Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6. I was 39 weeks pregnant and waddling in to the clinic for my check up. Everything was good.
Off I went to finish the last of the Christmas shopping. Then home to my 18-month-old Max. It was a typical day in our house: loading and unloading the washing machine too many times for my liking, ironing and cleaning. We were in bed by 10.30pm.
My waters break
11.01pm. Pop. I will never forget the sound of my waters breaking. There had been no heads up – nothing. Up I sprung and ran straight to the bathroom, you know, just to make sure.
I came out of the bathroom and gently gave Matt the nod. Of course, while I stood there, the rest of my waters decided to leak. I asked Matt to give my Mam a call. She was on stand by to look after Max.
It was a particularly horrible night, lashing rain and cold. I sat on the edge of our bed, after drying the floor, trying to decide what to wear and throwing some makeup into my hospital bag.
We don’t have time
11.20pm. Uh-oh I mutter. “Matt, we don’t have time. You may call an ambulance.”
I had made it downstairs to the bathroom just as Mam and Dad walked in. The little bathroom was no bigger than 4 foot by 4. I couldn’t have found a smaller space to labour in.
I was pushing. I’ll never forget my poor mam’s face: “Jess, love. You need to get off the toilet, you can’t have the baby in the toilet.”
Where I found the strength to hoist myself in one swoosh, up and down, I will never know. Dad was on the phone to the operator, frantically answering all her questions and relaying the information to mammy.
It was happening
What was the point in panicking? It was happening. One arm around the toilet, one arm up on the sink. Push.
It’s all a bit of a blur but I remember the operator telling my dad to get a shoe lace and safety pin. I opened my eyes in a rather “what the f**k do we need those for” kind of way. Her head was out, and we needed those to clamp the cord. My mum and I both looking at another for reassurance.
00.07pm. Baby Robyn entered the world. Screaming. Thank God. The relief.
I had managed to take off my top through all this so Mam could pop her up on my chest for skin to skin. I was freezing. The front door had been open the entire time, waiting on the paramedics.
The paramedics arrived shortly after, they couldn’t believe how calm it all was. Thankfully my mam wrapped us both up in blankets. We delivered the placenta there. Up I got, threw on a dressing gown and out I walked to the ambulance.
You can’t help but think “what if?” The nightmares and flashbacks. It’s only now really sinking in,
Jessica O’Neill is a 26-year-old mama to two under two. She’s currently on maternity leave and winging motherhood everyday.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Congratulations she’s a beautiful baby x
@Colette Kearns: Thank you so much! X
@Jess Ní Néill: great job Jess! Fair play to your Mam and Dad too!
@Deborah Behan: Thank you so much!
I’ve had 3 planned homebirths and my labors were speeding up from 14 hours on the first baby to 5 on the second. So, the midwife told me on the 3rd pregnancy to ring her immediately if I thought anything was stirring. It didn’t matter – he was born in 20 minutes! Anyway, something she said stuck in my mind and I’ll forever be grateful ‘cos it saved me from a lot of panic… “Babies only fly out if everything’s ok”!!! Our bodies know what to do really! Also, there’s no real rush to cut the cord once a baby is born. Just leave it & wait for the ambulance or other medical personnel.
Congrats on your bundle of joy!!! When the shock wears off, you’ll feel like superwoman!!!
@Celine McGowan: So true Celine! Very wise words from your midwife! Thank you!
That’s the danger with the second, I was told to expect a quick labour, it was about an hour, 55 minutes of that was spent sorting childcare for the first child. Just about made it into the porch of the hospital.
@Caroline Otoole: Induced on our first so we had no way of knowin, although thst was all done in an hour also! Lucky you made it on time! Well done you!
Gorgeous kid jessica. The cheeky smile is adorable.
@Jonny: Thank you so much! A very happy little girl.
Congratulations. My 1st born was born in hospital. Had an induction at 39 wks. Very quick labour. Less than 4 hrs. My second was born at home. 15 mins from start to finish. I live right beside a fire station and they got to my house just in time . I was told my next one would come even quicker and I’d have to be induced. Noooooo way no more lol. 3rd baby i insisted on getting induced. Docs didn’t want to but i was terrified. I was induced and told to go for a shower to ease back pain. Baby no 3 born in the bathroom . NEVER AGAIN
@Jennifer doyle: wonder where Baby number 4 will be born?
@Jennifer doyle: Thank you so much!Poor you! It’s a shock to the system when it happens like that!
It’s annoying when they don’t listen to you, isn’t it? I was told if we ever went again they would have to induce me.
@Jess Ní Néill: it sure is. You make sure you get an induction next time lol
CONGRATES , she is one of best things that will ever happen in your life,
@Elvis King: Thank you so much!
My second baby took just 14 hours – that was definitely quicker than my first labour of 61h 27m.
@Mark Johnson: Speak for yourself. I don’t go reading the motor and sports articles as they just don’t interest me. As a result I don’t go commenting / ranting on their content like I represent every reader. Try steering yourself to articles that are interesting to you personally and perhaps you can keep your outbursts and blood pressure under control.
Is there a point to this article?
Congratulations beautiful baby. Your family did a super job and if course you. Thankfully everything went well that’s the most important thing.
@Fiona Heneghan: Thank you so much!
More f*cu*king articles about babies. we don’t care.
@Mark Johnson: who are the ‘we’ you represent Mark?
have your say