Birth story - Gio and baby Arlo

*Trigger Warning* - Mention of miscarriage, low-lying placenta and discussion of extra scans/potential for C-section, chest infection in 3rd trimester, non-enjoyment of pregnancy, fast labour, contractions (as not negative for me), 2nd degree tear, sweep. Mention of induction/episiotomy from previous birth story.

First pregnancy:

My full birth story is on here and can be searched but essentially, needed gel induction due to waters breaking and labour not starting. I needed an episiotomy that time but no tears/grazes. I had a little girl called Lily who is now 2.5 years!

This pregnancy:

We had always planned to have a second baby and we started trying when our daughter was approaching 2. I initially got pregnant but unfortunately suffered a miscarriage at 8 weeks Feb 2022. This was emotionally draining more than I expected and took me a month or so before we decided to try again. We started trying not expecting to fall pregnant too quickly but it happened 2 months after trying again (in May). We were absolutely over the moon but we did not tell anyone about the pregnancy apart from my mother in law until 15 weeks. I remember crying so much at the 12 week scan when they told me there was a heartbeat.

The pregnancy itself was not particularly smooth and I will be honest and say I hated every minute of it. I didn't get hyperemesis this time (had it bad last time) but seemed to get everything else - pelvic/back pain from 2nd trimester, terrible reflux, insomnia most of pregnancy. I think the main difference was I was working on-calls again and doing a lot of procedures/running around (I am a gastroenterology doctor) with an hour commute each way to work and also running around the toddler. I needed to take regular anti-acid tablets for all the pregnancy. It wasn't particularly fun!

We had the 20 week scan and was delighted to find out we were having a little boy this time. We were told I had a low lying placenta which meant I needed extra scans right up to 36 weeks before they were happy it had moved out the way. I was very aware if it had not moved a C-section would be recommended and had made my peace with this. I was very happy that this was not required in the end!

I did not do the full PBC course this time round but did practice guided relaxation and upbreathing from 3rd trimester as it helped me loads last time. I am very glad I did!

Another curveball was when my daughter brought home one of the million bugs from nursery which she passed on to us. Unfortunately, this flared my asthma quite badly and with being 35 weeks pregnant at the time, I was seen in urgent care centre at my local hospital and reviewed by a respiratory consultant. I was then referred soon after this to decide if I needed consultant led care but they were happy I could stay under midwife led care which I was pleased about as was keen for a water birth this time.

The actual birth:

From 36 weeks or so, I was having increasing pelvic discomfort from the baby's head moving down and head was actually engaged from 38 weeks. I started losing my mucus plus from 38 weeks onwards and had intensitying Braxton Hicks contractions with lightening crotch. I had so many false starts! At 40 weeks, I was truly fed up and in so much pain, I accepted a sweep and made appointments for 2 further ones if nothing happened as was desperate not to be induced. That night, I felt a lot of pain but nothing happened 🙁

I had a sweep booked for 40 + 4 and had made my peace for the first time in weeks that baby was going to take its time. Little did I know baby had other plans...

On 29th Jan at 0030, I felt an unmistakable pop and went to the toilet and knew my waters had gone - I was very excited! We called my mother in law who lived an hour away so she could look after my daughter. At this time, I had called the birth unit who wanted me to come in but had to wait for MIL. Within 10-15 minutes of waters breaking, I felt contractions and they intensified quickly! I monitored on freya app and they were coming every 7-8 minutes initially. I took some paracetamol, got the TENS machine on and breathed through these. By the time my MIL arrived, contractions were coming every 5 minutes and I knew it was time! My husband drove us and it was very difficult to concentrate as they felt so intense! My husband made a joke that we would "see her for lunchtime" not realising how accurate this statement would turn out to be...

We got to the birth unit and I accepted an VE - I was 3cm dilated and waters had definitely gone (and was told they could feel a lot of hair!) I genuinely thought they were going to send me home as was not 4cm yet but the midwife (who was absolutely amazing!) could see things were intensifying.

Our midwife set some mood lighting, I got some Einaudi on and just breathed through the contractions. At ~0330-0400, I accepted another VE and was delighted when she told me I was 7cm! She started getting the birthing pool ready and I was really needed gas and air by this stage. Within 15 minutes or so, I could feel the transition and I asked my husband to see what was going on with the pool. It still had a "while to go" and I remember saying the baby would not wait! Midwife and my husband helped me on the bed and I stripped off completely (dignity was gone by this point!) and was on all fours and it was definitely time to push! My body just did it - midwife barely touched me and baby was crying when head was out. This gave me the motivation to keep going and baby was out within half an hour or so of pushing.

I had agreed in advance to having an active 3rd stage and placenta was out within a few minutes. I had some lovely skin to skin and had our first breastfeed. I am quite emotional just typing this out! I did have a 2nd degree tear which has actually healed very nicely with stitches (surprised it wasn't worse given how fast the labour was!).

We got to leave with our beautiful baby boy at ~10am. It was honestly such a beautiful birth even if quick and would not change a thing - yes I couldn't have the water birth I wanted but baby clearly had other ideas and I am really happy with how it all went. My midwife in particular was incredible - she listened to us and did not really have to argue with where I thought I was in labour. She made me feel I could do it and I could!

You all have got this! This is likely to be our last baby and really want to thank PBC for giving me the tools to have two really great births!