Birth story - Hayley and baby Fraser

At 41+5 my midwife recommended I have an induction as my baby was measuring ‘large’. Having previously had an induction, which on reflection I felt I agreed to without knowing exactly what it could entail, I wanted to make an informed judgement if I was in the same position again. I read the NICE guidelines and decided that my baby measuring large wasn’t a clinically justified reason to have an induction at this stage. Using BRAIN I asked my midwife what alternatives were available and she advised I could go to hospital every other day for monitoring instead.

At 42+3 I felt ready to discuss induction and was booked in that evening. Initially I went to the induction hoping for a pessary and to be allowed to go home. However, I was told due to going past 42 weeks I was now ‘high risk’ and this was not an option. The doctor advised I have my water broken and after 2 hours if labour hadn’t progressed I be put on the oxytocin drip. Again using BRAIN I discussed my options and the doctor agreed I could be left for 4 hours before the drip would be discussed and if labour was progressing well I could still have a water birth. I decided I was happy with this agreement and accepted the induction.

At 7pm my waters were broken and I listened to my hypnobirthing music to remain calm and relaxed. Within 30 minutes my contractions had started and I used UFO positions to ensure labour would progress quickly. At 11pm, after 4 hours, I was examined and the midwife said I was 5-6 cm dilated. I was delighted that the drip wouldn’t be needed and I could still use the birthing pool.

At 11:30pm I got into the pool and instantly the sensation changed. I knew it was time to use my down breathing and within 30 minutes my son was born. It was a beautifully calm birth and I felt so empowered that I had made an informed judgement on how I wanted the birth to happen, discussing my options and choosing the path that felt right for me and my baby.

Baby was large, weighing 10lbs 15oz, but I only had 1 graze and no tears or stitches. His weight caused no complications during the birth and I truly believe there is no such thing as a baby being ‘too big’. My baby was the right size for my body.