Brittany Noschese, 29, from Maryland, wanted to experience a water birth in the comfort of her home, and even had a birthing tub set up in her bedroom – but her son, Nash, couldn’t wait any longer and came when Brittany least expected it.
The mother-of-four is hoping her story will help people others realize that they already have the power within themselves when it comes to giving birth.
‘Births do not always go as planned, however each one of them can be a positive and an empowered one. Each birth story is unique and sacred.’
During the early hours of the morning Brittany woke up with an urge to urinate followed by another urge less than 20 minutes later.
But the third time, there was blood and she immediately knew she was about to give birth.
She woke her husband Zane, 31, who rang their birth photographer, Doula and midwife, who didn’t answer.
She added: ‘I knew it was happening, and that I was going to meet my little one very soon.
‘My body was progressing pretty quick and I couldn’t find a comfortable position on the birthing ball.
‘The tub wasn’t full enough for me to get in just yet but my contractions had started.
‘I got on my fours: hands and knees for the remaining of the time, but I felt the urge pee so I went to sit on the toilet and felt a sudden huge pressure on the bottom of my belly.’
Brittany recalls feeling a ‘huge pop’ as her water released and she had no choice but to give birth on the toilet as the baby was coming.
‘I sat back down on the toilet and I slowly felt the baby making his way down in my body,’ she explained.
‘I did not push – my body did – as I told Zane “the head is coming!” I was comfortable on the toilet so decided to stay there.
Labouring on the toilet is both practical and comfortable. Many midwives encourage women to labour on the toilet because it’s a supported active birth position; it opens the hips and gravity can work to encourage your baby down, pressing on and dilating the cervix.
Mentally, there’s also many benefits to contracting on the toilet, including:
– The bathroom is a space that encourages hushed tones and privacy. If you feel like you need to escape people and conversations, head to the bathroom. And if you need to focus on a relaxing sound, turn the tap on. Running water is soothing.
– Your body instinctively regards the toilet as a place to “let go”. It’s where you actively and instinctively release pressure build up in your bladder and bowel. I don’t think it’s far-fetched to presume that this same mentality may help you in labour; sitting on the toilet encourages you to sink into the contraction, breathe with the pressure and eventually, bear down.
Did you labour on the toilet?
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