Birth story - Sarah and baby April

After a previous pre- term delivery at 36 weeks, where my waters broke before labour started, and because my labour started, but failed to progress over 48 hours later, at 7cm I was offered, and accepted an induction drip and epidural to speed things along, and regulate my contractions. Unfortunately, both me and my son developed an infection, and required antibiotics following delivery. My son was very jaundiced and we had problems feeding, and were required to spend almost two weeks in hospital following his birth. I had used hypnobirthing during my pregnancy with him, and whilst the birth felt empowering and happy, the bit that followed was hard, and so I really wanted to avoid a pre- term birth this time.

I was due 30th April, and so every week that passed by, we celebrated another milestone. And then we reached 37 weeks, and waited, for what felt like forever. I interpreted everything as a ‘sign’, labour was on its way and was becoming increasingly frustrated and fed up waiting. I re- read the hypnobirthing book and listened to recordings and held the positive affirmations in mind. At 38 weeks and 5 days I woke up at 1am feeling a little ‘startled’, and kept needing the toilet but felt like there was still a trickle and wet feeling. I put a pad on and noticed it was slightly pink and heavy and then I had a show. I rang the hospital and they asked me to come in, where they confirmed that yes, my waters had broken and they said I could return home, and needed to come back in the following day for induction if labour hadn’t started. They informed me that if labour hadn’t started, I would be transferred to consultant led delivery. I was disappointed, as my home birth had been cancelled due to Covid- 19 and staff shortages, and now I felt like a midwife led delivery was being taken from me as well. I remained positive and we spent the day trying to get labour started. I had a few modest contractions but nothing much.

I arrived on the antenatal ward, I was swabbed for Covid- 19 and examined at 3cm. They took some blood and discussed my options with me. It had nearly been 48 hours since my waters had broken and the risk of infection was increasing. Blood results suggested that I may be developing an infection and so myself and my husband used the BRAIN exercise and decided we would go down for an induction as soon as possible. We were prioritised for a slot due to the circumstances and we didn’t wait long. I was examined again at 5cm, and was experiencing stronger surges, but nothing much and the midwife went to prepare the oxytocin drip, but we never actually needed it in the end. Within minutes, I knew something had changed, I began to experience strong intense surges, which increased in length and frequency. I knew she was coming, and the midwife told me to just go with what was happening. At this point, I lost it a little, and knew I was experiencing transition. The midwife was trying to speak to me but all I could do was make loud (very loud) animalistic noises, whilst I allowed my body to take over. I repeated the affirmation inside, ‘the surges are not too strong for me, because they are me’ over and over, and with three contractions, my beautiful girl stormed into the world.

It was without a doubt the most incredibly intense and primal experience of my life, and one that will certainly stay with me forever. Total length of labour has been recorded on my discharge notes, as 1 hour 15 minutes, but the midwife said I was in actual established labour until she was delivered into my arms, in around 20minutes.

I would recommend hypnobirthing to anyone. You wont use all of it (I could not get my head around ‘up’ breathing), but the positive affirmations and BRAIN exercises really helped me adapt numerous times to the new situation and change of plan, feeling safe and supported and listened to. I would like to thank the incredible staff at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, for their fantastic care and support, both for April’s birth, and for my son’s.