I was fully dilated. The doctor was called.
I tried pushing but nothing was happening. Everyone was ready down the business end for the baby. I kept thinking, baby is almost here, keep going! I had expected it to just pop out, as everyone had assured me that the second baby comes quickly and easily. I pulled my monitors off, and everything seemed to irritate me. I was tired, and I was hot. Back to back contractions consumed me. The just baby wasn’t in the optimal position to be born. It felt like hours… I was breathing in gas and air, but this didn’t provide much relief. I eventually gave in and begged for an epidural.
My doctor was also an anaesthetist, so he organised an epidural quick smart. I was most grateful. The diffuser was still puffing away in the corner, but the essential oils were the furthest thing on my mind. I was so grateful they were giving me an epidural at this late stage of labour. I was so grateful Amanda, she was such a calming influence.
As the epidural started working, I rested. The relief was welcomed. There wasn’t much chat, just rest. I could feel the baby moving into the right position, I could feel the pressure in the right places. I spent a short time in meditation and then let Amanda know the baby wasn’t far away. The doctor was called again.
Leave A Reply