Birth story - Davina and baby Sienna

*Trigger Warning* - Miscarriage, Fertility treatment, assisted delivery.

So after a long time I cant quite believe our baby girl, the baby of our dreams is here!

We started trying around 3 years ago and nothing happened so after a long wait and investigations it was found I have PCOS. We were on the waiting list for Fertility treatment when I found I was pregnant in Jan 2021.. obviously very excited and shocked we were both over the moon. We went for an early scan which showed the pregnancy may not be ok and I unfortunately miscarried a week later.. I never imagined this would be me. Anyway this made me realise how much we wanted a baby so we actively started ttc. I fell pregnant again in May but soon after lost our second baby.

We decided to wait for Fertility treatment to give us the best chance of things working out and I ended up having further tests done privately which found I have a blood disorder that can contribute to pregnancy loss. I was prescribed blood thinners in the event of another pregnancy.

We waited until June where I had ovulation induction treatment.. and thankfully it worked first time! I took the prescribed injections and we had our first scan at 7weeks.. all was well so far!

Now to the labour.. it was lengthy.. but so worth it for our baby girl.

I started having period type pains in my back and tummy on the Friday which I didn’t initially identify as the onset of Latent labour. We got checked in hospital and my cervix was still long and we were told nothing would happen soon. (I lost my plug at 37 weeks so had been waiting for something for 2 weeks already).

Then Saturday surges came and went more frequently but still 10+mins apart. Then Sunday they really ramped up.. I said to my husband I needed a distraction so we went out for brunch I kept rubbing my back panting while eating pancakes! That night my husband slept in the spare room as we still thought it was nothing and I was up all night.. our dog stayed with me. In the morning I got in the bath and told hubby that the dog was a better birth partner!

I called the hospital while I was in the bath and they asked us to come in ASAP, so hubby packed up the car.. (I said we didn't need anything) and we drove there with my Tens on which was now at max LOL. .

When we arrived I got checked and told I was already 4cm and in active labour so we were staying in! Spent what felt like hours on gas and air.. got to 7cm and my waters were broken by the midwife.. I was surprised with how hot it was and hubby helped me by towelling my legs.

This is where it became a bit of a blur.. I got to 10cm by which point I was very dehydrated and exhausted as it was now around 7pm. The midwives offered an epidural which I gratefully accepted (my husband made sure it was what I 100% wanted as it was the one thing I said I didn’t want) Once I had it.. I had the nicest rest it was amazing. And I could still move and feel my legs.

An hour later.. I started pushing.. 2 hours in, her head wasn't facing the right direction so several consultants came in and we were advised the safest option would be assisted delivery or c section. I consented for both as wanted her out safely whatever it took.. despite hardly being able to sign the paperwork! One of the consultants kept using the word contractions and hubby kept correcting it to surges.. it was quite amusing.

We got taken into theatre and it was everything I didn’t want but I tried to close my eyes and remain as calm as possible while they set up the forceps and I had an episiotomy.. my husband asked the midwife to keep me fully updated with what was happening and keep things positive after I'm not sure how long the consultant said to me 'for the next push open your eyes as you will be meeting your baby'!

Final 2 pushes.. the first her head came out and I was told her eyes were open! With the next push she came into the world at 21.54pm, 12 hours after coming into hospital she was taken to one side as she didn't cry and had blocked airways but I knew she was OK as her eyes had been open in those first few moments while I waited my husband went over to her, she had delayed cord clamping and after a few mins hubby cut the cord.

Tears streaming down my face she was handed to me.. it was the most overwhelming amazing feeling, I wish I could bottle it forever. We got taken into a side room and had skin to skin time and I breastfed her for hours with my hubby by my side he also had some time with her which was magical before having to head home around 4am. He was back at 8!

I am so grateful to hypnobirthing for giving myself and my husband the tools we needed to ride the roller coaster of Birth. Particularly my husband who was amazing from start to finish making sure that our birth preferences were heard and our baby girl and I were safe.

I am in absolute awe of myself and all other women out there for growing beautiful babies and Birthing them in whichever way it happens to keep our babies and us safe.. I never realised what a miracle it was until it was my turn. We are all super women!