Birth story - Lauren and baby Isaac

*Trigger warning* - bleeding, mention of induction, contractions

Pregnancy:

We were so blessed to fall pregnant within a few weeks of trying and very excited to be parents. Despite being low risk I had a rough pregnancy: hyperemesis gravidarum, bad flu first trimester and then a post viral rash called pityriasis rosea which meant consultant monitoring until that cleared due to risks to baby. At week 32 I had a big bleed which was later put down to a placenta haemorrhage confirmed on USS and no further issues or concerns.

Was sent for one growth scan as he was measuring small at my community midwife appointment but was told following scan he was actually measuring very big. We were then booked in to discuss options with a doctor as per their protocol. My husband and I used BRAIN and decided to give little man time to come on his own terms. I was so keen to avoid induction. I ended up having 3 sweeps despite my initial reluctance weeks before as little man just wanted to stay put and I thought why not? I personally found sweeps a bit uncomfortable but definitely bearable and just like a lot of pressure rather than any pain.

Labour:

I had been experiencing prodromal labour for about 3 weeks and lost my mucus plug several times but 2 days after my 3rd sweep (9th august) I recognised the intensity of my back pain, cramps and braxton hicks had changed, but remained very inconsistent. At 1am on the 10th I started having a pattern to the cramps alongside tightenings and knew the real thing was starting so rang my mum to make her way down from the north east and tried to sleep and not time contractions too early. My hot water bottle and TENS helped so much during this stage and I enjoyed watching movies in the bath to pass the time and help me through. By 6pm Freya told me I was in established Labour as I was contracting every 2-3 minutes with more intensity so I rang the birth centre and was asked to come in.

Had a VE and was told 2-3cm dilated. I cried lol (although I know now that’s not a bad thing) as contractions were getting unmanageable and back to back almost and I was worried how I was going to make it through a long night at that rate. I was offered dihydrocodeine which I decided to take in the hope it helped as I couldn’t have anything else like gas and air until I was 4cm +. At this point a birth pool was free. Instant reduction of pain on getting in and rode contractions out for further 2 hours or so. They got too intense again with just up breathing so midwife started me on gas and air.

All I remember from this point is things going from 0-100. My mum literally coached me through every contraction and I was roaring into the gas and air mouthpiece. The midwife came in and said she would come back in 30 mins and I told her I didn’t think I could manage another 30 mins and I felt very panicked. At this point I had definitely started to transition as I started to feel the need to push. Midwife initially told me to follow my body’s urges and what a relief that was to allow my body to push and to go with it! I then had to get out for a VE as midwife thought she could see some cervix in the way when looking with the mirror. This was so rough to get out during back to back contractions in down stage and I had to be carried out of the pool almost. I was also asked to do a wee and I honestly don’t know how I managed to take myself to the toilet! To my relief I was 10cm dilated and was helped back into the pool after the midwife broke my waters for me. Approx 6 big pushes later, in a total of approx 6 hours from established labour to delivery, he was born at just after 1am and put on me for skin to skin. I was in a bit of shock due to the speed of everything and also something still didn’t feel quite right down there - I didn’t have the instant relief many women report to feel. This was because my placenta was right there ready to be delivered so the heaviness and pressure was causing discomfort still and once that came away I felt a lot better.

I am so grateful to have only had a couple of grazes that didn’t require stitches and I suspect the pool helped reduce that. I will be honest that for me personally the post birth VE was rough and I needed gas and air again.

We loved our labour and feel privileged that it went just as I had hoped for without the need for induction (which was booked for the day he was born) and I am very grateful for a beautiful midwife and her student along with PBC’s hypnobirthing course, particularly for how informed I came away after it, how empowered I felt to trust my body and the confidence it gave me to advocate for myself and my baby. I may even consider a home birth for subsequent deliveries God willing. Thank you for the women who have gone before me and shared their stories, they encouraged me greatly. 💕