Birth story - Eva

I had been told throughout my pregnancy that my baby was ‘large’ and this had really worried me. I’m a bit of an over-thinker anyway but I was scared of tearing or of baby getting stuck & I found myself anxious at midwife appointments getting my bump measured to be told again ‘you have a big baby in there’. I spoke through this with Claire and from then on I prepared as much as possible, with perineal massage etc. I also refused any further measuring of my bump - I didn’t even realise I could say no! 

After being at The Stirling Birth School hypnobirthing course, I was really keen on having an unmedicated water birth. Armed with an array of hypnobirthing tools and a supportive husband, I felt mentally prepared for this - albeit a little scared of the unknown. 

I had a brilliant pregnancy & my birth story really started 5 days before I actually gave birth. I had my first sweep at 39 weeks and a second at 40+2. Following this I began having contractions, mild but regular and we were so excited thinking our baby was making an appearance. However this went on for a further 5 days & by the end I was completely exhausted - physically and emotionally. 

I was clear I did not want to be induced and wanted to wait until my baby was ready to come. However after an exhausting 5 days in early labour, I booked a planned section at 41+1, in the hope that baby would still make an appearance before then. This wasn’t my ideal birth by any means, but I came to accept that this may be the way my baby was to come earth side and thanks to Claire, I had already completed a c-section birth plan - just in case! 

I was offered a 3rd sweep at 40+5. At this point I felt so conflicted and confused, emotionally exhausted from 5 days of thinking my baby was coming, to again wake up not any further forward! I phoned Claire for some clarity and to talk things through. She reminded me I knew what was best for myself & my baby. I declined the sweep and instead, at Claire’s suggestion, booked a reflexology session. 

At 40+6 I went for reflexology and within 2 hours the intensity of my contractions increased. I was at home and in the bath and my waters burst - I couldn’t believe it. I was breathing through contractions which were coming every 3 minutes already, and stayed at home, at my ‘dilation station’, for another few hours before going into the hospital as the intensity again increased. I was contracting every 3 minutes for 1 minute at this point & they told me that I was only 3cm dilated - not the news I was hoping for! 

I laboured for another 5 or 6 hours like this, the tens machine was my best friend! My husband was breathing alongside me, putting pressure on my back, holding me and stroking my arm/back. I was eventually examined again, where they told me I was still only 3cm. My husband and I spoke, he reminded me of what I had hoped for but encouraged me to do what my body was telling me. Normally a decision like this would have totally knocked me - but I felt so calm & prepared with knowledge of what my options were. I knew I couldn’t continue to labour like this without pain relief and opted to have an epidural. 

Thank goodness for the epidural!! After a further examination it turned out there was another sac of water around my babies head, they released this and within a few hours I was ready to push! I was able to control the epidural and therefore I felt my contractions and knew when to push - I still felt in control and felt like my body was my own. 

I lay on my side with a peanut ball between my legs and my husband later described me as ‘in a trance’. I was so focussed on my breathing, going in for 4 and out for more, and within 30 minutes had pushed out my gorgeous baby boy - all 9lb 6oz of him at 41 weeks. 

It wasn’t the birth experience I had hoped for, but it was perfect and once my pain was managed, I felt so calm and ready. Any fears I had previously were gone, my husband was amazing and our midwife was so supportive. I honestly couldn’t have done it without the knowledge and support from Claire.