Hannah attended my pregnancy yoga classes in Dartford in preparation for her second baby. After a previous pre-term c-section she was classed as high risk, and was told she could potentially have another pre-term baby.
Background: Previous emergency c section at 33 weeks due to HELLP syndrome.
My birth story:
I knew I wanted a whole new experience this time round so when I started to have results of high dopplers and it was looking likely I was going to be induced or have a c section anytime after 34ish weeks, I started my research on VBAC’s and ‘soft c-sections’, the former being my preference. Most of the professionals I spoke to at Medway hospital were very supportive of VBAC’s, but given my history, were very informative about the risks I would be taking.
I took all of the information home with me and did my own research, before coming to a conclusion that I was happy to take the risks, given the stats that I was presented with. I started to draft my two birth plans, a VBAC, and an unplanned C section. Both of my plans involved prematurely giving birth so I had to be very open to things changing on the day, and that more medical interference may be needed. However, I was convinced to face those situations as they came, and to not be treated as a ‘patient’, just because of my previous experience.
I advocated for myself and I asked to have a meeting with a consultant midwife, who would ensure my plans were recorded in the system and on my file. This way if any emergency situations happened, they had all of my preferences written down.
So the weeks went by and I made it to 37 weeks, hurrah! I agreed to an induction by Foley Balloon, which is a mechanical induction method, completely hormonal free.
They inserted the balloon at 3am on the Thursday morning (I had to wait for a bed, hence it being the middle of the night), with the aim for it to be removed 24 hours later, but a miracle happened! The balloon fell out by itself the next day – which meant I was dilating and it had done its job – woohoo! Now I had to wait for a bed on the delivery suite for my waters to be broken.
A LONG 24 hours later, of mild contractions, and endless laps of the hospital. I was taken to the delivery suite and my waters were broken at 11:30pm on the Saturday night.
My contractions started almost immediately and the consultant midwife offered me the room opposite which had a birthing pool. I had opted out of any cannulated medication (I agreed to have one fitted if and only when I needed one, as I find them very uncomfortable).
The wireless monitor was fitted and I was in the pool within the hour. The next 3 hours were a blur to me, but a pleasant blur, I was in my own world letting my body do its thing whilst I basically floated in the water lol!
At 3:57am my little girl Rosie arrived in the pool (with the consultant midwife present for any precautions). I felt on top of the world! Not only had I had my successful VBAC, but I had defied the odds that were against me by being induced at 37 weeks.
I am truly grateful for all of the staff at Medway for supporting me on my journey, on both journeys in fact, because despite them being two different stories, I felt so safe with the midwives on both occasions.
