Birth story - Jodie and baby Joshua

I wanted to share my birth story as everyone who has asked about my labour has responded with horror, negative comments and offered me comfort, which I find very unusual, as to me my labour was as it was supposed to be and I'm at peace with it and take from it the incredible moments, thanks to the PBC course.

Hypnobirthing was something I was interested in practicing from the start of my pregnancy and found the PBC book amazing so purchased the online courses too. I practiced breathing techniques, listening to music and creating my ideal environment in my bathroom whilst having a bath. I knew I wanted to experience a water birth if possible so it made sense to me to create this a few times a week at home.

My birth story :

I began with contractions at 3am on Friday morning, they were rather spaced out and I tried to sleep through as much as I could. This continued through the day getting closer together and stronger. I had multiple baths in this time and just went with the flow of my body. By 4am Saturday morning the contractions were at a point where I could go to the birth centre.

Upon arrival I was examined and was 4/5cm dilated. My waters were going to go 'any moment' but I was already exhausted as I hadn't really slept in 24 hours. I was offered pethidine by 7am and managed to get an hour and a half sleep to try and recoop some energy for active labour. The next part of my labour was slow. We did multiple walks around the hospital grounds. I was offered to have my waters broken, which felt like the best decision as I was at this point 6/7cm dilated but my waters just weren't for going. As soon as my waters broke I felt an immediate change.

At this point I entered the pool, my husband facing me and offering support through every contraction. This is the point I started with gas and air. Still breathing as much as I could with my techniques through it all. Music playing, dim lights it was magic. I remember feeling totally in love with the experience, filled with oxytocin and excited to meet my boy. The contractions stepped up a level again and something told me to push. I was in the water pushing, out the water pushing. At this point I had no concept of time but it was actually early hours of Sunday morning and I'd been in hospital 24 hours working through my contractions and I'd been pushing for 4/5 hours, (according to my husband).

Unfortunately I ran out of strength, my legs buckled, and the decision was to take me to the labour ward to put me on syntocinon to help my body push baby out. I then got to 9cm dilated but I was beyond exhausted and the decision was an emergency c section as it was getting close to 24 hours since breaking my waters.

Upon examination I was 10cm dilated and offered to trial forceps whilst ready for the c section. The surgeons and team were incredible. I was so relaxed and felt so cared for. Forceps didn't work, he had turned and therefore I had the c section. It was over 72 hours from the start of my contractions to Joshua arriving via c-section.

I feel nothing but admiration for my body, my husband, the team of midwives who supported me and the surgeons. This is 100% down to what the course taught me and my mindset for the birth of my gorgeous boy. It was lengthy and It was unlike anything I've experienced before, but it was amazing.