Birth story - Stephanie and baby Charlotte

*Trigger warning* - post partum haemorrhage, previous loss, retained placenta.

I had a rough 2021 with a miscarriage in January and a ruptured ectopic in July, losing my right tube and had a blood transfusion. I was pregnant again by October 2021 and it was certainly an anxious ride. I had a really good first pregnancy and birth (search my name for first story) so wanted to be so excited but took until at least week 24 to relax a bit.

My pre natal care was really good. I was part of a new continuity team in my area, had the same midwives for all but one appt and most appointments were at home.

I woke up at 02:30 on 3/7/22 with some period pain type cramps

Started the Freya app at 03:30 just to see and they were pretty regular but not too intense at that point.

Woke my husband up at 05:30 and text the in laws to come over.

Things slowed down as I was aware that my 3 year old was about to wake up at 7. Got her up and dressed and MIL took her to theirs for breakfast/sleep over.

I went back into bed with the curtains closed, sniffing my clary sage and affirmations playing to help ramp it up. I rocked in the the ball and crab walked the stairs quite a bit in this time too.

Lost my mucus plug around 10am and contractions were getting more intense and regular. Used my tens machine and loved the boost button.

Husband was putting the pressure on to go to hospital but I still wasn’t convinced. They scare you a bit saying the second will come quicker so it makes you doubt yourself.

Went in and got checked over at 11am. 2-3cm and cervix still long so we stopped at Sainsburys to get some lunch, and the contractions were getting hard to manage waiting in the car.

They continued to ramp up at home. Ate my lunch in between contractions to fuel up. Rang labour line again and she advised to go back in. They nearly sent me to another hospital as it was busy but as I’d already been in once they accepted me back thankfully.

Back to the hospital for 2pm, and I was having to stop for the contractions along the way to the ward. Checked over and now a good 4cm. Taken straight to the pool room and got onto the gas and air.

The pool room has lovely mood lighting, blinds down and I stuck on my music. I was standing the whole time, using my husband to hold onto during contractions. I kept reminding myself that each contraction was getting me closer to my baby and tried visualise my cervix opening. I had to be reminded to relax my shoulders and I’d visualise blowing the sea in and out on the shore to maintain my breathing.

I was lucky to be part of the new continuity team so I had met my midwife in the community already. It wasn’t my main named midwife but she had carried out one of my check ups which was really nice.

I writhed around like this for about an hour on dry land remaining on my feet the whole time. I got them to raise the bed so I could lean over that too. I spent my first labour on my knees so this was quite different.

Got into the water as soon as I could. The relief was wonderful. Stayed on the gas and air just wriggling around the pool.

Not long after I could start the feel a bit more pressure and after about 30 mins my waters popped. I had to ask if that’s what it was as it was a strange sensation. At my 1st birth my waters were popped for me (by accident).

I instantly felt a huge amount of pressure/head and had a moment of panic as I suddenly realised what it was like to birth the head. I looked up at my husband and said ‘SH*T, things are about to get sh*t’. I hadn’t even had a chance to contemplate what was going on and suddenly felt this huge descent. The midwife took the gas and air off me, reminded me to slow down and feel for my baby. I was in absolute disbelief that my baby was here and was annoyed she’d taken my beloved gas and air. But yes, there was my baby’s head and within seconds the body was born at 16:12 (just two hours after arriving at the hospital) with a 2 minute second stage recorded. My first birth (search my name in the group for the full story) was quite a bit longer and I needed a lot of coaching to push which I did for 1 hour 40. I didn’t even really have the ring of fire this time.

I was able to lift my baby out the water myself and bring her up to my chest despite a short cord. I couldn’t believe how intense and quick that birthing moment was. I have never believed these women who said they didn’t push but now I get it.

My husband missed seeing the actual moment she flew out as the midwife made him run for the buzzer (which I’m slightly annoyed about). I know that they have protocols but what’s one more minute?

We had some skin to skin, waited for the cord to stop pulsing which was quite quick. Blood loss was ok at this point but I agreed to get out of the water to deliver my placenta due to a previous retained placenta. Had the injection to encourage it out. Had some more skin to skin and a feed but it just wasn’t coming.

Unfortunately things took a turn and I started haemorrhaging. My first placenta had retained but didn’t haemorrhage and I just waited calmly for theatre to be ready. This time, the buzzer was pushed and within seconds 10+ people were in the room and I was taken to theatre and put under. It was pretty scary (and the PTSD from the ectopic rupture last year definitely came to mind) but I knew I was in good hands and my husband was able to give her skin to skin and some of my colostrum.

I came around and recovered pretty well from the anaesthetic and was able to hold my baby after a short time. Had some toast and was able to get up and have a shower too. This felt so good.

I spent a few days on the ward due to baby having jaundice but my recovery was really good and I didn’t need a blood transfusion this time which was a relief.

Can’t thank the PBC enough for supporting both my births. It really does give you the positive mindset required before and after to handle anything that’s thrown at you.

Ps I’m a photographer so got my camera all set up for hubby. I was only in the hospital 2 hours before birth so didn’t get as many photos as I would have liked.