Firstly wanted to start my birth story by explaining that I have quite bad anxiety predominantly focused around health so the thought of childbirth terrified me sometimes when I let my head get the better of me.
At 38+5 I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at an emergency obstetric unit at the hospital I was due to birth at. I was advised that I be induced a few days later as I was nearly full term and there was no point waiting any longer. I was extremely excited but nervous as in my head I thought I had possibly another couple of weeks before baby would have appeared and preeclampsia also scared me although I tried not to read too much into it. I was prescribed a medication to help try and lower my blood pressure.
Three days after 39+1 my emergency appointment I was brought up to start the induction process, you hear so many mixed things on induction however I would say I had a pleasant experience.
The induction process for me started with a pessary being inserted and I was monitored at intervals checking mine and babies obs, shortly after the pessary was inserted I had a stretch and sweep (not going to lie this was very very uncomfortable, possibly one of the worst parts for me) although it was over in a short time. The first day progression was pretty slow and I only started getting some cramps and mild contractions around the early hours of the following morning, I managed my pain with breathing until it got more intense and I was then administered some Co-codamol and again as it progressed I was given a morphine injection. If I’m honest neither of these done much for the pain although they made me slightly drowsy to allow me to get some rest.
The next stages of my labour were increased contractions that were coming thick and fast and the pressure felt in my rear was nothing like I had ever experienced however it was manageable. I was still on the induction ward and continued with co-codamol for pain relief and one further morphine injection. Throughout the day mine and babies obs continued to be checked. First proper examination of that day I was 2cm, then 3 then around 7.30pm that evening I was 5cm (at this stage I was using some gas and air) and needed to be moved to the labour ward as I was now in active labour.
I called my partner and we went to the labour ward as soon as a room was available. When I got to the labour ward pain relief options were talked over, I was very keen not to have an epidural as this had always scared me but I was recommended this due to the preeclampsia (something to do with oxygen) had I have gone for my preferred option of Remifentanol so I agreed to try the epidural. An anaesthetist arrived around 50 mins later and attempted to do the epidural, after 3 attempts I decided not to follow through with this as it was proving tricky for it to be placed due to tight spacing on my spine. I was then administered remifentanol and given some oxygen alongside this as well as gas and air. I alternated between remi and gas and air, I had a pleasant experience with both and didn’t experience any sickness and liked the fact that I was in control of administering both of these.
I can’t remember times of everything as I did go in and out of short bursts of sleep however I began pushing around 2.45am whenever I was 10cm dilated. My body instinctively told me when I needed to push initially and then the midwife helped me with more controlled pushing as active labour progressed and she really spurred me on whenever my energy was running a little low.
At 3.36am our beautiful baby boy arrived. I had a second degree tear but I was quickly stitched and didn’t feel too much as I’d been numbed and I had my beautiful baby to help take my mind off that also.
I had a fantastic experience and the staff were amazing. For someone who is scared to take medication, pain etc I was extremely proud of myself, in all of those moments your body knows what to do and you will do anything to ensure your baby and you are safe.
The whole process, pain etc genuinely wasn’t as bad as thought although I know pain relief of course played a part in this.
I hope my story helps and especially those with an impending induction.
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