Here is a fantastic, quick, first time birth. Sometimes quick births are unexpected and they can be just as challenging for mums. A lot of women that I have cared for who have experienced a quick birth felt rather overwhelmed just like Aimee. Sometimes they find it difficult to keep up with the frequency and intensity of the contractions. Aimee was brilliant and so was Eden, like her mother she was clearly showing signs through her heart beat that she was finding it a bit quick too. I have added some helpful notes at the bottom regarding her epidural saga.
‘Hi Emily
I hope you are well!
I just wanted to let you know that we welcomed our daughter into the world on 19th August at 10.22am weighing 8lb3.
Her birth was so unbelievably quick, I really thought that being a first time mum I would be in labour for days but at 3.30am on the morning of the 19th I woke up to what I thought was a contraction. Two contractions later and my waters broke and by 4am my contractions were coming every couple of minutes so we rushed down to the maternity unit. Edens heartbeat was really erratic at this stage so I was put on constant monitoring and couldn’t get in the water. By this point I was so uncomfortable I don’t think I really cared. I remember begging for an epidural as the gas and air wasn’t helping me but, there wasn’t anyone available at the time to do it. After what felt like forever (it really wasn’t) I was transferred from the alongside Midwife-led unit to central delivery suite where I could have the epidural. They gowned me up but, I was crying from all the pressure to push so they checked me again. I had gone from 4cm to 9cm in just under an hour so we sent the epidural away (possibly the saddest moment of my life. lol! I clearly remember begging him to stay and trying to grab hold of him in desperation). Next thing I knew there was a doctor in with us advising me to push. I was panicking too much at this point so they advised against the gas and air, so we were going all natural! I started to remember bits from the classes at that point and the stages of the baby coming which really helped and before we knew it Eden was here! I ended up with a second degree tear and quite an unexpected injury which is two very large black eyes. My blood vessels have burst in them, so I currently look like I have been in a boxing match! The Midwife’s were great (if a little shocked as they hadn’t seen this before) but, I had an eye doctor come straight to my room to check me over and I haven’t done any permanent damage. We were discharged later that day and have been enjoying getting to know our daughter.
Thank you for your classes, we couldn’t have done without them! They helped us both remain calm (minus the epidural saga) and really helped me concentrate on what I needed to do at the end.
Many thanks
Aimee, Ollie and Eden xxx’
Talking Babies Takes A Closer Look
‘I remember begging for an epidural as the gas and air wasn’t helping me but, there wasn’t anyone available at the time to do it.’
Epidurals are the ‘top dog’ of pain relief offered in the UK. It has to be sited by a skilled professional called an anaesthetist. Anaesthetists are also extremely important in a caesarean section. They cannot be in two places at once and a Caesarean section will always take priority over pain relief. You are usually only taking 30 mins. This form of pain relief is very invasive. A tiny hollow tube is inserted into a particular area of your back and then medicine is injected down it. To do this the whole procedure takes time and many measures are taken to avoid problems occurring eg. the risk of infection. With this in mind the patient needs to stay sitting perfectly still, whilst pushing their lower back out (Like a cat arching his back). This is not the easiest position for a pregnant lady to get into let alone hold, now throw in some intense contractions! Aimee also would have had to compete with the urge to push. Definitely not ideal.
She was so close to giving birth, hence why she was advised against an epidural at 9cm. At this point what Aimee needed was support to help her to regain control ready to birth. I am so pleased her Talking Babies classes were able to help her in her time of need.
Well done Aimee that was a quick birth but, you did it!
If you too would like to prepare properly for your birth like Aimee by attending a Talking Babies 5*, Midwife-led Antenatal course please click here.
You may like to also read:
- Maria’s Positive Birth Using Hypnobirth
- Gemma’s Second Birth Using Water And Tens
- Liz’s Positive Water Birth