Birth story - Kirsten and baby Scarlett

*Triggers warning* - Use of word contraction (not negative to me), previous birth trauma

For context, my first baby, born in 2021 was planned homebirth. She was found to be breech, but I had her successfully turned via ECV. The actual labour ended up being protracted (+27 hours active labour at home) and eventual forceps delivery in theatre. The experience was the exact opposite from the homebirth I had planned for and left me with quite a lot of trauma to work through.

When I became pregnant again in 2022, I was quite anxious about the birth. I knew that this time around I wanted a doula, as I had felt that perhaps if I had one first time around things may have worked out differently. I started to speak to a few doulas, who, despite my hesitation encouraged me to consider the homebirth route again. I settled on the wonderful Bex (The Wimbledon Doula) and registered with the West Middlesex Hospital homebirth team (The Venus Team) in the knowledge that I would get continuity of care, and also still have the opportunity to go to the birth centre if I changed my mind!

One of the Doula’s I spoke to recommended I get in touch directly with Cheryl, the head of the West Mid Homebirth Team. When I connected with her, she said I was in luck – she didn’t have any babies planned in June, so she would be my midwife!

Around 33 weeks, I had a feeling that my baby was breech. Having had breech baby previously I knew to trust my instinct. I was referred to a scan with the breech clinic and sure enough – another breech baby. I left feeling a bit flat, but optimistic that if all else failed - with my first having been turned via ECV my second would too. I then went into an intense programme of chiro, spinning babies, moxibustion – I felt like I gave it my all. At 38 weeks, the baby was still confirmed breech. I went for an ECV, which failed. I was devastated. My immediate thought was that I would need to have a c-section.

Lucky for me, I had an incredible team of women around me who helped me to start to think about what I had previously thought inconceivable – a breech birth. It started with my doula raising an interesting point, that because both of my babies were breech it was possible that my body was somehow “designed” to birth breech? I was hesitant, but open-minded to learn more.

Cheryl, put me in touch with the consultant midwife in the breech team, who recommended I have a “no strings” chat with the Breech team at Queen Charlottes, who, as part of the Optibreech trial, are among the most experienced team in the country for breech birth. After meeting with the team, asking lots of questions and weighing up all the risks and benefits, we decided to proceed and registered with Queen Charlottes hospital. After reviewing my notes and history I was told I was an ideal candidate, and positioning of the baby was also optimal (extended/frank breech).

Fast forward to the birth. I had calls from the hospital in the lead up to my due date offering me a sweep which I declined initially. I then decided to schedule one in for 41+ 4 in case nothing had happened – I really hoped I wouldn’t need it! I went past my due date and there were few signs of much happening, my mucus plug was coming away slowly over the course of a couple of weeks, and a few minor cramps.

The night of the birth: It was the heatwave in late June, we had a busy Sunday. At 7.30pm we had just put our 2 year old to bed, I had one big pang which I thought might be a contraction. I immediately felt the need to go and eat a big, healthy dinner. As I was making it, I got another big contraction, and then another. Within about 15 minutes I asked my husband to call our back up to come over ASAP. She arrived in 20 minutes and we left immediately for the hospital, with very intense contractions now less than 5 minutes apart.

8.30pm: The 20 minute journey was very uncomfortable! I was on all fours on the back seat. My husband informed me there was the most incredible red sunset as we were crossing the Thames. I felt strangely calm, although the contractions were very intense! By the time we got to the hospital at about 9pm I was already feeling a lot of pressure (and probably going into transition…I said to my husband I didn’t think I could do it, and why didn’t I just go for a c-section!?).

9.30pm: When we got in we were quickly transferred through triage. I declined a VE as I knew things were moving fast. I already wanted gas and air at this stage. I then received the news that the two of the three main team members (consultant midwife and obstetrician) were both out of town. Thankfully Gemma, the midwife as part of the Optibreech team was able to come in despite it being her day off. Strangely I didn’t feel too worried though, with Gemma being there, as well as my doula and also, to my surprise, Cheryl, who had also come in, in a personal capacity. I felt incredibly well supported. My waters broke very dramatically at about 10.30pm and I felt a big release of pressure. The waters were clear.

11.00pm: With the pressure there was already signs of meconium from baby, as she was being pushed down the birth canal (typical of breech presentation). By this stage, I was completely inside myself and really had no idea what was happening around me. I had to wait some time for the pool room to become available in the labour ward, and as we got there, the pool was only partially full. Gemma informed me there might not be time for me to get in, as they would prefer me to have the baby on dry land and if I got in I would probably have to get out quite quickly. I agreed with their suggestion to get up onto the bed on all fours. I held onto the top of the bed while Cheryl and Bex supported me with words of encouragement, electrolytes and a cold flannel which felt amazing! Cheryl could see I was tensing quite a bit and told me to try and let go, and ride the surges like a wave. This really helped and things progressed quickly. Once I fully relaxed (as much as possible). My voice went all guttural and the wider team (obstetrician, paediatrician etc). was called into the room (standard procedure). I was glad I couldn’t see this as I was facing the wall.

12.00am: I had a brief lull in contractions which I knew must be the final stretch, I took a moment to gather myself and breathe. I was told baby’s bum was now visible and I should push even when there wasn’t a contraction. I pushed with everything I had, and the bum and legs came out. Baby was flexing her body and so the team could see she was well. The next push, one arm came out, and one was still inside. A small manoeuvre was performed by the midwife to make space for the arm to come out. In one final push, the head came out and my baby was born at 12.08. She was passed between my legs to me. I was in complete disbelief, but it felt amazing to have done it!! From rumping to birth this took only three minutes, although it felt like much more! We had golden hour, skin to skin and my husband cut the cord when it was white. I physiologically delivered the placenta and was inspected for tears. I had a minor second-degree tear, which needed a few stitches while my husband had skin to skin. These healed very quickly and didn’t give me any discomfort.

Looking back: The experience was completely empowering, and I am still in awe of how birth can work when there is no intervention. I want to share this story as there is a lot of fear and misunderstanding around breech birth – which is just a variation of normal, but we have lost the skills to be able to manage. My husband and I are incredibly grateful to the people that guided us to trust in the process, and also to give me the confidence to go for it. By putting myself in the hands of an experienced team I knew I had done everything I could to give myself the best possible shot at success. I would also say trust your gut and your instincts, and question everything. Your body, your rights, your birth.

We are so grateful everyone that played a part in our birth and to the PBC community for sharing their stories. Scarlett is named after the red sunset the night she was born.