This wonderful birth story was sent in by Jen, a first time Mum hoping for a natural birth at Darent Valley birth centre:
I went into labour at 37+2 weeks and with this being our first baby and also having not experienced braxton hicks during pregnancy, it’s fair to say my husband and I were taken by surprise. Thankfully we did have the hospital bag packed at 36 weeks!
To prepare for the birth we made sure we were as informed as possible, attended antenatal classes and I also enjoyed going to my weekly pregnancy yoga classes in Dartford with Bloom and Flow. I was fortunate to have a straightforward pregnancy and my preference was to give birth in the Birth Centre at Darent Valley Hospital. On the evening of Friday 1st November I started having contractions and by in the early hours of Saturday morning we had made our way to the Birth Centre. One of the midwives was waiting for us and she showed us to our room. She examined me and told me I was 1cm dilated which I took as a huge positive because I knew baby was on their way.
In terms of pain relief I had dihydrocodine and paracetamol tablets, used my TENS machine, had sterile water injections to help with my back pain, pethidine so that I could get some rest and gas and air whilst pushing. Later that day after the pethidine had worn off I had gone from 4cm to 10cm dilated. As I sat up from the bed my waters broke so I moved to another larger room to start pushing, and after 1 hour 20 minutes of pushing our baby was born.
The midwife passed baby under my legs to me and I saw we had a beautiful baby boy. This was such a magical moment! He arrived on Saturday 2nd November (37+3 weeks) weighing 5lbs 13ozs and we named him Zachary. I opted for active management for the delivery of my placenta to reduce the risk of heavy bleeding and this all went smoothly. My husband was the most amazing support to me throughout – Setting up my TENS machine, rubbing my back during every contraction, cutting up chicken so I could eat between contractions and being by my side whilst pushing (he probably should have brought some ear plugs!).
During the time we spent on the Birth Centre ward we found the team to be wonderful, including being a great support with breastfeeding. Upon reflection I couldn’t have wished for the birth of our son to have gone any better. The 3 of us are all doing well and looking forward to a very special Christmas!
Thanks,
Jen
