Birth story - Lou and baby Ivy

❌ Use of “contractions”, hospital induction, coached pushing.

I really valued positive induction stories before I gave birth so hope this can help others. It's taken me a while to write it as I was dealing with postpartum anxiety which I wanted to work on first before reflecting on my birth.

My pregnancy was simple up until week 28 when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. As bigger babies are common with the diabetes I got extra growth scans. At 36 weeks I was told my baby had stopped growing, dropping from 50th to 9th percentile and that the advice was to deliver her as soon as possible.

At this point Covid restrictions already meant that I was at the appointment alone and had to make decisions over the phone with my partner. Despite the stressful situation I was able to use BRAIN to go through the reasoning behind the advice and my options. We accepted a planned induction for when I would be 37+2 as she would then be full term and at less risk.

Between this appointment and checking in for my induction my partner tested positive for Covid which meant he wasn't allowed to attend the birth. I'm sure you can all imagine the tears that followed that news but, I soon deputised a friend and prepped to meet my baby. I definitely credit the course with helping me feel like I was still in control even in this situation. The upside of the positive test result was that I got to be in a private room for my whole stay as they had to treat me as infectious - definitely helped with sleep!

I checked in on a Monday and I had a balloon catheter inserted around 2.30pm. This stays in for 24 hours then it's down to the labour ward to break waters and have my baby! Once it was in it wasn't uncomfortable and I pottered around reading, resting and trying to stay calm. I had a few wobbles, especially when remembering my partner wouldn't be joining me, but quick phone pep talk from him put me back on track. I had some mild period pain type cramps overnight but slept well.

The next afternoon I was taken down to the labour ward to have it removed and my waters broken. The midwife said I had progressed really well and I was already 4cm dilated - I hadn't even felt it! So I called my friend to come join me and settled in for what was to come.

I was able to use skills I learnt in the course to advocate for myself when the consultant visited. She wanted me in a hospital gown and cannulated straight away 'just in case'. I knew that wouldn't relax me and so asked to wear my own clothes and to only be cannulated if needed. I don't think I would have felt I could decide that before and it really helped me feel in control. The consultant gave me two hours to progress or I would be on the hormone drip.

Thankfully the midwife I had was AMAZING and totally on my side. I had to be constantly monitored because of the diabetes but she moved the machines and helped me get set up so I could bounce on my ball and labour my way. The breathing worked so well for me, the midwife kept asking if I was having contractions because she could see them on the monitor but I wasn't reacting!

I just used breathing for about three hours, chatting away with my friend and midwife throughout. I noticed it getting more intense when I had to stop talking while they were happening but otherwise it was ok. Eventually I felt like I couldn't cope and moved to kneel up over the back of the bed to try some gas and air. I got panicky during this move because I was worried I wasn't coping and I was only a few hours in. In hindsight this was transition but I just didn't expect it so soon! My friend was great though, and talked me back to green.

I had been on the bed for literally five contractions when I shouted 'I'm going to do a poooo!' The midwife suggested that it was probably my baby but I didn't believe her! I agreed to be examined and sure enough I was 10cm and ready to go! I stayed kneeling upright leaning on the back of the bed bearing down with my body. I've never felt such a powerful sensation! My body was getting that baby out and I did not have a say in it!

After a while I could feel my legs getting wobbly and I didn't feel like I was making progress. I agreed to lie on my back for a while and have some coached pushing. Although being on my back was a big no in my plan at that point it was a relief for my legs! I also had a great relationship with the midwife by this point and trusted she was helping me in the best way. I did then make better progress and soon she asked if I wanted to feel my babies head - how mad is that feeling!! It gave me the boost I needed to gather the last bit of energy and push her out.

She was on my chest and snuggled up to me immediately and I lay there in disbelief. It took just under 5 hours from waters breaking to birth and I was not expecting anything near that quick! We had to stay in due to tests connected to the diabetes but otherwise she was perfect. I had a few stitches but with a local anaesthetic and the euphoria I was feeling I hardly noticed the midwife doing her thing.

The last two weeks of my pregnancy were stressful - global pandemic, a dangerous situation for my baby and my partner not being allowed at the birth...BUT despite all this I still came away with a birth I feel empowered by because of the skills I learnt on the course. I was able to advocate for myself, stay calm, trust my body and have a birth that felt positive and peaceful despite the surroundings it happened in. I've been recommending it to everyone!