Early Labour Stage
Oh my goodness! What a few days I've had! My waters broke on Sunday evening and I had a lovely early stage labour at home, until 11pm on Monday (when I was advised to go back to hospital, to be checked, because it had been 24 hrs since my waters had broken). I was 2cm dilated, but I wasn’t discouraged and luckily I was able to go into a private room with my husband, on the ward, whilst the hospital waited for me to progress naturally for another 12 hours (with checks for infection). I was then moved to the birthing suite, in a beautiful room with my usual midwife, at about 11am on Tuesday. I had gone off the idea of a water birth, but I was moving around a lot and I was still contracting regularly. However, after all that time, I had only got to 3cm and because of the waters going 36 hrs earlier and some dips in baby's heartrate, I agreed to be put on the induction drip.
Induction and Epidural
I told my midwife that if I was going to be induced and going on the drip, I insisted that I had an epidural (a decision that I had already made, if my birth plan needed to change). That's when things took a bit of a turn. I had two failed epidurals, so I could feel the back to back style contractions, for 4 hours (this was very very tough!!). Then, after getting to 10cm and another 3 hours of solid pushing, baby's heartrate started to dip again and he just wasn’t getting over the Ubend, no matter what I tried! So, I was advised to have a forceps delivery (which I agreed to). I’d been awake for 3 days and was just at my limit with the pain and tiredness! It wasn’t what I had planned, but the midwives were honestly amazing and we played my music and sang whilst I pushed him out in theatre. I got an hour of skin to skin immediately after birth and he’s a healthy, chunky 8lb 6 oz!
Birth Preparation & Hypnobirthing Led to a Positive Birth
The hypnobirthing breathing techniques and understanding of what was happening, helped me so so much. Even though it wasn’t my ideal scenario, I had gone in feeling prepared and informed, knowing what alternative decisions I could make if my birth plan changed. Overall, despite having a tricky birth, I still feel so positive about it all! I think it's all about mindset. I had a little wobble when I realised I was going to need an assisted delivery, but then as soon as I put a few things in place, to make it more about how I wanted it to be, I felt really good. Positive mindset is so important and taking back that control, can make such a difference.
Baby has had a breastfeed already, initially latching perfectly! However, he’s struggling a little bit now (I think he’s tired!), but we’ve had a good night on the ward and the midwives are helping us. He’s super healthy! I’m feeling pretty good, all things considered and we’ve got our own private room again, which is so nice. We're hoping to go home this evening!
Birth doesn't always go to plan, but it can still be positive
Birth can often take a turn, from what was desired and that is why I always tell my clients to make birth preferences, rather than a birth plan. Laura prepared for her birth and considered all options, including options for her birth going off course. This is what helped her to still feel in control, when her birth didn't go quite as she'd hoped and she was able to make informed decisions that felt right for her and her baby. Laura learnt calm breathing techniques, which will have helped her to make these informed decisions. When we are calm, we are better at making rational decisions. Laura's hypnobirthing techniques helped her to have a positive mindset and despite having a birth that she hadn't wanted, she felt that it was still a positive experience.
If you would like to prepare for birth and increase your chances of having a positive birth experience, like Laura did, then please get in touch. I offer antenatal and birth Doula support and private 1-1 and group hypnobirthing courses. Visit my website to find out more or drop me an email for a free 30 minute consultation.
Julia x