THE LONG AWAITED BIRTH OF DENNIS JAMES BEALE - NOV. 30TH 2005

Just got back from holiday for 3 weeks to GAO, when we had decided to move there as we had been trying for a baby and given up. The only thing that would have changed our minds would have been to become pregnant. Ten days after landing, as we kept a record of everything due to trying for so long, we find out we are at least 3 days late ( yippee at long last ). Still clear in my head I wanted a change of life style I began to look up on the internet for birthing hospitals in GOA. I was aware of the high percentage of caesarian sections and did not want to be one of these statistics as I'm petrified of needles and would not like an epidural in the spine, my worst fear.

Naive as we were, my husband and I thinking that we would be the only Europeans to give birth in a foreign country, we looked on the internet and found Birthing Center Assagao. My husband and I sat for 2 + ½ hours in tears reading the lovely peaceful stories of the Birthing Center and the water birth’s. Making our decision there and then the house went up for sale and we continued with our plans.

Landing in GOA in Sept 2005 went to hospital in Panjim for ultra sound and check up to be told at 29 weeks my placenta was low and would be in need 11 weeks from that day for a caesarian, my worst fear. That following week we met with the guardian angel herself CORINNA STAHLHOFEN at the Birthing Center. I there showed her all my paper work from the UK and Panjim and we decide that even though I was frightened of pain that this was the ideal place for Dennis to be born, already aware that he was a boy.

The Birthing Center its self relaxed us both the minute we walked in there, it’s not only immaculately clean but peaceful and calming and smells wonderful. The pool its self which domineers the room as a center peace is fantastic and after talking to Corinna and seeing her confidence in me and all women I was well and truly giving birth there. We had our regular check ups and at 34 weeks had a ultra sound to find out the placenta had grown with the womb and was no longer in the way and would not be a problem.

I then started all the exercise lessons with other pregnant women which was fun and also support as your not alone, I found the visits I enjoyed best were with your partners as they learn how to massage you and all the breathing and ohm, that we need to help us through the Marathon (as Corinna called it and a Marathon it is).

I then started to see Corinna more the nearer I became to my date, which also gave me more confidence that I could do this. I loved every visit as I felt the energy in Corrina’s hands as she checked Dennis’s position and massaged him on every visit. I was very heavy and uncomfortable and only 3 weeks to my due date as I lay in bed the morning of my birthday 23rd Nov with a sudden urge to pack the hospital bag for me, Ian & Dennis. I rushed around after lying there for 2 hours and waiting for a suitable time to get up, as I did not want to disturb Ian to early. Four in the morning I’m ironing all the clothes and getting my birth plan ready and shopping list for Ian for nice energy food ready for the birth.
Later that morning Ian went of to get shopping, to my horror I went to the bath room to use the toilet and found blood clots in my under wear. I phoned for Ian to come quickly home as I did not want to be alone, I then phoned Corinna to tell her about the bleeding and some very mild contractions or what I though was contractions.
Straight away over the phone she calmed me down and explained that it was just my body preparing and for sure Dennis did not want to come just yet, that we should stay in touch all day and she would be over later that evening.

That evening everything was ok and it continued the same without the bleeding for some days more, Corinna even game me an enema to see if a mild kick was to encourage him as we where not sure why we kept having small bits of blood but nothing then it all came to a halt. 29th Nov I had an appointment with Corinna for my regular antenatal and was very low due to all the excitement and how uncomfortable I was feeling due to the sheer size of me. We decide as I found it difficult to walk that we would make a cocktail of castor oil and fruit juice to see if one last kick would encourage Dennis to come, even though he was not due until his daddy’s birthday 16th Dec I felt I could not go on any longer.

We left the center with two more cocktails and went for breakfast at Mapsa before going home. Later that afternoon around two o clock I began to loose very large blood clots which worried me immensely. Phoned Corinna who told me to make my way to Mapsa hospital and would meet on the way (know I was scared). On the way the bleeding had slowed down so Corinna asked if I would like it better to meet at the center then go together, I jumped at the chance arriving at the center I felt calm straight away.

Corinna then gave me a look over to tell me I was having contraction at that moment and could I not feel it, I was over the moon no I could not feel it but I was glad it was there.
It was around three thirty in the afternoon and all my preparation had gone to waste as I had left it at home thinking I was going for a check up at Mapsa and I was now in full labor and not able to get my things. Corinna told me not to worry as she got her camera out and had plenty of fruit, drink and goodies in the fridge (what a star). I contacted Hilary who was to be present at the birth and she came over straight away with a supply and camera as well. I had also my bags of clothes in the car just in case of. Time was getting on know it was around 7 in the evening and Corinna was getting the bath ready and my contractions where getting nice and regular and also longer. We had lovely tea’s and beautiful music which I must get a copy of and waited for the arrival of Dennis around nine o clock in the evening I got into the bath, where I felt so relaxed I could have stayed there every thing felt so right after all the worry I knew this was the way.

Due to the amount of blood I was losing and also being in the bath a long time it was not good for me to be in there so we moved to the bed. In between contractions I was having little snoozes to build up my energy as I had know been up since two the following morning with no sleep and every one was tired it was know the 30th Nov and the head was already on the way down the canal and could feel it with my fingers but for some reason I would give 1st a good push then the other two would push with my face and not my pelvis. Leaving me with two puffed up eyes due to the strain. Corinna kept giving me encouragement that I needed then in the end when I knew the pain was not what I expected and was something I could deal with I then knew it was time to get Dennis out.
I gave it my best with push after push and changed from my back to the side like Corinna had said which encouraged it a bit more and got on with it inside my mind. I then went back on my back for the last few final pushes Corinna still there for every contraction and push still encouraging me and never giving up Ian and Hilary to they then got the mirror to show me that with the 1st push you could see the top of Dennis head then it would go back in slightly that was it then I knew he was really coming and pushed with all my heart I could feel stinging where the head was coming and thought I was going to rip Corinna then told me to pant, she removed the cord from around the neck and I needed to push again I watched through the mirror as the shoulders came out then he slivered out and it was all over in that instant no more pressure and certainly no pain. Ian then cut the cord which was what we wanted with a photo to remind us.
With one last contraction the placenta removed its self. Corinna placed Dennis to my chest straight away he was peaceful the only groan we had was when she first cleaned his mouth as he had a lot of stuff inside, my god its truly a miracle. We arrived there as 2 and on the 30th Nov at 11.10 we where 3 and what a beautiful 3rd person to the family he is PERFECT. Straight away Corinna tried to get Dennis to take the breast but he would not so she washed him and weighed him prepared us some foods and checked me over, I had a tiny little rip nothing big enough for stitches though, which was really good. I showered we ate then a few hours later I was in my own home relaxing, watching over my son and feeling the bond and love starting to grow so strong already. Later that evening Corinna came to call to make sure all was good but baby Dennis still was not taking food. Corinna not only came once but three times a day for the next 2 days to make sure baby Dennis ate, eventually with Corinna’s help and support Dennis began to eat so no need for the sugar water. Corinna does more than her job description, not only delivers your baby but look’s after you as a family unit and shows you love, support and strength for each member of that family. I can not wait for the next baby and my only wish is that it’s born with Corinna at the center.

CORINNA you are an angel sent from god, and it’s truly a miracle what happens at the Birthing Center and I have one of the angels born there.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU'RE FAMILY!