Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown VBAC
Positive Birth Story, VBAC Story
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 Stacey for her story…
My positive lockdown birth story
I had a planned section with my firstborn in 2016 as there were concerns she may have brittle bones and may be hurt by a vaginal delivery, she was also breech (turned out to be an osteocondroma which had been seen on an ultrasound).
This time I was keen for a VBAC but wanted to feel in control by understanding what would be happening to my body and learning how I could help myself. I didn’t hear many positive birth stories from friends so joined Birth-ed Online Hypnobirthing Course as the nearest hypnobirthing class was an hour away and with having a little one already it made attending difficult. The cost of the classes were also a factor.
I was not overly worried about corona virus affecting the way I had hoped to birth (although my partner was extremely anxious about the virus in general) until I found out the hospital I was attending was not allowing anyone to use the birth pool or bath as pain relief. I had discussed a waterbirth with my obstetrician at my 32 week appointment and she had agreed to it with wireless continuous monitoring. This disappointed me but I was glad to know it was not an option before I arrived on the day so I would advise being as informed about changes to normal practice as much as possible to avoid throwing you a curve ball when you need it least!
Labour begins
I started with cramping in the morning of Sunday 5th April. Cramps continued all day but not painful. Eased off at 9pm and went to bed. Woke at 1pm by painful contractions, increased frequency until 4am when were 3 min apart. Set off to hospital which is 55 min away on rural l roads but when got in the car the contractions spread out significantly. We continued to the hospital as wanted to be seen by a midwife.
Only my partner was allowed as a birth partner and had to wash our hands on arrival at the delivery suite. I was shown to a delivery room and my partner was asked to go to a waiting room while they checked if I was in established labour but only 1-2cm dilated. I had a sleep then bounced on a ball for an hour until 7.30am while my partner remained in the waiting room but regular contractions did not return. We decided to return home and wait together.
Contractions continued on Monday 6th April (due date) and Monday night but nowhere near the frequency required. Eased off on Tuesday 7th April and had the morning asleep and afternoon reading a book. They returned Tuesday night and were approx 10 min apart from Tuesday bedtime until 2am Thursday morning (27 hours!!) when frequency started increasing again. Set off to the hospital at 7.30am when they had been under 3 min apart for an hour.
Waters broke as got in the car. Journey awful when travelling round the bends with a contraction! Got to the hospital around 8.30am and had to use a wheelchair to get to the delivery suite. Contractions really frequent, struggled to get changed into a nightie as was in the room by myself and the pain of the contractions was so strong. Everyone who entered our room was wearing a disposable gown and face mask which they wore before entering the room. When they left the room they disposed of the PPE and washed their hands. Midwife came back and got the gas and air set up and that made loads of difference, I felt such a relief.
Got booked in and at first examination maybe 45 min later was 8cm dilated. Carried on using gas and air until 10cm dilated, less painful than times at home. Had only a couple of urges to push but waited an hour with down breathing. Tried a few different positions but weren’t having many urges and they gave me IV fluids and another examination and while midwife said she was happy, the clock seemed to be on for a Syntocinon drip or forceps/ventose as occasionally baby’s heart rate changed.
I felt fine and was desperate to avoid intervention so popped off the bed, did a few squats to bring on another contraction then pushed harder than ever. After 15 min her head was out but then was waiting about 5 min for another contraction to get her shoulders out. I’m not sure that in the end I didn’t just push without one to get her out! She went on my chest straight away for an hour while the midwife gave me some stitches - think there were 2 grazes and maybe 4 stitches. The pain of wiping the area, putting anaesthetic in and doing the stitches was one of the worst bits.
We were not allowed to leave the delivery room at any time during the labour (or rather you could leave but you would not be allowed back in so make sure you have everything you will need with you for an extended stay).
We remained in the delivery suite hoping to go home that night but the paediatric team wanted the bilirubin test repeating the next day so at 1.30am my partner left and we knew he would not be allowed to see us again until we left the hospital. The baby and I moved to a room on the ward after lunch the next day as the delivery room was required. I didn’t chat to any other patients on the ward to reduce our chance of exposure to the virus, just relaxed in our room which was peaceful. The bilirubin test was repeated a 3rd time for good measure and we were finally good to go!
My partner had to come to the front door of the ward where a nurse carried my bags out to him wearing PPE and brought the car seat back in. When we left the hospital there was a security guard on the entrance checking people in and out. It was extremely quiet in the corridors.
I didn’t find the changes to the birthing process due to coronavirus too difficult.
The tools from the hypnobirthing course helped me focus on ‘control what I can, let go of what I can’t’. I used the up and down breathing, relaxation scripts, relaxing music, kept the lighting dim and photos of my favourite people close by. The midwives were amazing and I felt strong and supported during my positive birth experience.
Quinn was born at 16:34 on 9/4/20 weighing 6lb 12oz.
Thanks for the course Megan, I will be recommending it to anyone who expresses an interest in hypnobirthing to me!
Love Stacey
Are you ready to prepare for a positive birth like Stacey? Why not join us for the birth-ed® Online Hypnobirthing & Antenatal course like she did!