BBA - Born Before Attendance ❤️
BBA stands for ‘Born Before Arrival (of help) or Attendance’.
What if your baby arrives before your midwife does?
It happens 😬
Not infrequently.
And it very rarely is a problem.
Babies are often born quickly because they can, perhaps they were in an optimal position, your body had done all the prep work, you were in a super chill state, all your birthing hormones worked to their absolutely best efficiency, who knows!
Very little you can do about it once it is happening.
So, if you feel your baby is coming FAST, do whatever makes you feel safest.
Call your midwife and/or call a ambulance if their presence would reassure you.
Calling the labour ward for guidance can be a LOT more helpful than staying on the phone with the ambulance service......birth is the labour ward’s JAM! And the ambulance service often tell people to get flat on their back and tie cords with a shoelace 🙄....in an emergency, the ambulance service can be helpful though.
Once you have summoned help if that is what you want, get into a safe space. By that, I mean a space where the baby can emerge safely, and you or a helper can receive the baby easily, perhaps the floor, a sofa, a bed, the pool, whatever feels good and right. If you are going to birth the baby while standing or on a hard surface, put padding down (and also be ready to catch, cos fast babies are slippery little ones and the cord may not reach all the way to the ground 🐬) Use a cushion, a pillow, a duvet, a few towels, whatever.
Get the room warm, by closing windows or doors, and if you have called for help, get the front door open so help can get in even if you are indisposed!
Then, let things happen. Ease your baby out by following your body’s urges. Try to focus on breathing to slow things down a little if they are fast and furious. Perhaps put your hand down to feel your baby’s head emerge and breathe breathe breathe. You know what to do.
There might be a pause between the baby’s head being born and the body following. If the body doesn’t emerge with the next contraction easily, think about shifting positions....try and bring some movement into your pelvis (maybe by lifting a leg, getting into all fours, just changing something can help), in case the baby’s shoulders need releasing from the pubic bone. Once the baby is born, bring them close to you, they might take a few seconds to come round.....it’s been quite the ride. Have someone bring a towel, dry your little one, talk to them, and give them a rub if they are slow to come round. Then change the towel to a dry one. If you have concerns, call for help ASAP if you have not done so already before the birth.
Stay calm, you have done it!!
But there is still a job to do.....the birth of the placenta.
Unexpectedly fast births are a LITTLE more likely to lead to a bigger blood loss......MAYBE because often people feel panicked when birthing alone, and adrenaline can counteract the shy birthing hormones that help keep blood loss normal after birth. So, CHILL.
Keep the room warm, quiet, cosy. Keep your baby close, kiss them, let them nuzzle at your breast, maybe pee if you can/want to, to allow the uterus to contract well. Don’t mess with the cord, there is NO need to clamp or cut it until the placenta is out, or ever.
If/when help arrives.....ask them to respect the birthing space and keep the atmosphere pleasant, private and unpanicked. Don’t let people pull on the cord unless you have been given oxytocic drugs (though even then it’s not usually necessary). This keeps things as safe as they can be ♥️
The placenta will usually make an appearance without issues. Stay warm, have something sugary to drink to counteract any shocky shaking you may experience (you probably will, it’s quite normal!). Feed your baby.
Marvel at what you have done ♥️