Kate’s second birth wasn’t as straight forward as we all assumed it was going to be. Her first birth couldn’t have been much quicker! Following a previous vaginal birth it’s quite well known in maternity that the majority of second babies are uncomplicated. Kate had a very trying second labour. This birth is perhaps a little more difficult to read. At the end I have added some guidance on resuscitation to help you understand. When I started the Talking Babies Blog I wanted to share every birth story with guidance. I am proud of Kate and James and I’m honoured to be able to share their story, she has not dramatized her story to make it scarier she knows how powerful/unhelpful words can be. Instead she has kept her story real I have not changed a word. If you are expecting a baby she hopes you find this helpful…
‘Hi Emily!
Hope you are well? Just to let you know that James and I welcomed Freddie Royston into the world on 11.09.18 at 07.48.
I actually had a very difficult labour with him…
My waters broke at 6pm on 09.09.18 so I went to Poole to get checked and they confirmed this with me. I moved to the antenatal ward at 9pm.
My contractions started at 12pm that night but stopped!
I stayed on that ward all day and night of the 10th and eventually I spontaneously went into labour at 2am on 11th!!!
I stayed at 7cm for 2 hours wanting to push the whole time and the doctor had to tuck the last bit of cervix behind his head as I wouldn’t dilate anymore. Eventually at 10cm I started to push at 7am to find that he had gone back to back! His heart rate kept dropping and I was so tired. His head had become stuck (even though they could see it!). I had been wanting to push for the whole 5 hours!
It was decided to do a ventouse procedure in theatre with a spinal.
Eventually after having the spinal I instantly relaxed and he was born at 7.48 weighing only 6 pound 14! Much smaller than anticipated!
However he was floppy and unresponsive and had to be respiratory resuscitated for about 20 mins…. Freddie was taken to NICU straight away and thankfully although being slightly acidotic was ok! He spent 2 days in NICU (who were amazing!).
However he became jaundice just before we were going to be discharged so spent a day in a photo therapy incubator.
FINALLY after 7 days in hospital we were both discharged on Sunday and are both doing really well!! Lily is absolutely besotted by her little brother as you can see by the picture!!
Thank you so much for all the support and information at the talking baby classes as James and I both felt that it really helped us understand what and why everything was happening!
Best wishes,
Kate and James xxxx’
Talking Babies Takes a Closer Look:
I’m sure you’ll agree that Kate did so well to persevere even when it was extremely challenging for her. It was clear to see that the end of her labour proved difficult not just for Kate but, for her baby too. I am really pleased that Kate had a good team around her and Freddie. It must have been a very scary time for Kate and James during the resuscitation, minutes must have felt like hours! During a Talking Babies Antenatal course we discuss resuscitation. There are always so many questions in class I would like to explore an area of Kate’s story further with you:
‘However he was floppy and unresponsive and had to be respiratory resuscitated for about 20 mins’
When a baby is born ‘floppy and unresponsive’ trained professionals need to step in pretty quickly to help. Resuscitation is necessary in around 6-10% of all births. The degree of resuscitation required can vary massively from baby to baby but, most of these babies respond to stimulation (drying) and then breaths (or to professionals positive pressure ventilation). Kate’s baby needed this and it took him a little longer to respond.
Kate mentions that he needed ‘respiratory resuscitation’ for 20 mins. What this means is that his heart was beating well but, he needed someone to breathe for him for 20 minutes until he took over and breathed for himself. Following this along with his blood tests (showing he was slightly acidotic) it was recommended to Kate and James for Freddie to be closely monitored on NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for a little while.
Lets also take a closer look at gorgeous Freddie in this picture to the right. When you look at pictures of babies in incubators it can feel scary and naturally worrying. Let me tell you that he is being very closely monitored. He has a tube in his left nostril for milk to be given to him. Remember, he has next no energy in order for him to get better he needs energy which comes in the form of breast or bottle milk. In his right hand he has a cannula. The board and bandages are to ensure it doesn’t come out (we can’t tell babies to not pull on them!). On his body are three pads monitoring his heart. Attached to his right foot is a oxygen monitor. He has labels on both ankles and a security tag on his left foot. I hope that understanding what everything is for will help you to appreciate the importance of it all. I encourage you to look at these monitors and tubes positively, I’m sure you will agree that we are so lucky that all this and more exists in the NHS.
‘FINALLY after 7 days in hospital we were both discharged on Sunday and are both doing really well!!’
Kate and James thank you for sharing your story. I am so pleased you signed up to Talking Babies so you could understand what was going on around you. I wish you all the best as a family of 4!
If you too would like to prepare for your birth properly please book onto one of our 5 *, Midwife Led, Antenatal, Talking Babies courses. Click here
You may also like to read: