I hate being pregnant but love giving birth – I pushed my fifth’s shoulders and head out in one after three contractions
A MUM-OF-FIVE has revealed she gave birth to her youngest baby in her bedroom – and the head and body came out in one after three contractions.
Cheyenne Estridge birthed her first four children in hospital but opted to have her fifth at home without any medical help – a practice called freebirthing.
Most freebirthers go through their whole pregnancy and labour without any medical involvement.
Cheyenne pushed her daughter’s head and shoulders out in one, leaving husband Tiernan to “catch her” as she came out.
The “lover of birth” knew instinctively in the morning that it was “baby day” and spent time cleaning and watching a film before the quick labour.
She recalled: “I had a massive contraction that felt pushy and I had a momentary panic because I didn’t feel anywhere near that stage yet.
“At this point my husband points out, transition.
“After that contraction I decided to sit on the toilet again, and could feel the bulging waters – that’s why I was having so much pressure.
“While there I had to call my husband in to hold onto me because suddenly I had a huge contraction and felt like I couldn’t steady myself.
“My waters burst then.
“I came back into my room, and knelt by our bed to rest.
“It was one seriously long contraction where I pushed both head and body out, plus tons of water that hadn’t expelled yet all at once.”
Cheyenne praised her husband for being “the best birth support ever” after he sat with her until her placenta came and cleaned up the birthing mess.
The pair from Victoria, Aus believe that childbirth is “something that has become highly medicalized but shouldn’t be”.
Cheyenne had their four sons in hospital before her first freebirthing experience last year.
Cheyenne added: “People often assume because we have many kids, I love pregnancy and I have good pregnancies.
“I don’t. It’s ok to not enjoy pregnancy and still love the outcome.
“I’m a lover of birth though, I think it’s something that has become highly medicalized but shouldn’t be.
“My past births led me to the doorstep of freebirthing. It’s something I had considered for my fourth child, but never felt right.”
To help other women through the confusing time of pregnancy and childbirth, Cheyenne has become a doula.
This is a trained but non-medical birthing companion who assists a woman before, during and after childbirth.
Doula’s offer a range of support for pregnant women, such as advocating and being a ‘voice’ for the mother if she needs it.
In Cheyenne’s case, she assists both hospital and free births and believes that women can still have positive birthing experiences on the labour ward.
The NHS calls freebirthing an unassisted birth.
However, it recommends having a midwife with you if you choose to give birth at home.
Its website reads: “Talk to a midwife if you are worried about your care.
“They can discuss with you the role of the midwife and help you make an informed choice and personalise your care and support so it’s right for you.
“If you decide to have an unassisted birth, you can change your mind at any time during your pregnancy or labour.
“NHS midwives will always be available to support you.
“A midwife can offer you support and advice during labour, and check on the health of you and your baby.
“They’ll know if you or your baby need help, and can arrange for medical attention if needed.”
Freebirthers in the UK need to tell their GP or local maternity services as soon as the baby is born so someone can come out to confirm the arrival of the child.
This is because by law every birth in the UK needs to be recorded within 36 hours.