Daughters help with home birth

Amy Freeburn of Empire Bay gave birth to her fifth child on Thursday, November 4, in the en-suite of her home with the help of her two eldest daughters, Rhyley and Logan.

Ms Freeburn said she felt mild contractions around two hours before she gave birth to baby Wilah Amy Joy.

"I decided I would have a bath so I could just relax before heading off to the hospital.

"The contractions were almost consistent in timing but were still very mild," said Ms Freeburn.

Ms Freeburn then felt stronger contractions and made the decision to go to the hospital.

"By the time I had walked from our children's bathroom to my bedroom I had two contractions straight on top of each other and felt a strong feeling of pressure, I went to the loo and that's when my waters broke.

"I yelled out to our girls Rhyley, 14, and Logan, 12, and told them to get daddy and call the ambulance.

"I was having this baby now!"

Ms Freeburn gave birth to Wilah on her bathroom floor with the assistance of Logan and Rhyley and a 000 operator.

"Even with all the drama Logan recorded the actual time Wilah was born (9:18am)," said Ms Freeburn.

"I wouldn't recommend an unassisted home birth but the experience that we all shared is a memory that my girls and my husband and I will always cherish.

"The instant bond it created with Rhyley and Logan to their youngest sibling is one of a kind," said Ms Freeburn.

Kaitlin Watts, 18 Nov 2010 Interviewee: Amy Freeburn