This weeks story is a little different. It has kindly been shared from a Midwifery colleague. We trained together at University and worked together at Royal Oldham Hospital (This is where I trained too, so much love for the Midwives here). Have you ever wondered what it is like to give birth when you are usually on the other end? Does it affect your birthing experience or are you fully in mummy-to-be mode? Kerry gives us some insight here. I have added some notes in purple to clear up the Midwifery terminology. But I have left terminology in as these are what you will hear thrown around your delivery room! Always good to have that knowledge since sometimes we midwives appear to talk in tongues....
"I was admitted for induction with reduced fetal movements at 37+1. She was already static growth below the 10th (this is referring to the lines on the growth chart that we use to track baby's growth) so they got on with an induction. Had a propess and hyper-stimulated (too many contractions) within an hour. Contracting 7:10. Os (Cervix) remained closed, high, unfavorable so they whipped out the propess (pessary for inducing labour).
It took 8 hours for contractions to settle so they could put another one in. Another propess went in and I still wasn't able to have an ARM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes) after miles of walking and bouncing and all that crap 😂. Had a prostin and 6 hours later could have an ARM. I was contracting 4:10, but there were no beds on Labour Ward for 2 hours 👍. I finally managed to get over there before I killed someone and had an ARM at 8.15.
I had no pain relief for a couple of hours and just kept mobilising and doing my best "normal" bit. The syntocinon drip went up at 10.30 (used to increase contraction strength and frequency). We cracked out the gas and air about lunch time then some diamorphine (the good stuff) which made me feel really strange but I didn't feel it helped with the pain. I felt like I was underwater when the sound is all distorted and muffled so I kept apologising for shouting and asking James to repeat himself.
Then about 2pm I'd been regularly contracting for hours. I had had enough after 3 days of induction and I was involuntary pushing but not progressing much yet so I had an epidural. It was the best thing I could have done as I just went to sleep. It took over an hour to get in but was effective until I got a weird window in my groin, not painful just annoying.
At this point the CTG went a bit haywire so I was reviewed and was fully (10cm)! About an hour after my epidural went in so it was obviously all that sitting up. They gave me half an hour 'passive' (passive stages should be given where they can to allow descent of the baby before pushing) which I argued about but they didn't want to leave the CTG.
Anyway I pushed after half an hour and she was visible on the first push (result) so I pushed for 15 minutes and she was born. I felt contractions enough to know when to push but no pain, winner. Anyway normal delivery and no sutures, placenta was fairly swift after.
All in all I felt like it was a positive experience and I was proud of myself. I went in with such an open mind, never wanted to push for one thing over another and just wanted a healthy baby at the end. I think that really helped my mind set and behaviour. I also felt really safe and looked after which was wonderful. Never once thought of things as a midwife just went with whatever suited me."
So there you have it. A midwives tale. And to be honest this was relatively uneventful in that we are known for some pretty horrendous deliveries as midwives! But you should remember that we are people too. We have gone through (or maybe will one day) what you go through too.
I personally think Kerry's open mind with regards to her birth is part of the reason she had such a lovely delivery. The minute you start putting parameters on something that no one can control is the moment you begin to lose control! A positive mindset and trust in your midwives will take you further than you could ever imagine!
Thanks for sharing Hannah's birth story Kerry.
Nikki xxx
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