Birth story - Abigail and baby Ivy

During the end of my second trimester I developed pregnancy induced hypertension, it wasn’t dangerously high but high enough to require weekly monitoring and eventually I was put on beta blockers towards the end. I also had protein in my urine a few times so was in hospital for pre-eclampsia tests and monitoring, luckily I didn’t develop this. I had wanted a natural water birth but I soon realised this may not be the safest option if my blood pressure continued to rise. At this point I decided to look into hypnobirthing so that I could keep positive if my birth didn’t go to plan, and decided to read ‘Hypnobirthing: practical ways to make your birth better’ which made me feel more confident and excited about giving birth.

During the last few weeks I had a few episodes of reduced foetal movements and my blood pressure continued to slowly rise. After another hospital visit at 38+6 weeks, they offered me an induction the following day because it was now getting more risky as the pregnancy went on. I agreed to the induction and I remember feeling so nervous but also very excited that I would be meeting my baby girl soon.

The following day, 9th April, I was called around 8am and they asked me to come along shortly to start my induction off. Due to the coronavirus pandemic all the midwives were wearing masks so I couldn’t see their faces which initially made me feel uneasy, but these masks and PPE were keeping me and my baby safe. I was lucky I was able to bring my husband with me, and shortly after arrival my induction began. I was given a 24 hour pessary, but this didn’t work. I was then given a 6 hour gel, but this didn’t work either and I wasn’t any more dilated than when I arrived. After 30 hours of not doing much apart from waiting, eating, watching films and trying to get some sleep in (which is difficult when you’re monitored every 4 hours) I was disappointed it had not worked, but using the tools I had learned I tried to stay positive and calm.

Due to the failed induction I was offered a caesarean, and using my B.R.A.I.N I decided this was the safest option now for my baby and I. At 9pm on April 10th, my husband was sent home and told to come back the following morning when I would be taken down to theatre.

On April 11th at 2am the doctor came and woke me up to officially go through all the risks, explain the procedure and I had to sign a consent form after I had asked all the questions I had, which was quite a few! I was given anti-acids and anti-sickness tablets and couldn’t have anything to eat or drink.

A few hours later my husband arrived back and I walked down to theatre where I was introduced to all the staff who would be doing my caesarean, which I was surprised how many people are involved! I had the most amazing, supportive midwife who helped me stay calm and was chatting and laughing with me and my husband throughout. I honestly can’t thank her enough, she really was the best midwife I could have asked for.

I used my breathing techniques during the administration of the spinal block which to my surprise did not hurt. Seconds later I couldn’t move my legs and was led down on the bed. They checked the block had worked and then before I knew it, they had started. It was painless but I could feel it all happening, which was surreal! I’ve heard people say it’s like someone doing the washing up in your tummy, and that’s exactly what it’s like. I’ve never even had an operation before, and here I was having a caesarean wide awake, and totally calm speaking to my husband and midwife. My midwife told me everything that was happening and even what hair colour the baby had before she was fully out.

Minutes later my healthy beautiful baby girl was held over the screen, a moment I will never forget. After delayed cord clamping and her weight being taken (7.12lbs), she was placed on my chest for skin to skin. I was told that breastfeeding wasn’t always possible in theatre due to the lack of space on your chest with all the wires and equipment, but within about a minute she had found my nipple and was feeding! She fed the whole time they were stitching me back up which apparently took about 30-40 minutes but I was blissfully unaware, all I was focused on was my daughter who we called Ivy Faith.

We were then wheeled into a private recovery room, just the 3 of us. Ivy continued to feed and we had tea and toast. I was starving and it went down a treat! Ivy also got to have skin to skin with her dad which was lovely. We had a beautiful golden hour together and it really was the best day of our lives.

Although my birth was the total opposite of my birth plan, I am so grateful for my baby girl, and when you’re going through it you just want your baby to be delivered the safest way possible. A caesarean is still a birth and it can still be just as beautiful as a “natural” birth. I can’t thank our NHS enough for safely delivering our daughter, especially during the peak of a global pandemic!