Legacy actress and new mom Jay Anstey (31) recently documented her free birth experience.
Taking to social media the former Isidingo actress shared how on 6 December, she and partner Sean-Marco Vorster who play Stefan on Legacy, welcomed baby Ayla through a free birth - that is, without any medical or midwife assistance.
She wanted to share the experience to express her journey without judgment for however one chooses to give birth.
“No doctors, no midwife, no doula, and no interference,” she says.
“I woke at 1am on a rainy 6 December, my water had broken. Intense contractions began right away. We had an app that timed my contractions and Sean-Marco along with my mom and dad started filling up the birth pool as they were rapidly getting closer together,” she says.
“After a few hours of walking around (and throwing up twice from pain) I felt it was time to get into the water.”
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Jay and Sean-Marco then got inside the pool.
"Breathing through each excruciating contraction. At some point, my mom joined and sat at the base of the pool giving me support (and coconut water)!”
Jay says, at some point, she was in a trance.
“As the hours passed, I was now deep in a ‘trance’ focussing on breathing and remaining calm. I felt as she moved into the birthing canal and even though it was very difficult, I didn’t push, I just breathed.”
Ten hours passed and when she thought she couldn’t handle the pain any longer Jay felt the baby was ready to come.
“Enter ‘the ring of fire’ - yes it literally feels like it’s on fire. I pushed for three contractions and my incredible partner, Sean-Marco, delivered our darling daughter into the world,” she says.
“His hands were the first to touch her and the only faces she looked upon were those of her family. She cried beautifully, we checked her vitals, and she was happy and perfect. Everything I had wanted for her. Her perfect birth.”
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Jay says after three hours passed; her placenta did not come out.
“Sadly my placenta decided not to come out. So, I had to head to the hospital to remove the placenta surgically,” she says.
“I wasn’t upset that I ended up in hospital because I gave our little one the birth she deserved. I was so supported by Sean-Marco and I don’t think many men could’ve done what he did. Incredible dedication to parenting and partnership. What a man. Would I free birth again? 100 percent.”
