Birth story - Arlene and baby Theodore

Following a previous miscarriage, I was very anxious to get pregnant again, but this little bundle came as a complete surprise!

I have always enjoyed mindfulness and am always looking for ways to keep calm- I knew I wanted to do hypnobirthing, so getting the digital course was a no brainier!

I started listening to the digital pack around 16 weeks. I enjoyed learning about the mechanics of the body during childbirth. I found it so empowering knowing I could decline procedures or ask for further information.

I listened to the MP3 most nights and practiced the breathing techniques. I bought candles, room spray etc as I gathered items together for my hospital bag.

At my 34w midwife appointment my blood pressure was a little high and I was advised to attend triage for monitoring. They were unable to get my BP under control and after few a more appointments I was put on Labetalol which was slightly increased over a two week period. Early Sunday 23rd Feb I received a call from the hospital telling me that my kidneys were starting to fail and to attend ASAP. I took my hospital bag and went in for more monitoring, as the day went on I was told I was being admitted to the ward for over night BP monitoring and a scan in the morning to check growth of baby.

At 11pm on the Sunday, the consultant came into my room and advised me they were unable to get my BP under control and that they were going to induce me that night. I called my husband and he drove back to the hospital in time for the pessary being inserted at midnight. Despite physically shaking for hours on the ward, I stayed positive and practiced my UP breathing, also used my room spray to keep me calm.

I managed to get some sleep and eat breakfast before my mum arrived to let my husband go home for a shower. My mum was great, making sure I was eating and drinking while my contractions increased. I was unable to attend my growth scan as the contractions were too intense. I was given two paracetamol at 11am and continued with the UP breathing. I tried to listen to the MP3 but I could only concentrate on counting. I turned on my TENS machine but never used the boast button (worried I would have no where to increase to if the pain got worse- little did I know I was in established labour)

I asked for more pain relief and was given one codeine, and asked for another two paracetamol at 2pm. I asked to be examined to which I was told- I wasn’t due to get checked until 24hours had passed (so midnight on Monday 24/02). My allocated midwife arrived at 3pm and realised how close my contractions were together and got the consultant to check me, I was 5cm dilated and was told I could transfer to the labour ward at 4pm!

I got changed into a nightdress and was given gas & air to try, but it made me really dizzy and sick so I didn’t use it. I am not sure if I fell into a sleep but I remember my body fully resting then all of a sudden I felt my waters break and was ready to push. I felt the transition period of panic that Siobhan had spoken about so I was aware of everything that was happening. The midwife got ready and I was only pushing on my back for 10 minutes. Baby came out with his hand to his mouth so had to get a small cut. Theo was born at 1805. I was given skin to skin with delayed cord cutting while I got stitched. The placenta came out straight away but I started to haemorrhage and required two injections.

Baby couldn’t regulate his temperature or sugar levels so was taken to neo natal for two nights. I stayed in hospital for 4nights, pre-Covid so my husband stayed every night with me.

Although I didn’t get the exact labour I had planned for. The pack massively helped with what to expect and to feel confident with what was going to happen. I look forward to the next baby!