Ellery’s birth was fast, raw, and beautifully empowering

Traralgon
Ellery 8p4o
41 weeks and 2 days
Natural
February 12, 2025 — 5:40 AM

By the time I reached 41 weeks and 2 days, I was more than ready to meet our little girl. I’d gone overdue with both of my previous pregnancies. my first was an induction at 40+6 weeks, and my second at 42 weeks. So, naturally, I was prepared for another long wait.

With two toddlers at home and every natural labour trick under my belt – teas, walks, bouncing, acupressure, nothing seemed to work. I was physically worn out and emotionally done.

We had an induction scheduled for February 14th. A part of me felt some relief having a set plan, but I was still really hoping for a spontaneous labour this time. And just two days before that date, Ellery decided she was ready on her own terms.

At 3:00 AM on February 12th, I woke with what I thought were Braxton Hicks. But these felt stronger and more rhythmic. I started timing them, and by 4:00 AM, they were three minutes apart and lasting a minute. It was go time.

I woke Trae and jumped into the shower, trying to stay grounded while he made the calls to my sister-in-law to come watch the kids, to Nadine my support person/friend, and to the hospital. He stayed close when he could, applying pressure as I breathed and let the water carry me through each wave.

Around 4:40 AM, our 4-year-old daughter woke up. She walked into the room so calmly, watching and later rubbing my back and telling me how amazing I was doing, just like her dad had been while Trae was packing the car. It was such a grounding, sweet moment that reminded me how supported I truly was.

Once my sister-in-law arrived, we left for the hospital. I could already feel the pressure building and was following the urge to push. That six-minute drive felt both incredibly fast and intensely urgent. I was so grateful we had chosen to deliver locally this time, especially after my second labour lasted just one hour. It was the best decision we could’ve made.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:00 AM. I went straight to the shower, where the midwife brought in an exercise ball. I leaned over it on all fours, letting the hot water pour over my back. It gave me just enough support to rest between contractions and helped me stay centered.

Not long after, Nadine arrived. Calm and steady, she quietly offered everything I needed. sips of water, gentle reminders to come back to my affirmations, and holding the shower head on my lower back when things got intense. That gave Trae the space to move in front of me, where I could lean into him and draw on his strength.

At 5:40 AM, Ellery was born, in the shower, with no pain relief and 15 minutes of pushing. I had a first-degree tear, and 19 minutes later, I delivered the placenta physiologically, with no oxytocin.

I didn’t do a hypnobirthing refresher this time. my third pregnancy came so close to my second that I chose to trust what my body already knew. And I was right to trust it. My body knew. I was supported, surrounded, and strong.

Ellery’s birth was fast, raw, and beautifully empowering. She came in her own time just two days before her induction date. Her arrival was a perfect reminder that our bodies and our babies, often know exactly what to do, when we create space for them to do it.