Birth story - Kate and baby Frederich

Birth Story Detail:

From 4th May (36 weeks) clear mucus plug had begun coming away in bits, progressing over the next two weeks to yellowy and then bloody.

I experienced Braxton Hicks/small contractions during this time running up to the birth too.

Focussed on long warm soaks in the bath, trying to keep myself pottering around the house (as much as possible with bad PGP) and diffusing lavender & clary sage essential oils from 37 weeks.

On our 37 week date, we had an appointment with our consultant (under consultant due to high BMI) to discuss the previous scans, baby’s predicted birth weight and scheduled an induction for 27th May 2022 - the point at which the trajectory growth chart was hitting 4.5kg. We also scheduled a sweep for the 38 week date.

Something to note here is that I really didn’t want a sweep or an induction when I initially set out my birth preferences, but I was getting so uncomfortable and so sure this baby was almost ready that I felt these were good options for me at the time.

At the end of the appointment, our consultant offered a sweep there and then, which I accepted - she conducted the sweep and told me that I was already actually 3cm dilated and that it would be very easy to break my waters as baby was pushing right against them, making them bulge!

We went home from the appointment at 1100hrs, with my husband heading off to work that afternoon. My mum came over to be with me/keep me company as I felt that my body was definitely trying to get this baby out and the sweep seemed to have increased this almost immediately (could have been a coincidence, I know).

I spent the afternoon diffusing essential oils, having baths, staying hydrated, cuddling the dog, bouncing on my birthing ball, munching on pineapple and listening to a chilled playlist I’d made.

By 2030, I was sure I was contracting and started monitoring the contractions/surges using the Freya App.

My mum reluctantly left and my husband came home early, to make sure I wasn’t on my own.

Between 2030 and 0130 we were in and out of established labour, according to the app - and at 0145 we called the hospital, who said to try stay at home for as long as possible.

My husband spent most of the time I was contracting at home either massaging the bottom of my back or rubbing my shoulders.

By 0230 I was getting myself worried that we were so far from the hospital & that things were ramping up - so we rang the hospital again and they suggested we make our way in.

We arrived at the hospital at 0330hrs on 19th May (38+1) and went straight up to the Labour Ward, where we were led to a room overlooking the cathedral & I was examined - 5cm dilated!

Our room had twinkly fairy lights and they set the diffuser up with Lavender, Peppermint & Bergamot then left us together for me to labour…

I spent much of the time sniffing Peppermint from a cotton wool ball as I felt so sick/nauseous.

Other than that I was to-ing and fro-ing from bed to the bathroom, with such an intense pressure low down (which I assumed were my waters bulging).

I had another internal examination at 1300hrs - 7cm dilated. Up until this point I had had Paracetamol and Codeine - but needed something more, so asked for Gas & Air and continued to use breath work.

It was agreed that I would have another internal examination at 1700hrs and if I hadn’t progressed much further, they would break my waters.

By 1700hrs, my contractions had continued to get more intense but my waters had not broken, so the midwife broke my waters (most incredible feeling of relief) and also attached a clip monitor to baby’s head at this point, as the wireless external monitors were constantly losing signal as I moved about.

For the next two hours, my contractions ramped up even more, whilst I REALLY used my gas and air, breathing through and allowing my body to do its thing.

I don’t remember a lot of the part between waters breaking to him arriving, apart from the “ring of fire” they speak about & my husband explaining that the midwife HAD to hold my leg if we wanted the other midwife to survive the process (I had been kicking her… sorry Lilly and thanks Amanda)

I was on my side, with one leg up in a stirrup and breathed baby out using Gas & Air (good stuff!).

Frederich was born at 1914hrs and was brought up on to my chest immediately for skin to skin.

We then did delayed cord clamping for 5 minutes - and I had the injection to deliver the placenta, which came out whilst I was snuggling my beautiful, beautiful baby.

I had superficial/grade 2 tearing to my labia, so whilst this was stitched up, my husband took our baby on to his chest and continued skin to skin there.

I also had a drip through my cannula post-birth, but neither of us can remember what that was for (potentially re blood loss, but I clearly wasn’t paying attention).

Although I had really pushed to be able to have a water birth (and the midwifery team were incredible with supporting my decisions - supported by their experience), at the time, I actually didn’t want to go to the pool - which surprised me so much. I was more happy being on my side on the bed.

I had SUCH a positive experience - helped by the PBC course we undertook, our wonderful Community Midwives (COCOs Gainsborough) and the AMAZING team at Lincoln County Hospital, in Bardney Ward (Labour), Nettleham Ward (Maternity Inpatients), and NICU/Neonatal Unit Transitional Care Team.

Although my hope was to breastfeed, I was open to whatever method of feeding, as long as he was getting fed! Sadly, it was suspected that Freddie had sepsis and he was unable to feed through breast, cup or teat initially…

We were admitted in to NICU Transitional Care and Freddie was given IV antibiotics every few hours, to clear any infection.

Thankfully, his feeding built up using formula bottles, he was confirmed clear of any infection, and we were discharged from hospital with him at 4 days old.

I have since managed to pump/express a small amount of breast milk for him but formula is our way forward.

I am completely overwhelmed at the whole experience and how positive it was - and absolutely head over heels in love with our little man, who is today ONE WEEK OLD

I really struggled with pregnancy, due to the horrible PGP I experienced and honestly couldn’t see how on earth I’d be able to birth my baby - but birth was the most empowering and beautiful experience of my life… I found strength I didn’t know I had!

I hope this story helps anybody feeling the same way I did - you can ABSOLUTELY do this and the result is better than you could ever imagine!