Hadyn Kieran McDonald

Congratulations Caroline on the birth of Hadyn Kieran McDonald.

My contractions started 1am Saturday 31st July and what followed was 2 days of pacing around and 2 long walks - all in the hope of getting jnr to hurry up and arrive! I used my Yoga from the start - Golden thread breath particularly, as well as lots of squats, figure of eight & side to side hips, and even started doing the camel and elephant walks round, and round, and round the garden! The nights were pretty grim as I couldn't really lie down - and so watched episodes of the IT Crowd on I-player all night instead!

By Sunday my back - which is where I felt the majority of the contractions - was doing me in......and I strapped on the TENS machine....which was fabulous and seriously saved my sanity! Kieran had also learnt the massage techniques from 'The Gentle Birth Method' and administered them pretty constantly as the contractions picked up.

I then started humming! I think we only did the 'Humming Bee' breath once - but I remember thinking 'I love this....I can see myself using it'!......and I did, it helped me extend every out breath and helped me block out the sensations of each surge.

Things finally got going Sunday night and we went to James Paget Hosp at 3am Monday (which was a bonus as there was no-one about to see me humming in my PJs and dressing gown!!!). I then spent the rest of the day with Kieran, doing a fine job massaging my back, and me leaning on the window sill, humming, and moving my hips figure of eight, side to side and back and forth (oh and I had the TENs on max!). I was amazed how these simple things were enough to easily counter any pain. I felt calm and apparently one of the midwifes asked Kirean if I was always this controlled?! (No I had just been well trained in Yoga!!)
As things went up a gear I found myself on the other side of the room to the window and I started leaning on Kieran. I remember you reading about a waterbirth where the couple danced through each surge....and thats exactly what K and I did for hours, as he massaged my back. I started to use LOVELY gas and air.....and then Kieran and I finally got into the lagoon bath for the last 3 hrs. I wasn't convinced if the water would be enough to replace the relief given by the TENS machine....but it was and suddenly as I got in to the pool my back ache stopped. I used gas and air for each surge which were coming thick and fast. The midwifes just let things happen and then gave brilliant guidence just as I needed it - so I knew exactly what I needed to do - Bizzarely I actually didn't feel scared....I felt joyful!! I never thought that possible, but I did! (good stuff that gas and air!!!) The baby finally crowned at 6.20 and I felt a little fuzzy head, then at 6.30pm exactly Hadyn entered the world weighing 9lbs! The water birth experience was truly magical and I can't imagine doing it any other way!

He's absolutely perfect except for a little tongue-tie, which he's got an op for on Thursday, but consequently he found latching on for breast feeding tricky so we had to express and syringe feed for the first day and due to both of us being utterly exhausted after the Looooong labour we were kept in 3 extra days at hosp. I have to say everyone at James Paget were great and were not in any hurry to release us until we were both well enough.

But we are now home and Hadyn is florishing and feeding well.......well ALL THE TIME actually!!!! I bearly get to leave the sofa!!!

He's absolutely fabulous and Kieran and I are loving every minute of it....yes even getting excited at the multicoloured nappies!


I also want to thank you for all that the yoga sessions have taught me. I went into labour fully prepared and was lucky enough to have the birth we had hoped for as a result. The yoga techniques enabled me to keep calm and to cope with everything and I would never have thought of having a water birth before coming to the sessions. I loved coming to the classes - they were a god send and I always felt so relaxed and contented afterwards. I also met some great people who I hope I will be able to meet up with soon - when we finally get our acts together! I also learnt lots from the conversations we all had over biscuits!
I am still doing yoga at home to try and destiffen myself and to help me sleep. I also listen to the 'Grace' CD which is like the sound track to my pregnancy. I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant, but being Hadyn's mum is just so much more magical than i could ever have imagined! - so thank you for everything.

Caroline, Kieran and Hadyn xxxxxx