Delphine Lynn Roff, 14th March 2007

When I found out I was expecting our second child, I didn't hesitate to pick up the phone and call Lynn. She had been my midwife when I had my first baby, Elsie, in July 2004. My pregnancy progressed smoothly with no complications or excitements, a "text book pregnancy" Lynn always used to say.

However at about 28 weeks I was very conscious of feeling all the kicks low down and would say to myself "I hope that's little hands I can feel and not little feet". Knowing I still had plenty of time I didn't worry unduly.

My 20 week scan had shown a low lying placenta, so I was automatically referred for another scan at 34 weeks and as Elsie had been born at 36 weeks and had engaged by about 30, I was interested to find out whether this baby had engaged. The baby hadn't engaged, but we did get confirmation that it was head up. I left the hospital feeling mildly concerned, a bit fed up (no longer a text book pregnancy!), but the scan had told me what I knew deep down. I immediately phoned Lynn who offered a soothing voice and said she'd pop round the next day with some information and for a chat. As always she was full of vital information which provided me with a detailed and rounded basis from which to understand my situation and, if I wished, take steps to try and turn the baby. I always remember one of the first things she said was, "well, do you want to turn the baby?" Up until that point I had assumed that I had to turn the baby otherwise it was automatic Caesarean section, but that simple question from Lynn made me realise that I had options to explore and not rules to follow.

I knew the baby was comfortable where it was because it hadn't moved position for weeks, and deep down I knew that it was not going to turn. However, after reading the information that Lynn had given me and a further conversation with her I decided to visit the ECV clinic at the John Radcliffe Hospital. At this stage I was only going to talk to them, have another scan to confirm the breech presentation and just find out more about the procedure. Lynn came with me which was a massive comfort - a bit like having my mum with me! I ended up agreeing to them trying to turn the baby by manipulation. It was not a comfortable procedure but it was not painful either, and the baby was continually monitored so I was happy that it was not under any stress. It was no surprise to me that the baby didn't turn and Lynn and I left the hospital knowing that we were to prepare for a breech labour. I felt quite excited at the thought!

My husband James was very supportive and as long as Lynn and I were happy then he was happy. This really helped me focus on the job in hand and I didn't have to worry that he was worried. However the assumption from some friends and family was that I would have a Caesarean and when I said that I was going to give birth naturally their response was surprise and fear. The common belief, and NHS protocol, is that babies in the breech position should be born by Caesarean, and a natural or assisted labour poses great risks to mother and baby. As a general rule this simply is not true, and if it wasn't for Lynn I would have gone along with this false belief. I can honestly say that I was never nervous about the labour. What did make me nervous was the thought of having to go to hospital and have a Caesarean! If I had been under NHS care there would have been no choice but to go down that route.

I was mentally and practically prepared to labour from 36 weeks, however this little baby was hanging on in there. At 36 weeks I was convinced it was coming and had kittens when we had a big snowfall, however by 38 weeks I was losing my sense of humour; by 39 weeks I thought I was destined to be pregnant for the rest of my life, and by 40 weeks the nerves kicked in and I was worried that the breech presentation was a problem and delaying labour.

Lynn was a constant support and assured me that the baby would come when it was ready - breech or not. Whenever I felt really down I would send Lynn a quick email or text, or let out my frustrations at her regular visits. Unfailingly she made me feel better, stronger and rational again!

Finally at 41 weeks my waters broke, and I excitedly (yes, excitedly) phoned Lynn. She came straight over and was closely followed by Rosie, who was coming as backup. It was about 11pm and I was hoping that it would all be over in the night so that when Elsie woke the next morning she would have a new brother or sister. However things slowed right down and by 2am Lynn, Rosie, James and I had resorted to telling jokes and none of us are very good! At about 5am Lynn recommended that James and I get some rest so we went to bed and she and Rosie got some sleep too. My contractions really picked up at about 6am and I came downstairs to find Rosie pottering around in the kitchen. She made me a lovely cup of tea (just what I needed), and helped me with the TENS machine. At 8am my dad came to collect Elsie and as soon as she left my contractions went up a gear. I got into the pool but not for long as by about 9am I was pushing and Lynn was preparing the sitting room floor (due to the breech position Lynn wanted to monitor me closely). Thirty five minutes later our beautiful little baby girl was born. She needed some help to get breathing, but thanks to my prior in-depth conversations with Lynn I knew this was perfectly normal for a breech and did not panic at all.

There is no doubt that if I had been under NHS care Delphine would have been surgically removed before she was ready, and I would have been separated from my other daughter and husband for a week. Thanks to Lynn's unfailing support, her passion for women to labour where and how they choose, and her wealth of experience as a midwife, our little Delphine Lynn was born naturally in her own home. For that, we are eternally grateful to Lynn and she holds a very special place in our hearts.

Thank you Lynn! xxxx