Nighean's Birth Story

I knew right from the off that Marcia was the doula for us. A friend suggested that we look into having a doula - being one herself but feeling it was inappropriate for her to help us - as I was constantly asking loads of questions and shying away from the traditional hospital route. We found Marcia on the doula website and as soon as I saw her, I knew she would be great. I was right. She was practical, matter-of-fact and kind. She had the kind of no-nonsense attitude I needed to get me through not only the birth, but deal with all my questions day and night.

Chris and I agreed that we needed a doula if we were to have Scarlet at home because being first-timers, we weren't sure what was going to happen and when. We liked the home-birth team of mid-wives but were concerned that we wouldn't get one that we actually knew, on the day. Cue Marcia. She was there to hand out advice via the phone, and came round and saw us a few times too...by the time the day of the birth arrived, I knew Marcia would be amazing.

It was about 9 at night on Friday 6th July when things started happening, nothing too serious, but enough to make me start organising my linen and getting towels out ready. I didn't really do the nesting thing that much, but I felt like I was that night! Around 11pm I called Marcia for some reassurance, which she gave, telling me to try to get some sleep and call her again if I needed to. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't sit still, I couldn't watch a film or eat. The only thing I could do was pace and laugh. By about 2am, I was getting quite long and strong contractions so we called Marcia again. This time she came round and that's where she stayed until the baby arrived.

While I couldn't sleep, Chris and Marcia decided to tag team. Although of course, Chris pretty much slept when he wanted! Saturday was taken up with watching cooking programmes, cups of tea, breakfast for the troops and the Wimbledon Ladies Final! I couldn't relax and I couldn't eat, but at least I was at home and in good company. By mid-afternoon, Chris rigged me up to the TENS machine ... the contractions were making me stop in my tracks and hold onto the banister. I was being quite sick at this stage and we still weren't sure if my waters had broken so we called the midwife. All the time Marcia was keeping us calm and focussed.

By about 5pm the midwife had arrived and examined me. I was only 3cm dilated. Plus my waters definitely hadn't broken. Gutted. I couldn't believe it. Marcia took me aside and gave me a pep talk. She said that if I wanted things to start moving I'd better stop chatting and focus on what was happening ... start talking to the baby, tell her it was time to come out.

We got to about midnight and still nothing had happened. I was exhausted and fed up. Chris was sleeping and I wanted to punch him for not being up with me. I'd had enough. Marcia kept me sane and as upbeat as possible. Instead of letting me focus negatively on the situation, she took me out of my misery and told me I could and would do this. We ran a bath and looked at the options: I was convinced it was time to throw in the towel and go to hospital ... I just couldn't handle the pain anymore, I needed pain relief and lots of it. Marcia was having none of it: we'd come this far, there was no way we were going to hospital, not yet. Then I remembered my birthing plan: gas and air.

The rest, as they say, is history.

It happened so fast after they rigged up the canisters: I sat in our hall landing, happy that finally I was relaxed enough to go with it. 30 minutes in, my waters broke. That's when it all came together and when I honestly thought I couldn't do it! Marcia told me in no uncertain terms, that I was going to do it and I'd be fine. I knew she was right so I pushed for dear life.

Two hours after I started on the gas and air, Scarlet Nell was born. She arrived at 5.16 on Sunday morning, 8th July.

Marcia put in a bath, wrapped me in my dressing gown and helped me into bed while - what seemed like - simultaneously taking photos of Scarlet, helping Chris and midwives and clearing up. How did she do it? I still don't know but I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had her there. She helped me with the first bit of breastfeeding and then left us to sleep. When we awoke later on that day, she was gone and the place was spotless.

Thanks to Marcia I had the most unbelievable, relatively easy, birth. I honestly don't think we would have had the courage to birth Scarlet at home and yet it was the best experience I could've wished for the entry of our daughter into the world. Marcia ensured that we kept our feet on the ground and when panic set in, she helped us immeasurably.

We hope to have more babies, and when we do, Marcia will definitely be the first person I call. Thanks to you Marcia, for all your wonderfulness. xx