Claire
The Birth of Alby
Born on the 24.1.2023
Weight 8.3lbs (3.756kg)
Length 55cm "
Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed – Linda Wooten
Claire and Aidan are such a beautiful couple, radiating love and happiness. They are brimming with excitement at the journey ahead as they prepare to welcome their first child.
Claire and Aidan have chosen to keep the baby's sex a surprise, eagerly awaiting the moment they’ll meet their little one.
I’ve known Claire since she was an adorable two-year-old with blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She and my daughter, Georgia, were in the same learn-to-swim class, and that’s where I first met Claire’s mum, Leanne. What began as casual chats by the pool blossomed into a truly special friendship, one that has only grown stronger over the years. So, when Claire and Aidan asked me to be their doula, my heart overflowed with joy — it’s hard to put into words just how honoured I felt.
Claire and Aidan were travelling the world when they discovered they were expecting their baby. Funny enough, even before Claire shared her wonderful news, her mum, her auntie Kim, and I all had the same feeling. We had seen a photo of Claire in Lake Como, and something about it sparked a shared intuition that she was pregnant. As it turns out, we were right.
When Claire and Aidan returned to Tasmania, they discovered that it was too late for Claire to secure the homebirth she had hoped for or a place in the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) program. These models of care are incredibly popular, and unless you book in early, it’s easy to miss out.
But it seems someone upstairs was looking out for Claire. After initially missing out on a spot at the birth centre, a vacancy unexpectedly became available, and Claire was chosen to fill it. It was the perfect outcome, and I couldn’t have been happier for her.
Claire, my radiant birthing goddess, positively glowed with happiness as she prepared for their little baby. She fully embraced the journey, immersing herself in every piece of information I shared with her and exploring anything else that resonated with her. She was determined to feel confident in her body and her ability to birth her baby—and it showed in every step she took.
Claire, Aidan, our midwife, and I made a fabulous team. Sharing the same beliefs about birth, we worked seamlessly together. As the 40-week mark approached, Claire was ready and excited to meet her baby.
Aidan, I can already see, is deeply invested in supporting Claire, and I know his love will shine through even stronger, offering the words and presence that will hold her heart through each moment of her labour and birth.
Now, we waited patiently for Mother Nature to give us her sign.
"Waiting to go into labour is like standing on the edge of something extraordinary—your heart racing with excitement, knowing that at any moment, the world will change forever."
They say patience is one of the first lessons our children teach us—even before they are born. And so, we all practised patience as the days turned into weeks. Forty-one weeks came and went, and then 42 weeks ticked by.
At 42 weeks, Claire had an ultrasound to ensure everything was well, and with reassurance that her baby was perfectly happy in there, she made the calm and confident decision to continue waiting for labour to unfold in its own perfect time.
And then came 43 weeks—still no sign of the baby. Finally, at 43 weeks and one day, Claire woke at 3 a.m., feeling the first gentle sensations, spaced around 10 to 15 minutes apart. It was time. Her journey was beginning, and she was ready to step into her power, placing her birthing goddess crown firmly on her head.
"Labour and birth are the ultimate acts of strength and surrender—a journey where every breath, every moment, brings you closer to holding the love of your life in your arms."
23rd of January 2023
At 9 am, Claire and Aidan headed to the Birth Centre for a check-up with their midwife, followed by brunch and a sunny coffee catch-up with me. Claire shared that her baby was in the right occiput anterior position, nice and low. She was feeling sensations every 10 minutes, mostly in her back. After our coffee, Claire planned to go for a walk and then rest at home. Though the sensations weren't lasting a full minute, they had some strength to them. It was an exciting time for all of us, as it felt like the moment was drawing near—soon, Claire and Aidan would be well on their way to meeting their baby.
At 2:30 pm, Aidan called with an update: Claire's sensations were intensifying and were now about 5 minutes apart. She was going to have a shower to see if that helped, and Aidan was preparing a heat pack and planning to try some double hip squeezes.
By 3:35 pm, Aidan updated me again to let me know they had made their way to the Birth Centre, and I could come join them whenever I was ready. Well, I've been looking forward to this time for weeks, so I’m definitely on my way!
At 4:12 pm, I arrived at the Birth Centre to join Claire and Aidan. They were in one of the beautiful bedrooms, and Claire was breathing so well through her contractions. She was on the bed with a pillow, managing her steady contractions, now coming every two minutes, each lasting about 45 seconds. Aidan was doing an incredible job supporting her, and even Claire was telling him, "You're a good doula!"
The room was set up with the diffuser gently releasing calming scents, and soft music played in the background. My labour oils, filled with essential oils, added a beautiful aroma that always smells so inviting. Together, we were creating a peaceful space for Claire, one where she could feel supported and at ease as she continued her labour.
4.48 pm Claire had been relying on the TENS machine, which had provided some relief for her back sensations, but as the waves of intensity grew, she felt drawn to the shower. Aidan, ever-present, had been holding Claire gently as she rested on the bed. Now, Aidan had the shower head in hand, his presence offering her a sense of calm, while his other hand rubbed her back as she continued to draw on her strength, breathing through the sensations that were steadily building in intensity.
We placed the birth ball in the bath, offering Claire the opportunity to lean on all fours, finding comfort in the water’s warmth. As the rhythm of labour deepened, I shed a few of my layers, positioning myself behind her to assist with double hip squeezes through each sensation. Every moment, we spoke to her with soft, reassuring words—gentle reminders to breathe through the waves.
The sensations are still consistently around every two minutes. I could feel the shift in Claire’s energy as the pain hit new heights, Claire let out her first swear word. A sign of how deeply labour was asking her to reach within herself, to tap into strength she might not have known she had. There was no turning back. We were all in this together, and Claire was finding her power with every wave
At 5:28 pm, Claire decided to move from the bath back to the bedroom, where she positioned herself on the floor, on all fours. Aidan was unwavering by her side, always with one hand on her, providing constant support. Their midwife and I continued to hold space for Claire, supporting her emotionally and physically including rubbing her legs with essential oils to help her relax. Claire was staying well-hydrated, and we offered snacks when she felt like having them.
The pain in Claire’s back was becoming increasingly unbearable, and the decision to have their midwife administer the water injections felt like the right choice for her. Claire was also starting to feel pressure in her bottom, a sign that labour was hopefully progressing. Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction, and their midwife began setting up the birth pool, preparing for the next step in Claire’s journey.
At 6:20 pm, Claire stepped into the birth pool, and the warmth of the water instantly enveloped her, offering a deep sense of calm and grounding. Positioned by the window, the pool provided a beautiful view, transforming the room into a serene and sacred haven for labour. As the intensity of her journey grew, Claire—my birthing goddess—pressed on with unwavering determination. She didn’t complain, though, at one point, she smiled and said, "This birth thing is wild." Through it all, she breathed deeply into each sensation, channelling her focus and energy into every moment.
In the pool, Claire found her groove, moving with her body. She moved with purpose, also doing some lunges—three on each side—to create space for her baby if they needed it. Watching her as a first-time mum filled me with pride. Claire is handling her labour with remarkable focus and strength, though I wouldn't have expected anything less. I’ve always known her to be brave and resilient, and when faced with challenges, Claire meets them head-on, refusing to back down.
By 8:00 pm, Claire was out of the pool and back on all fours on the birth cub, feeling a lot of pressure in her bottom.
At 9:02 pm, she was in and out of the bath again before moving back onto the bed. The sensations were building, and Claire felt a strong urge to push. It felt like it wouldn’t be too much longer now.
By 9:20 pm, we were pumping up the tunes, ready to really get the party started! I could see it in Claire’s face—my strong, brave birthing goddess was working so hard to stay on top of everything she was feeling. It was tough, but she was doing a fabulous job, holding herself together with incredible strength and determination. Moment by moment, she gave it her all. I kept thinking to myself, "I am so proud of you, Claire."
Labour is a journey that asks everything of a woman—physically, emotionally, and mentally. And yet, in those moments, women like Claire show just how brave and resilient they are. Even when faced with the deepest intensity, they continue to move forward with unwavering strength. Watching Claire, I could see not just the effort, but the steady determination with which she faced each sensation. She embraced every challenge with resilience and confidence, a true embodiment of the power that lies within every woman during birth.
9:46 pm – Labour is full of unpredictable twists and turns, and even though we can't always anticipate them, we know things may not always go the way we are hoping they will. At this point, Claire’s sensations are close and strong, with pressure in her bottom, but the contractions are short—painful, and brief. Her baby has been happy all the way along and continues to be so, but it feels like the right moment for Claire to look at all her options moving forward. After a discussion, Claire feels she would like a vaginal exam to check and see what might be going on. The exam reveals that Claire is 8 cm dilated, but her little one is still quite high and has some swelling on their head.
We decided to try some spinning babies’ techniques to help create more space for the baby and hopefully, this will encourage the baby to have the room to move down.
24th of January
By 12:30 am, Claire makes the courageous decision to transfer to the LGH, as she would like an epidural. She has given everything she has, and it feels like the right time to take a different path to bring her baby into the world. While this wasn’t what she had originally hoped for, Claire’s strength and clarity shine through as she decides this is the way she wants to move forward. Her baby’s heart rate has mostly been normal, though there have been some higher readings, and a second examination shows no progress from the last examination, with her baby remaining in the same position as before.
We began packing up to make our way across the road to the LGH, emerging from the COVID era, where only two support people were allowed in the birth suite. Claire faced a difficult decision about who would accompany her and Aidan—would it be their midwife, or myself? It didn’t feel right to pressure Claire into choosing, so we decided to all present ourselves at the birth suite and take our chances.
The journey across was short but unhurried, as we paused often for Claire to work through her strong sensations. Once we arrived at the LGH, we grabbed a wheelchair to help Claire up to the birth suite. We rang the buzzer; they were expecting us, and the midwife greeted us warmly.
When Claire, Aidan, their midwife , and I arrived in the early hours of the morning, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the scene we presented. It was as though Mary and Joseph and two wise men had arrived at the inn, asking for a place so Mary could birth her baby. Claire, with her radiant blonde hair and serene presence, felt every bit the modern Mary. Beside her was Aidan, his golden-brown locks falling to his shoulders, a vision of calm strength, like Joseph himself. Their midwife and I, both with shoulder-length brown hair and similar builds, completed the image—two wise companions offering support and guidance, hoping we’d all be allowed in.
The midwife’s first comment, after her warm welcome, was a gentle reminder that we knew not everyone could be in the birth suite. Quickly, I spoke up, familiar with her no-nonsense humour, and said with a smile, “We’re really hoping you might make an exception for us.” She raised an eyebrow and replied dryly, “Okay, girlfriend, you can all come in, but make sure you all stay in the room.”
We were so grateful that Claire could have all of us with her—each of us an important part of her birth team. It would have been devastating to separate at such an intimate and significant moment.
1:52 am – We’ve settled into our room and set it up, creating a calm and welcoming space for Claire. The gas is proving to be a helpful tool as Claire works through her sensations. By 2:50 am, she has an epidural in place, and at last, she can get some well-earned relief.
By 3:00 am, a vaginal exam shows that her baby is still high, and Claire is still at 8 cm dilated. The baby’s head isn’t in a good position at all, so I try some acupressure on her little toe, while Claire is doing her best to stay in positions that will help, such as being on all fours or resting on her side.
At 4:40 am, Claire decides to have a little rest, and they also start a hormone drip to help strengthen her contractions. By 6:30 am, Claire is nearly fully dilated, with only a small bit of cervix left. Her baby has now turned to ROP (right occiput posterior).
By 7:42 am, the next examination brings positive news: Claire is now 10 cm dilated, and her baby has moved down to the mid-pelvis. Claire has stayed focused and positive throughout, with all of us supporting her every step of the way. The staff at the LGH have been exceptional, and Aidan has remained steadfast by her side, holding her hand and her heart. His unwavering presence provides Claire with comfort and strength when she needs it most.
Claire’s midwife is deeply respected, and throughout Claire’s care, both she and the team, including the head of obstetrics, have valued her insights and thoughtful contributions. After a calm and thoughtful discussion with Claire, the decision is made to turn off the epidural, allowing her to reconnect with her body and feel her sensations once again. They’ll reassess in an hour to determine the next steps.
Claire, calm and centred, sits on the bed, fully in tune with her body and the connection she shares with her baby. It has been such a long labour, and we are all feeling emotional and trying to stay focused and positive at the same time.
"Labour is a journey of unexpected twists, where the body and heart are tested with every contraction. It’s a rollercoaster of strength and vulnerability, fear and courage, each moment bringing a new challenge that calls forth a deeper resilience. And yet, with each wave, the path to meeting your baby becomes clearer, no matter how winding the road."
At 10:00 am, Claire moves onto all fours over the bed head. We’re all relieved that she’s been given the chance to see if she can birth her baby. Claire begins to push, trusting her body’s rhythm. But after a few pushes, the urge fades away. In this space, something shifts within her. After a few more pushes, Claire knows that her baby isn’t going to be born this way—that this path is no longer right. Claire’s instincts are telling her this little one isn’t coming out, and she asks for a caesarean before her baby becomes distressed.
Earlier, the head of obstetrics had spoken with Claire about the importance of having a plan B, especially if labour continued without any progress. Claire has listened to her body and her heart, and after more than 24 hours of labour, it’s clear—it’s time for a change.
I hug Claire and kiss her, tears in my eyes as I tell her I love her. She prepares to head to theatre with Aidan by her side. I stay behind, try and try stay calm and focused while I wait for their return. I am holding onto seeing the joy on their faces as they introduce me to their long-awaited baby. Even now, as I write this, tears spill down my face. This moment still feels raw, emotional, and so vivid. It’s time for Claire and Aidan to meet their baby—time for their world to change forever.
"Birth is not defined by the way your baby is born, but by the moment your heart meets theirs. A caesarean brings its own unique path to joy—the joy of hearing that first cry of holding your baby close, and of knowing that love has just been born."
The moment I see Claire’s face as they wheel her back into the room is etched in my memory. Nearly two years after Alby’s birth, I can still see it so clearly and feel it deeply in my heart—the softness of her face and her smile as she quietly introduces me to Alby, their precious baby boy. Our hearts were overflowing with love, and it’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.
"Giving birth doesn’t just bring a baby into the world—it brings a mother to life."
The love we feel when we meet our babies truly lasts a lifetime. Claire and Aidan’s sweet little baby is finally here. Their smiles, their happiness, and the love they share radiate outwards, touching us all. In these precious early hours, Claire and Aidan are soaking in the magic of becoming a family. Together, they marvel at Alby’s tiny fingers and toes, gaze into his wise and curious eyes, and savour every cuddle and moment of skin-to-skin with Alby.
Claire’s labour has been long, and though she must be physically tired, her eyes sparkle with love, and her smile is brighter than ever. She won’t be sleeping anytime soon—after waiting 43 weeks and 2 days, she’s finally holding her precious baby boy in her arms.
Sadly, as the day unfolds, it becomes clear that Alby is not the healthy baby we had all hoped and expected him to be. Claire and Aidan will face the unimaginable as they receive the devastating news that Alby was born with a rare and life-limiting condition and that their time with their new baby will be heartbreakingly short. The next months will bring challenges beyond anything we could have imagined—more difficult than any marathon birth.
Alby Dykman gained his angel wings on Monday 27th March 2023. He spent his last few weeks at home with Claire and Aidan, soaking up moments cuddled up on mum and dad’s chests, being read to, exploring the garden and meeting family and loved ones. In contrast to the way in which he entered the world when the time came to say goodbye, it was as peaceful as could be hoped for, lying cradled in mummy’s arms. Now, God will hold and care for him in heaven.
Though his time here was brief, Alby’s life touched so many hearts. He brought love in its purest, most vulnerable form—binding his family with strength, courage, and the deepest tenderness.
Alby’s spirit will forever be a part of them, a guiding star in the darkest nights.
He made Claire a mummy and Aidan a daddy. He reminds us of the delicate and precious nature of life. As Claire and Aidan move forward, they will carry him in their hearts, forever and always, until they meet again.
Thank you, Claire and Aidan, for inviting me to be part of your birth journey and your story—a story filled with love, strength, and immeasurable courage. While Alby’s time with you was heartbreakingly brief, his presence left an indelible mark on all who were blessed to know him.
It was a privilege to stand beside you as you welcomed your precious baby boy and to witness the depth of love and devotion you poured into every moment you shared with him. Alby’s life was filled with your unwavering care and boundless love.
I will always hold the memory of this journey close to my heart, and I honour Alby’s beautiful spirit, which will forever remain a part of your family and the hearts of those who love you. Thank you for allowing me to walk this path with you, through the joy and the heartbreak, as we remember and celebrate Alby’s life
Love always,
Krista xxxx
These Are My Footprints
Are my footprints, so perfect and small. These tiny footprints never touched the ground at all. Not one tiny footprint, for now, I have my wings. These tiny footprints were meant for other things. You will hear my tiny footprints, in the patter of the rain. Gentle drops like angels’ tears, of joy and not from pain. You will see my tiny footprints, in each butterfly’s lazy dance. I’ll let you know I’m with you if you give me just a chance. You will see my tiny footprints, in the rustle of the leaves. I will whisper names into the wind and call each one that grieves. Most of all, these tiny footprints, are found in mummy’s heart, because even though I’m gone now, we will never truly part.