Birth story - Charlotte and baby Albie

After loving reading so many amazing stories whilst pregnant I really wanted to share mine as it was it couldn't have been more different from my first. So I've finally got around to typing up my birth story. After a 36hr traumatic first birth, where I ended up with a ventouse delivery and a suspected retained placenta that resulted in PPH, I'm so happy to say that this time I had the water birth I dreamt of.

My due date came and went, and the positive affirmations really helped me stay calm and relaxed about it. I read them everyday, next to a scan photo of our baby. A week came and went, I was offered an induction but I refused, hopeful things would start soon. Monday 13th May was a beautiful sunny day and my daughter wasn't at nursery so, with my husband, we all went for a walk in the forest. I felt really heavy and was having lots of Braxton hicks all day. I sat in the sun and remember saying that baby should really be on its way as all things considered I don't think I could be more relaxed....

At 9:30pm that night my husband was on the phone so I relaxed on the bed waiting for him to finish so we could watch Game of Thrones! At that point I was pretty sure I'd had the first mild surge. After another two I went down to the kitchen to let him know that I thought things were starting up. We started watching the penultimate Game of Thrones episode (I'm not sure if that was a help or a hindrance!) and they started ramping up so we started to time them. They were varying between 4 to 6 mins, so I decided to call my parents to let them know things were starting and they may need to collect our daughter soon. As my first birth was a 36hr rollercoaster and the first surges then also started at 6mins apart we were unsure if things were really getting serious. 10 mins later they were 3 to 4 mins apart so we called them to come straight away. They arrived at around 11:45pm and I had a surge whilst my mum was in the room with me. It was overwhelmingly intense so they left quickly and we headed straight to the birthing unit.

We arrived at around 00:30. At this point the surges were really intense and I was offered some paracetamol and one codeine which I accepted. The midwife asked if she could assess how dilated I was. I was very intrigued and happily accepted. By this point it was around 1:15am, less than 4 hours since the first surge and I was 6cm and apparently very stretchy! I asked if a birthing pool could be filled and she left to organise that and find out which room was being prepared for us. It felt like she was gone for an age, and during a surge I felt pressure and an urge to push which made me start to worry why she wasn't back. I think this may have been transition. Less than 10 mins later we were shown to our room. Surges were coming thick and fast and I didn't have much time in between to rest, however the mp3 positive affirmations were amazing for me, and I just breathed my way through each surge, hugging my pillow. Once in the room our midwife highlighted that they were looking for a piece of tubing for the pool before they could fill it up and that in the mean time they were filling a big corner bath instead. I was okay with that and just wanted to be in warm water. At that point another big surge started. I quickly got on my knees on the bed, I just wanted to be on something soft. I leaned over the pillows and hugged them, and my waters went with a pop. That provided some immediate relief.

It was 1:30am, and our midwife quickly urged me to get in the bath, announcing that we'd have a baby soon. The bath was soothing and there was an immediate change and increase in pressure. I immediately felt the urge to push and didn't have much say in the matter. I kept my mind positive and started down breathing. I was determined to breathe my baby out. I was offered gas and air which I think really helped me stay focussed. The sensations were so surreal, I remember thinking that I couldn't believe women did this every day. In between a contraction my midwife asked if there was anything I wanted or didn't want. Due to a PPH after my first birth it had been advised on my notes that I should have a cannula inserted and an IV of syntocinon afterwards. I was happy to have this if required, but if labour went well then I asked not to have this. My midwife agreed that they would wait and assess things once baby was born.

Within the next few contractions I could feel his head slowly try to emerge then slip back up. Then with one long but gentle contraction his head was out, I was surprised by how easily it happened. I don't remember it being painful at all. The strangest part was waiting for the next contraction to push out his body. Then at 1:55am, less than 5hrs from the first contraction with a little guidance from my midwife, our beautiful boy was here. He was immediately passed to me, and it was everything. I was so relieved and so in awe of what women can do. He was on my chest for about 10 mins before my husband cut the cord. I wish I had asked to delay the cord clamping for a bit longer but I was on cloud 9 and was too busy staring at our little bundle. Once cut, my husband had a cuddle, whilst I was given the injection in my leg and helped to the bed to deliver the placenta. It came away quickly with no problems. My midwife was happy with my blood loss and the IV wasn't required. It was noted that I lost a total of just 100ml! I had a minor opening of the original tear from my first birth and they were happy for that to be left to heal by itself so no stitches. We were then left alone to have lots of skin to skin, just the 3 of us.

I'm so happy and grateful to have found the positive birth company and to have had the birth I so hoped for. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to know that I could do it, on my own terms. Although never would I have imagined it lasting less than 5 hours. It just goes to show how different things can be when your mind is open, confident and positive. Thank you Siobhan for making this invaluable pack so accessible. What a difference a positive birth can make ❤