Birth story - Mum and baby boy

*Trigger warning* - Use of the word contractions (this didn’t bother me) and 2nd degree tear

Pregnancy:

My pregnancy was very much smooth and plain sailing thank God. However, during the first trimester I suffered with extreeeeeeme fatigue and nausea (although I never threw up during this time). Overall, I was very fortunate to have such a positive experience!

My husband and I started the PBC Hypnobirthing course from about when I was 6 months pregnant. It’s definitely something I would recommend to absolutely EVERYONE! It changed my whole mindset and attitude towards birth; something to be embraced and not feared. I also loved reading and watching positive birth stories (didn’t realise there were so many) and I think this is what really helped.

Labour:

A few days before my due date, I noticed that I was having diarrhoea, which was extremely strange as my diet hadn’t changed and I hadn’t eaten anything to cause this. I then remembered from my antenatal classes that diarrhoea or loose bowls was a sign of early labour.

I started having what felt like bad period cramps in my back from 00:00am on 11th April; I was having 1 consistently every 10 minutes and they were all lasting between 40-60seconds. This continued throughout the entire morning and afternoon. I used my TENS machine to get through these! They then slowed down towards the evening. I spoke to the hospital and they advised that I stay home as I seemed to be coping well.

At about 00:35am on the 12th April, I was having stronger contractions, again only having 1 contraction every 10 minutes. These became unbearable and so I called the hospital again if I could come in, but again they advised that I wasn’t having close or frequent enough contractions so thought it was best if I stay home. Once it had reached about 10am, I decided that I couldn’t stay home any longer and my husband and I drove to the hospital.

I had a vaginal examination and found out that I was a whole 6cm dilated!!!!! I started crying because I couldn’t believe it. I was admitted into the birth centre and given a room where my husband set up music, some comedy shows and snacks to keep my energy levels up. I had hot showers to help with the contractions, took gas and air and bounced on my Swiss ball throughout.

I started feeling the urge to push and so hopped into the birthing pool where the midwives allowed me to follow the instinct of my body. A few moments later and our little baby boy arrived. I had skin to skin with him whilst I delivered my placenta (after delayed cord clamping) and got stitched up (as I had a second degree tear).

Overall I had such a GREAT experience and that was definitely due to the PBC course! Thank you.