Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Induction for 1st Baby
Positive Birth Story, Induction for 1st Baby
At the time of positing, we are currently on lock down as the COVID-19 Pandemic sweeps the world. This has meant we have seen some changes to the way our maternity systems are operating, and natural it’s left lots of women feeling a little anxious and unsure of what to expect. But here’s the thing, the way we give birth still works in exactly the same way! And the opportunity for truly positive birth experiences is still there.
Our new campaign #birthedonlockdown aims to share these stories with you so you go forward into your birth feeling reassured, confident and ready to have the positive experience you deserve.
Over to Charlotte for her story…
Just wanted to share the birth of our little boy Robin who was born on the 16th April at 11.06pm weighing 8lbs 2 ounces.
He is my first so already brought a lot of questions and fears with how to create and a life and bring it safely into this world. I was advised by both my sisters who had their first babies this past year about hypnobirthing and this fantastic course which helped alleviate allot of those fears and put them into a more positive frame in my mind. I made my birthing plans, well as much as I could knowing myself as I knew that I find it harder to adapt to change when I have something set in my mind, I got advice from those around me who had recently given birth and I started to prepare for this wonderful event.
And then covid 19 arrived. A scary thing for any of us that were suddenly considered 'vulnerable'. And like most, I read the horrific tales on social media about what were weren't allowed to do anymore. We were told 'you cant leave the house', 'no ones allowed in the hospital so you'll have to give birth alone', 'all staff will be covered head to toe in PPE like in the movies'. It was so important for me to find out the truth behind all of these stories because they terrified me. How was I meant to do this on my own with strangers who I couldn't see their faces?! But it was all simply not true. They are still here to try and make this experience as incredible as they can and to look out for your well being first and foremost.
It was hard having to go to appointments without my partner when he had never missed a step throughout the entire process so far. He understood but of course it was hard. It was hard hearing that the birthing centres were being shut and that slowly the things that I had put on my birth plan were no longer the safest option for me and my baby. But I came to terms with it by focusing on that very point. It was safest for baby. It was hard finding out that partners were only being allowed in for the actual birth but I was reassured, once again, that partners would always be allowed there as it has been proven that this makes birth easier and therefore safer.
Not one step of my birth was what I had originally written down on paper. But it was still an amazing event to be such a big part of. My little one took lockdown a little too seriously and came 13 days after his due date. I was induced on day 12 but they allowed me to go home so I could start the labouring process with my partner. I went back in the next morning for them to check on my progress and see if I would need further assistance. I had made some progress but not as much as they had wanted but I asked them if we could hold off a few more hours and see how I did. My intuition paid off and I continued along the journey. 3 hours later I had already gotten to 3cms. Another hour after that and I was at 4. I went down to the delivery suit and rang my partner to come and join me. Luckily he was too far away because within half an hour I was telling him I needed to push some trapped gas out (which he will forever remind me of i have no doubt). Turns out, I was at 10 cms and feeling the urge to push my baby out. The waves were coming fast, midwives were in and out of the room but they were all so calm positive so as not to take my concentration away from the task at hand. We ended up having to have a suction birth and a little cut to help him out. Again, the furthest thing from what I had planned but I was simply so amazed at what my body was doing with merely the barest of nudges from me and the midwives. I was just so ready to get my little boy out into the world so I could meet him. And it was so incredible watching him search for the boob and push himself into the right position to get to what he needed. The human body is truly remarkable it what it is able to achieve.
Unfortunately, me and Robin have had to stay in over night and my partner has had to go home. But not once have I been left to feel on my own with this. I cannot thank the staff, midwives, doctors and all other staff for going above and beyond to make sure that I felt safe and secure and keep me as relaxed as I could be.
Although these are scary times, I will always remember my son being born when the world stood still to meet him.
Want to feel prepared for a positive birth like Charlotte? Why not join us for the birth-ed® Online Hypnobirthing & Antenatal course like she did?