Birth story - Laura and baby Lexi

Triggers: talk of induction

It all started on Sunday 28th June, midday when I had what I thought was my bloody show mixed with waters. I had managed to get loads of incontinence pads down on the kitchen floor but couldn't move without it gushing out of me for at least 20minutes 😱 midwife came out and wasn't happy with the blood - she was sure it wasn’t waters and also wasn't happy I hadn't seen a consultant because of Lexi's predicted weight (although I wasn't worried about that; previous daughter was small) so wanted to me transfer to hospital. I have endometriosis so I personally suspected the bleed was to do with this. I was upset and emotional not getting the home birth I envisaged but decided I would transfer with still wanting a natural birth. An ambulance came for me and transferred me to hospital, during which my surges started becoming regular and stronger.

I went into MAU and they butchered my arm trying to get a cannula in...midwife couldn't, Dr couldn't so an anaesthetist had to do it 🙈. Then I agreed to have a speculum so they could try and see where the blood was coming from but they couldn't. I was 1cm dilated at 3.20pm. By this point hubby was with me too as my surges were very close together so I was surprised when they said 1cm. Dr wanted me to go to delivery suite and have waters broken to be induced.... I used my BRAIN and said NO to their surprisement! My baby and I were being monitored and all observations were fine so I wanted to wait and see if things ramped up naturally (which they did)!

I went into the delivery suite around 4.15pm and gave birth at 5.32pm. The midwife I had was brilliant, she pretty much sat back and only got involved when she could tell I was loosing control of my breathing and reminded me of the rhythm. I had no pain relief although I asked for gas and air but knew it was too late; I answered for the midwife telling myself this! Then my waters burst, her head was born and body followed immediately.

I had a small tear with no stitches needed. I was so proud to have stuck to my guns about not having waters broken as this could've put me on a different path!

I am extremely happy with my birthing experience, even though I didn't get to do it at home. I felt like superwoman and trusted my body to do it's job! I feel this confidence in me was down to completing the online hypnobirthing course which I will forever highly recommend to everyone. I felt empowered to make my own decisions and take control of my labour journey.