Birth story - Paige and baby Violet

My "due date" was 17th November 2021. On this day I had a sweep which revealed my cervix was closed and hard. As a result of this I was booked in for an induction of labour for if, and when, I hit 41 weeks 2 days, which we did not want at all!

A week had passed and there was no change so I had another sweep on 24th November which revealed the same. Closed and hard. 24 hours after this I started getting strong period pains, we soon realised these were contractions as they were consistently every 20 minutes. I slept after a bath but woke up in the night as these pains were stronger, I found myself breathing through them, in for 4 out for 8. They were 3 in around 12 minutes.

We drove to the hospital for a check which revealed I wasn't dilated and my cervix was only thinning. The midwife said that I would probably still end up getting induced which was booked for 48 hours later.

For the next 2 days after this I was contracting consistently, I couldn't really do much other than focus on my breathing. I decided to stay at home and deal with these pains as I felt I was coping well, I spent most of my time in warm baths. And found I couldn't really lie down in bed as the pain was noticeably worse.

Sunday morning arrived and we headed up to the hospital with our bags for the scheduled induction. Walking up to the delivery suite I was contracting very regular and strong. As soon as we checked in the midwifes noticed and checked me over pretty quick which revealed I was 3cm dilated and didn't need to be induced, we were told we would be taken down to birth suite as soon as possible. This was the most amazing news for both of us. The worry I was having floated away as I knew I would get my chance at having a natural birth.

2 hours passed we were took to the most beautiful room, with a large birthing pool, dim and coloured LED lights, an air bed, lots of active equipment, air diffusers, built in speakers etc. It was the dream birthing room. On my next check I was 5cm and my waters broke just after this.

I got in the pool with some gas and air at around 1pm. Breathing though my contractions, using gas and air every now and then. I didn't use this on every breath as I felt it made my body and mind lose focus. Fast forward to around 5pm still in pool and I had a strong urge to poo, I now know this was my time to push. My body did it for me which I found truly amazing.

My partner was at the top end with me supporting my body as I was pushing and my mum was at the other end. and she could see my baby girl coming in and out on each contraction. By then an hour and 15 minutes had passed and my midwife wanted to assist which meant I had to get out of the pool. I couldn't wee no matter how I tired so a catheter was fitted which emptied out alot of urine, then it was time to push again.

I was positioned on my knees leaning over the back of the bed. Pushing with all of my strength I did this for 1hr and 55 minutes. Moments before doctors were to intervene my beautiful baby girl Violet Lee came into the world weighing 6lb 10. The most beautiful, amazing, surreal experience. Its true what they say, the pain disappeared as soon as she arrived and in that moment I knew I'd do it 100 times over to have her here with me.

Thankyou the Positive Birth Company for giving me a positive outlook on labour, it was actually an enjoyable experience and I can't wait to do it again.