Birth story - Rhiannon and baby Evan

I am a FTM who was encouraged to have an induction at 39+6 due to scans predicting my baby was 9lb+. I used the BRAIN framework and asked every question under the sun, presented the NICE guidelines and asked for the clinical reasons for induction other than his (estimated) weight. There weren’t any. However, they did share a recent study that is expected to supersede the NICE guidelines which gave me a clear reason to consider induction.

After lots of conversation and debate, I requested a stretch and sweep, and asked for 4-5 additional days to go into labour naturally, accepting an induction date at 40+4. I was keen to be in the birth centre and to have as natural a birth as possible. I didn’t go into labour naturally and was happy with my decision to be induced.

My out-patient induction began with the pessary on the Thursday. This had fairly immediate effect (intense back pain and occasional twinges) but I accidentally pulled it out after 12 hours. When I went back to have it replaced (Friday, 3am) the midwife chose not to put it back in as the baby was very low, my cervix favourable and circa 3 cm dilated.

On Saturday morning (1am) I was called in to have my waters broken... it was happening! I laboured quietly on a ball listening to a mixture of Freya and Emma Kennedy on YouTube. My husband lit the room with faux candles and we had our favourite scent in an oil diffuser which smelled amazing.

After 2 hours, my tightenings were sparse so I accepted the syntocin drip. Not what I had intended but I was open minded and keen to progress.

My labour properly established itself at 8am in Sunday morning. My husband was great company, doing everything from repeating our favourite affirmations to calling out Grey’s Anatomy pub quiz questions! I would physically lean into him during the contractions and we breathed as one.

After around 60-70 minutes of 3-5 contractions every 10 minutes, the pain was starting to ramp up and my breathing alone wasn’t enough. I asked for gas and air. At the same point, I felt I needed to push. I hadn’t even been re-examined yet since the waters breaking so I thought surely not! I was seriously considering not having the gas and air yet because I felt there must be so much more to go.

I couldn’t believe it when the midwife told me I was indeed, ready to push, and the baby’s head was a mere knuckle’s length away! I was thrilled to have made it to 10cm dilated on breathing alone. Instantly I felt a sense of relief knowing that the experience was almost over.

The pushing stage was more complicated as the baby’s heartrate was not regaining between contractions. I had a 30 minute window to deliver him. The room changed from a dimly lit love nest to a busy, loud room within seconds. With 3 minutes to go, I had an episiotomy to enable the baby to be delivered as a whole, rather than in stages (without anaesthetic - no time!!).

And just like that, it was over. Baby Evan arrived after just 1 hour 48 minutes, weighing 8.85lb.

I lost a lot of blood and the next stage was also far from what we pictured. I’ll save people the details but importantly I stayed in my zone, kept my eyes closed, used the gas and air, and breathed deeply.

All in all, even immediately after the birth, I felt really proud of what we had achieved. What could have been a traumatic experience, an “off plan” birth etc, felt empowering, sensory and quick.

I’m still using the hypnobirthing techniques now - breathing for the recovery pains and affirmations when the sleep deprivation/overwhelm kicks in.

My advice for labour - be open-minded, stay calm and remember “this too shall pass”!

I spent the later stages of pregnancy preparing mentally and physically - practising breathing, reading positive birth stories, listening to affirmations and relaxation tracks and stretching internally using a product called Aniball.

You’ve got this!