Birth story - Amy and baby Solveig

*Trigger warning* - Polyhydramnios, Genetic Condition, mention of miscarriage

I became pregnant in September 2022 after 2 years of trying and 2 early miscarriages. The first 2 trimesters were fine for me. No nausea, no discomfort, no cravings or aversions. Apart from eating slightly more I really didn't have any symptoms. From the moment I found out I was pregnant I started researching and found the PBC. I was excited for the experience of birth and planned to have a home water birth with as little pain relief as possible!

Everything changed at 32 week when I went in for a growth scan, as I smoked before pregnancy. The scan revealed I had a severe amount of amniotic fluid. The sonographer said she had never personally seen a level this high (AFI:50cm). I had received comments that I was looking "big" but didn't really think too much about it. I was informed that a lot of the time Polyhydramnios can have no cause but due to my levels it was likely that something was wrong. The causes could be a genetic condition, a structural abnormality, gestational diabetes or a neurological problem. I was referred to a specialist at a hospital an hour and a half away and told to take it easy as I had a high risk of cord prolapse and premature delivery. I was distraught and suddenly filled with fear. I spent all my time googling what could be causing this and got myself into a right state.

I had regular scans where they couldn't really find a cause. They could see baby was slightly small with a small stomach but that was it. The uncertainty was too much and I began imagining all the terrible things that could happen. The up breathing certainly helped me stay calm during these appointments. My fluid levels continued to climb making the end of my pregnancy uncomfortable and miserable, I felt like all the joy had been sucked out of my pregnancy and was just filled with fear. It took a lot to get me back on track as I was now high risk and booked for an induction. They thought baby would need surgery straight after birth so I was scheduled in at the hospital with the specialists. I had to snap out of it and make the best of the situation and this is where the PBC really helped. My dream birth was completely out the window.

I went in on the 8th to be induced and was given the pessary and told I was already 1cm. The plan was to get to 2cm so they could break my waters and then begin the syntocin. I didn't find it too uncomfortable and spent time walking around the hospital grounds with my husband and playing games. I stayed the night and was given more gel the next day. Sometime that evening I was taken down to the labour ward as I was now 2cm. I was fitted with a canula and waited for a doctor to break my waters. We had to wait for a theatre to be free just incase the force of all that water caused a cord prolapse which would mean I would be rushed for a cesarean straight away. Luckily it went fine and didn't hurt at all. But oh boy was there a lot of fluid, such a relief! I asked for an hour before the drip to see whether things would start but unfortunately they didn't. I needed continous monitoring which was a pain but I wanted to make sure everything was okay. They began the drip and contractions started quickly. I was in good spirits and felt they were easy to manage.

I was then checked a little while later and was found to be 4cm. I was still managing with up breathing and the tens machine and was enjoying listening to music. We put up fairy lights and had a essential oil diffuser going which really helped. When my midwife was on break another came in and turned the drip up and after this I began having a bit of a wobble. I knew I could do it but started tensing up and dreading the next wave. The contractions were 4 in 10 minutes and I began to hum and rock during each one. I asked for some pain relief and had a shot of diamorphine which didn't really help with the pain but relaxed me slightly. Only 3 hours after my waters were broken I felt as if I couldn't do it. I was worried that once the diamorphine wore off I wouldn't be able to cope. My midwife recognised this as transition and examined me again, I was 10cm! I struggled with pushing to begin with and asked for some coaching. After an hour the doctors came in and said baby was getting tired and if she wasn't delivered soon they would do an episiotomy or try forceps. That definitely spured me on and she was born 5 minutes later to a room full of people and with another wave of fluid. She was put on my chest but only for a minute, my husband cut the cord and she was taken to the resus table. She was okay but had to be taken to the NICU for immediate tests so my husband went with her. I had the shot to deliver the placenta and was stitched up for a second degree tear which I did find uncomfortable but used gas and air to help. After a short nap and some toast I was taken down to see my perfect little girl.

She stayed in the NICU for 2 weeks in total and was found to have various anomalies however, none required surgery at the moment. 6 months later she was diagnosed with a very rare genetic syndrome (only about 250 cases worldwide!).

Considering everything, I would still say the birth was positive and am so glad that the induction didn't lead to lots of other interventions. With the PBC I was still to make the experience positive and am so glad I did the course and spent a lot of time reading others experiences.

My little girl is now 1 and even with all the challenges she faces is the happiest and most loving child who brings joy to everyone she meets. I love being a mum and am looking forward to having my next daughter in September.