Mel
The Birth of Rosie Grace
Estimated due date 3rd of January 2025
Born on the 3rd of January 2025
Time: 3:12 am
Weight: 3.53 kg (7.78 pound)
Length: 51 cm
Head circumference: 34.5 cm
"Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything." – William MacNeile Dixon
Mel and Jack are such a warm and lovely couple, with love and happiness radiating effortlessly from them. Already proud parents to their two charming little boys, Ollie and Louis, they are now preparing to welcome their third baby—and their firstborn in Australia. This time, they are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a baby girl, ready to welcome her into their beautiful family.
Mel embraces every bit of knowledge and wisdom she can gather about pregnancy, labour, and birth. In truth, there’s little she doesn’t already know, having done extensive research over the years. From exploring websites, reading, and listening to podcasts, to incorporating techniques like Spinning Babies and participating in She Births classes, Mel has become a well-informed and savvy birthing goddess.
Mel also has a history of relatively short labours, so while we know there’s no magic formula to predict how labour and birth will unfold, it feels like her body is wonderfully efficient when it comes to birthing. For her third baby, Mel’s heartfelt wish is to experience physiological labour and birth, and she’s also hoping to welcome her little one into the world with a water birth.
Mel has chosen a private obstetrician for her model of care, and her pregnancy has been going smoothly. The only concern raised to date has been a marginal cord insertion—where the umbilical cord attaches to the edge of the placenta rather than the centre. This requires closer monitoring to ensure healthy blood flow to the baby, but thankfully, everything has gone smoothly, and no interventions to bring on labour early were needed in the end.
Another consideration for this birth is Mel’s coccyx, which was broken during the labour of her second baby. We are hopeful that it will remain intact this time, allowing her to labour and birth without that added challenge.
Mel's second labour journey began at 38 weeks, and it’s clear this little one has her own timeline, as Christmas came and went without any signs of rushing things. I’ve always had a hunch she’d arrive on her due date, the 3rd, as it's not only my lucky number but also Jack’s. On 2 January, Mel had her second acupuncture session to stimulate her body for labour, followed by a stretch and sweep with her obstetrician.
Since they live out of town, they’ve been staying at an Airbnb in Launceston for the past few days, ensuring they’re close to the hospital as they hadn’t planned for a home birth. They have been staying together in Launceston, surrounded by Jack’s parents, his sister, who all flew in from overseas on Christmas Day, and their children, Ollie and Louis, creating a lively atmosphere. But on 1 January, they decided it was time for a change of pace. Mel and Jack opted for a quieter, more peaceful environment, just the two of them, hoping that the calm would help Mel settle into labour while knowing their children are being lovingly cared for by their grandparents and auntie.
It’s a perfect balance of planning and trust—surrounded by a network of support while allowing space for the birth to unfold in its own time.
After the stretch and sweep we all were waiting to see what mother nature had in plan from here. Mel was feeling some cramping, but as the evening settled in they had all stopped.
3rd of January Birth Day
“In birth, you are a warrior, a goddess, and a mother. You are everything you need to be in that moment.” – Unknown
At 2:00 am, I received a text message from Jack, which I didn’t see until after their baby was born. Thankfully, he followed up with a phone call, which I did hear. Mel had woken up at 1:20 am, saying, “Ouch, I’m in labour,” and things started progressing quite quickly from there. By the time Jack called me at 2:11 am to say Mel was in labour and coping really well, we were planning to meet at the hospital soon. Then, just as he was speaking, Mel had another contraction and softly called it: “I think we need to go to the hospital now”. It is decided very quickly that we are all going to make our way to birth suite.
I absolutely love the intuition and instincts of birthing women – they are the true experts of their bodies, and we take our lead from them. As soon as I heard Mel call it, I jumped out of bed and began getting myself organised to leave. I trust my own instincts and intuition as well, and something told me this labour wasn’t going to take long at all.
The most important thing is to remember that your body was made for this moment. You are strong, you are capable, and you are ready.” – Unknown
At 2:30 am, I joined Mel and Jack in the birth suite. Mel was leaning over the bed, her TENS machine providing some relief, while Jack stood close by, calm and ready to support her in whatever way she needed. Right now, she was finding comfort as he pressed acupressure points on her back to help ease the pain.
Watching her, I felt a quiet sense of certainty in her. It was as if she knew her baby wasn’t far away. A funny moment when I offered Mel’s birth map to our midwife, she smiled and informed me that this would be the third copy she had been given this morning. Nothing like being super prepared. I quietly put my copy away.
As I hurried about setting up the diffuser and setting up my labour play list, I hoped to add a layer of calm to the already serene room. The space was dark, illuminated by twinkling fairy lights, which created a cocoon of warmth and comfort. The bath in the corner was ready, filled and waiting for the moment Mel decided it was time to immerse herself in its soothing waters.
The midwife looking after Mel tonight brought a wonderful energy into the room. Her relaxed, happy presence was a perfect match for the atmosphere we were nurturing. You could tell by the way she moved and spoke that she had absolute trust in a woman’s innate ability to birth her baby her way. Soon, we’d be joined by Mel’s obstetrician, completing the birth support team.
At 2:50 am, As the next surge rolled in, Mel accidentally pressed the off button on the TENS machine. I quickly turned it back on for her as she light heartedly shared her frustration with it. This leads our birthing goddess to make the call—Mel decides it’s time to get into the bath. Her sensations are growing stronger, and the pressure is building. I feel so proud watching her trust her instincts and do exactly what her body is asking of her.
We make it to the bath just in time before another powerful contraction takes hold. Mel leans over the edge of the tub, concentrating deeply on her breath, while Jack stays close, pressing the acupressure points that bring her relief.
Her face shows determination and focus; she’s completely in her zone, breathing through each surge. Every breath carries her closer to meeting her baby.
"The strength of a husband during labour lies not in words but in his unwavering presence, the quiet devotion of holding her heart and hand through each moment of her journey." — Unknown
At 3:01 am, We help Mel into the bath, and I watch as a wave of relief washes over her face. The water cradles her, providing a safe and nurturing space—nature’s very own epidural. She removes her earbuds, deciding the bath might not be the best place for them, but thankfully, she likes my songs, and they continue to fill the room with calm. I pass Mel my birth comb to hold in her hand.
It isn’t long, though, before the intense pressure and surges return, bringing Mel to her hands and knees. She quickly asks for the gas, her labour instincts guiding her. Jack is right there, leaning over the bath, gently rubbing her back and pressing into the acupressure points she finds most comforting.
Together, we hold a calm and steady space for Mel as she sings her labour song, her voice carrying the raw power of birth. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking, I hope their Obstetrician arrives soon.
"They are not kidding when they say that mothers are strong women. We need to be strong in more ways than our children will ever know." – M.B. Antevasin
As Mel takes the opportunity to shut her eyes and collect her breath during the brief reprieve that mother nature allows, her obstetrician arrives. Her calm and relaxed presence is always reassuring. She observes Mel through the next few contractions, then softly shares, "You're doing so well; I'll just wait outside until I'm needed." Inwardly, I smile, thinking, I don’t think you will be outside for long.
Mel, deep in her labouring rhythm, has her hands covering her eyes through each wave of sensation. Her focus is unshakable, her strength pushing her through. As the contractions build, I gently anoint essential oils onto Mel's temples. I whisper softly to her, affirming how beautifully she's working through each moment.
Jack remains steadfast by her side, pressing the acupressure point on her back, splashing warm water onto her back also, with unwavering dedication. This little girl is on her way. Their obstetrician is called back in at about 3:05 am.
3:10 am, the gas is dropped to the floor, and now, in these next moments, Mel will do her hardest work. We can hear her body is ready to bring this little girl into the world. It’s intense—the sounds of a raw and dedicated woman, listening to her body. Jack, dedicated to his beautiful wife, continues to press the acupressure point on her back, while Mel bites her hand. I simply place my hand on her arm, offering my presence, knowing no words are needed. Mel takes a breath to say, "My waters are breaking."
3:11 am, Mel goes quiet for a moment, resting her hand on her head. As the midwife prepares to listen to the baby, Mel quietly asks her not to. Then, with all the power of her body, she’s back at work. Within seconds her baby’s head is born. Mel slows her breathing as their obstetrician guides her through what’s happening, asking her to keep her bottom in the water and calmly reassuring her, "You're doing such a beautiful job." She shares that the baby is nearly out.
3:12 am, Their Obstetrician greets their baby with a “hello “sharing that her cheeky little hand tucked near her shoulder. As Mel’s body pushes her baby into the world, the obstetrician helps guide her, and her laughter fills the room. The room lights up with smiles and joy as their beautiful baby, with lots of dark hair, Mel reaches down to bring her beautiful baby up onto her chest. She lets out a healthy little cry, then stops as she calmy rests in her mummy’s arms.
"Oh, she is beautiful," Mel exclaims, as Jack reaches down to hug his amazing wife. It’s such an emotional moment— a miracle. To witness the power, the strength, the trust, and then the debut of a beautiful baby, brand new to the world.
The miracle of birth is not just the arrival of a new life, but the moment when a mother discovers the limitless depths of her own strength and love." — Unknown
Mel, in Jack’s words, "You were amazing." You achieved everything your heart desired for your birth, and, best of all, no broken coccyx! A healthy placenta followed shortly after, with no excessive bleeding, and only a graze with a first-degree tear that required no stitching. This allowed you all to enjoy undisturbed skin-to-skin cuddles, basking in the pure joy your darling little girl has brought into your world.
Thank you, Mel and Jack, for trusting me to be part of this sacred journey with you. It has been a beautiful time getting to know you both and meeting your two gorgeous boys. I knew in my heart that your birth would unfold perfectly for you. May this new chapter as a family of five be filled with all the joy and adventures children so generously gift us. The best part of memories is making them, and I am deeply honoured to have been part of the happy memories of the day Rosie Grace made her grand debut.
Love Krista xx