Birth story - Amy and baby Gilbert

Saturday night at around 11.30pm I had a little trickle of waters. Didn’t think too much of it as I wasn’t sure and didn’t have any other signs of labour. Went to bed at 12.00 and nipped to the loo to find some of my show. Still nothing else so thought I’d try and sleep.

I woke up about 2.30am and although I didn’t have any surges or noticeable discomfort, I couldn’t sleep and I thought maybe things would start soon. I did feel like I had to empty my bowels and had a bit of diarrhoea and spent a good hour back and from the loo!

At around 3.30am I had my first proper surge, which was uncomfortable but nothing more. In fact really easily manageable with up breathing.... honestly up breathing was the lifesaver of labour!! Surges were 2-3 mins apart and lasting between 40 seconds and a minute. I remembered to use the Tens machine from early on so woke Tom and got that on the go and it really helped actually.

Both my mum (who had 3 kids) and my Nana (who had 4) were very quick labours and very minimal first stage pains so at around 4.30am I called the labour unit to tell them where I was at. They told me as I was FTM and early and sounded fine that I should wait at home as long as possible. I said ok but told them I doubted I’d be waiting too long.

I think the thought of a quick labour and the midwives being really relaxed about it made me wobble a little and the surges intensified a little but still totally manageable. I had the urge to push 20 minutes later at 4.50am so called them back and said I was definitely coming in.

Getting into the car was a mission, and although Tom sorted the dogs out I was a little anxious making sure we had everything etc. Which made me lose sight of the up breathing... which in turn did mean the surges intensified. I then had a real urge to push and I lost sight of the breathing completely and panicked. And I felt pain. I mention this only because I think it’s important to say that with the proper breathing the surges were completely manageable, when I stopped breathing properly boy did I notice the difference! After 2 very intense surges I had a mental word with myself and refocused my breathing. Absolute godsend. I was back on track! The rest of my waters went whilst in the car.

The drive was about 25 minutes and by the time we got to the hospital my body was pushing. Focusing on breathing was hard but Tom kept me on track counting my breaths. A midwife happened to be in the entrance and could see (and hear 😂) that I was at pushing stage so got me in a wheelchair and took me up and straight into a pool room. I was examined and the head was right there. I was told I didn’t have time for the pool. I was gutted and kept asking so they decided to try and fill it and see if we could get in in time. In the mean time I used gas and air (something I was happy in my preferences that I was going to use) and was on my knees resting on the back of the upright bed. It wasn’t the ideal position for me but I kept with it until the pool was filled. I think things were slower than they would have been here as I really wanted that pool... probably a good thing that they were slowed a little!

The pool was an instant relief and I ended up finding sat slightly reclined was the best position for me. That’s when the pushing became more pronounced, I was in the position I wanted and in the pool. Ten minutes of intensity later and the head was out. I caught my breath before the next surge and one last push and he was out. I lifted him to my chest and Tom and I in unison said “he’s a boy!!” Which was magical. We had delayed cord clamping and good skin to skin. I passed him to Tom for some skin to skin whilst I had a physiological third stage delivering the placenta which was out within a few minutes and about 20 minutes after giving birth to Gilbert.

All in all the birth was recorded as 1 hour 43 minutes. Which was incredible, and although it caused slight anxiety (me thinking ‘holy crap I’m going to have this baby in the car!!!’), it really showed me how effective being positive and breathing properly can be. I didn’t have time for my playlist, aromatherapy, etc etc, but my preferences were met as much as they could be and everyone involved was completely on board and helped me keep focussed on breathing.

I had a tiny graze and a slight internal tear but didn’t feel a thing during or whilst receiving a couple of stitches.

From my waters starting at 11.30 Saturday night, we were back home in bed having a snuggle by just after midday Sunday. It was truly a wonderful, difficult, intense but positive birth story. My one word of advice ladies... keep up with that up breathing, don’t lose focus! It’s the best form of pain relief! I just kept envisaging the adrenaline, fight and flight and making sure I was getting blood and oxygen to the muscles that count!

I have loved reading every one of the positive stories on here and hope some of you find mine useful. Any questions about quick labours etc please ask away.