Sallys Second Empowering (Fast!) Birth

Birth Story of Ezekiel 

Get inspired by the beautiful and powerful birth story of baby Ezekiel! In just over two hours, this mom journeyed through active labor and welcomed her son naturally, thanks to her commitment to hypnobirthing techniques and self-advocacy. Starting with a fast, intense onset of contractions after a busy day, she managed each moment with breathing, a TENS machine, and her favorite hypnobirthing track. She arrived at the hospital in full control, using upright positions to manage labor and trusting her body to guide her—even as it surprised her with an urge to push at just 6 cm! Within minutes, her baby boy was born, healthy and perfect, right before her family’s arrival. Read the full story below to see how she stayed centred and empowered, embracing the natural rhythms of birth.

Up until this point I declined multiple stretch and sweep offers and declined booking an induction. I did advise my team (OB and private midwife) of these things from the start of the pregnancy but they were still offered, but I’m glad I could advocate for myself. 

I was losing my mucus plug for 2 days prior but there was no blood present and it was not discoloured so I didn’t realise this at the time. 

At 40 weeks and 4 days I went walking around a shopping Center for 5 hours, I came home and pumped colostrum, rubbed clary sage oil on my belly, wrists and neck and then sat on my ball rolling my hips. I felt nothing! Around 5pm I went to pick up my daughter from daycare and in the car on the way home, at 5:19pm contractions started. I had no early labour, straight into active labour. 

Labour started hard and fast with contractions lasting 40 seconds and 4 mins apart. As soon as I got home my body cleared itself on the toilet as I have heard happens in spontaneous labours! 

5:45pm I called my midwife as I knew I had to leave as soon as possible. My husband arrived home not long after. By this time contractions were 1 min long and about 3 minutes apart and I had to breathe through them. 

6pm I was ready to leave the house - the car was already packed but my daughter was soooo upset with things happening so quick as she hadn’t been home from daycare for long. So I gave her some cuddles and attention for as long as I could. 

6:15 we finally left home and had a 45 minute drive to the hospital. I already had the tens machine on which I was so thankful for. And I listened to the lotus flower hypnobirthing track on repeat. During the contractions I also focused on keeping my face and body relaxed and not tense. 

6:35 I went from breathing through contractions to primal groaning. I was still managing them well and was enjoying the process! 

7pm I arrived at hospital and by this time I was feeling pressure in my pelvis during contractions, they were a minute or so long and were 2 minutes apart. 

7:13pm in birth suite and my OB was called. I jumped up on the bed on my knees with my arms up on the back of the bed swaying through the contractions as my birth pool was only about a quarter full. 

7:34pm I wanted my cervix checked (personal preference) and I was 6cms and OB was called again but she was already on her way. 

At this point It was so intense, my pool for my water birth was still filling up and not yet safe to go in. After being told I was 6cms I wanted to go in shower and use gas and air, so the tens came off but all of a sudden I got an insane amount of pressure that did not go away between contractions and I couldn’t move from the bed. I could already feel my body begin to push. By the time this pushing became very strong I told my midwife as I was worried it might not be okay as I was only 6cms. She assured me my body knew what it was doing and that my cervix was that thin I probably was 10cms now! This gave me the trust in my body to go with it. 

7:38pm my waters broke and my baby’s head came right down the birth canal and partially out. My midwife told me to do slow breathing as to prevent tears, reduce shock (among other reasons). I tried to slow it down but my body was pushing and my baby’s head was birthed at 7:39. 
7:40pm The very next contraction my baby’s body was born and my husband announced we had a boy 🩵 

My Mum walked in at 7:43pm and could not believe I had already given birth to him, and my OB arrived around 7:45/7:50pm. 

8ish I birthed the placenta without any drugs which is what I wanted, but I asked for help (asked them to slightly pull while I pushed) as I was so sore in the pelvis. 

We did delayed cord clamping and I breast fed on and off for about 4 hours, but had him on my for over an hour before he was weighed or checked over. 

I had 2 small grazes (grade 1 tears) that were left to heal on their own and I recovered very quickly. 
I loved this birth and owe it to Kathryn’s hypnobirthing course, and educating myself! 

​
2 hr 21 min labour 
Baby boy - Ezekiel 


🗓 16-5-24
⏰ 7:40pm
⚖️ 6.9lbs/3.16kg 
📏 51cm’s 
🤰🏻 40weeks 4 days gestation