Birth story - Roberta and baby Emmy

*Trigger warning* - Use of the word pain, contractions, post partum haemorrhage.

Reading different birth stories whilst I was pregnant really helped me envisage my own labour so I am happy to add my experience to the mix!

Finding out we were expecting our first baby a week after our wedding (turns out baby was a surprise VIP guest!), and before my husband and I both happened to have accepted new jobs made for a very exciting start to my pregnancy! Luckily the pregnancy was straightforward and I really enjoyed watching my bump grow and my body change. Aside from some 1st trimester tiredness and nausea, the pregnancy was very straightforward and was low risk (I managed to stay active throughout, still going to the gym regularly until 39 weeks!). I wanted to see what my body was capable of so opted for a vaginal birth with minimal interventions in my birth plan.

Even though I tried to not focus on dates, as my due date approached I started to get excited and was desperate to meet baby! Cue lots of activities to help try and speed things along; eating curry and pineapple, lots of walks, sex etc. At 40+3, around 1:30am whilst in bed I noticed tightening and cramping in my tummy which took me a while to figure out what was happening at first! Once I realised these “tightenings” were more painful than the Braxton Hicks contractions I’d experienced in the last few weeks, and were happening at regular intervals, I started to time them using the Freya app. Contractions were happening every 8 mins so I knew I wasn’t in established labour yet but was excited to think I was heading that way! It was uncomfortable to lay down at this point so I went and sat on my birthing ball in front of the TV and used hypnobirthing breathing techniques to manage through which really helped.

Contractions continued in a semi regular way ranging from every 5-8 mins until around 5am when they abruptly stopped. I was disappointed but was also glad to have an opportunity to try and rest and relax for a few hours. I happened to have a routine midwife appointment that day which I went along to and let her know that I had been having contractions that night/morning. After a discussion I accepted a vaginal examination and sweep as I was keen to help restart labour - the midwife let me know I was already 1cm dilated at this point. A few hours later (in the middle of Aldi!) my contractions restarted and were happening regularly so the sweep seemed to have done the trick!

Back at home I had a bath, practiced upbreathing, listened to relaxing music and used my birthing ball to manage contractions. Once contractions were happening every 3-4 minutes we rang the midwife unit to let them know. My waters hadn’t gone yet and I was managing well at home so they advised I continued at home until contractions became more regular at 2-3 mins apart or I was unable to manage. Around 10pm I started to find it difficult to breathe through the contractions so my husband and I made our way to the hospital in the car. I accepted an examination upon arrival and was a little disappointed to know I was 2cm dilated (I had hoped to be further along!) but was glad to have some context of where I was at to help with the decision on what to do next. I had originally wanted minimal interventions/drugs but at that point, using my BRAIN, I accepted codeine tablets and then an injection of pethidine to help manage the pain and also allow me to get some rest! I wasn’t able to be admitted into the midwife led unit at that point, but managed to get an empty examination room with a bed to sleep in for a few hours!

When I woke up around 3am the medication had worn off and I was unable to have anymore pain relief at that point so I really had to focus on my breathing to manage it, which was tough!! A warm bath had helped at home so my midwife suggested a hot shower might help which it did, and at that point my mucus plug had gone (still no sign of waters though!). After a few more hours, I was starting to get uncomfortable and found it increasingly more difficult to breathe through each contraction, but didn’t want to be disappointed if I hadn’t progressed enough to be admitted into the midwife led unit so accepted the midwife’s suggestion to hold out a bit longer until another examination. She examined me around 7am (40+4 now) and I was delighted to be at 4cm! Excitedly we grabbed our bags and headed for the MLU where we were able to be admitted into one of the birthing suites. It was great! Our own space with relaxing lights and a birth pool! We put on our playlist (Afro beats as needed something upbeat at this point!) and I got into the pool which felt amazing! Immediately I was able to get more comfortable and use the gas and air to help focus my breathing again. I opted for intermittent monitoring which the midwives were able to do with a handheld Doppler so that I could stay focused, relaxed and remain in the pool. I just let them know when a contraction was happening so they could monitor baby during it, so felt in control. I think being in a more calming environment (had been in a hospital triage room previously) helped me move into the next stage as a shortly after I felt the urge push.

Once I felt like I needed to push, my body felt like it was taking over. I discussed examinations with the midwife and declined one as felt getting out of the pool at this point might have stalled things. The midwives were happy to take my lead and suggested using a mirror to check (I was on all fours at this point) how I was progressing. They were happy it was safe for me to push and helped coach me through. I needed lots of positive encouragement at the point (I think this must have been the transition as I remember thinking “is it too late to ask for an epidural?! ) and my husband and midwives were great at being my personal cheerleaders. As baby’s head started to emerge, the midwives suggested I reach down and feel. It was amazing as baby was still in her sac at this point so we were all excited at the prospect of a rare en caul birth! With a few more strong pushes and some serious down breathing, baby was born and my waters broke as she did. Having her passed to me from the water was absolutely incredible and such a rush of emotions; shock, excitement, love and amazement at what had just happened.

I was able to have some uninterrupted skin to skin in the water with her and delayed cord clamping. My husband then cut the cord and had skin to skin time with baby whilst I got out of the pool. I opted for the injection to help deliver my placenta at this point (originally had wanted to deliver on my own) as using my BRAIN it felt like the right decision - I just wanted it out so I could focus on cuddling baby! Once out of the pool we had more skin to skin as I was examined. Luckily I had no tears, just a slight labial graze so didn’t need any stitches. I was able to get baby to latch onto my breast quickly too which was important for me as I wanted to breastfeed. I opted to stay overnight for this reason as I wanted some breastfeeding support before going home.

Upon reflection I really enjoyed my labour and felt so empowered that I managed to advocate for the birth plan I wanted but also be flexible when necessary (ie accepting pethidine as pain relief in early labour and the injection to help deliver my placenta). I also suffered heavy blood loss a week after birth unfortunately, which I had to be readmitted to hospital for. Using my BRAIN again really helped choose a plan of action that felt right and luckily all was ok. Hypnobirthing really gave me the knowledge to understand what was going on with my body throughout labour but also the tools to manage as well as better understand what options I could take at each stage.

My advice for mums-to-be would be to arm yourself with knowledge as knowledge is power! This also extends to the post partum period. Knowing what to expect and what support options you have (especially important for breastfeeding I think!!) has really helped me. Labour is a crazy journey but thanks to PBC, I felt empowered to ride along through!