Catherine's induction in hospital. An amazing demonstration of using B.R.A.I.N.S and informed decisions
The Birth Story of Alice
Known Girl
EDD – 19th June 2023
Birthday – 12th June 2023, 12.49pm
Weight – 8lb 4oz
Planned – home water birth
Actual – labour ward land birth following induction
My first daughter was born spontaneously at 37 weeks and 1 day, 18 hours after waters breaking and only 11 hours after first contraction. So I fully expected another early baby this time and never thought I would ever have to consider induction!
This pregnancy I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes – I did a LOT of research, listened to the podcasts, read all the books, but ultimately didn’t feel I could fully ignore the Doctor’s advice based on all my own research, nor did I feel that I should confidently accept all the advice, I felt really stuck. His recommendation was induction from 38 weeks. I want to add here, he was never pressuring me, happily talked through all the facts and options, and never once did I feel judged for wanting to go against his advice. We spent a lot of time together discussing options. I agreed I would reconsider post 38 weeks (never thinking I would get that far!!).
From 35 weeks, I developed swelling in my feet and ankles – started out with what I would describe as normal pregnancy swelling, but by the end of pregnancy it had spread up into my lower abdomen, my legs were so painful and literally double the size they are now. I wasn’t able to do anything much more than lay on the sofa with elevated legs, and take short 10 minute walks.
Ahead of the appointment at 38 + 3, myself and my husband had a long discussion using BRAINS and decided that we both felt getting the baby out was the right step for us. I reached out to our hypnobirthing instructor and she gave me a lovely induction specific script, and after a few hours mourning the loss of our planned homebirth, I dived into doing as much positive prep as I could (first step of induction booked for 38 + 5).
I had chosen to have the Foley’s Catheter first, and this was fitted at around 3pm on the Saturday – it fell out at 5.50pm so I though things must be close. However, Labour Ward weren’t able to take me to see if they could break my waters and advised me to stay at home unless anything further progressed. I had a few mild contractions for around an hour but that fizzled out to nothing.
On Sunday, we went back to the hospital at 3pm (24 hours after catheter fitting) – when I was examined it was determined my cervix wasn’t open enough to break my waters and they would advise the gel as the next step (I knew what all the steps would be in advance so was happy with this route). However, labour ward were still at too high a capacity to proceed with any inductions. I agreed I would be admitted to the ante natal ward, to wait for there to be a space available for induction to go ahead.
At around 7pm on the ward I had some monitoring which was showing quite strong uterine activity, but nothing I could say I was aware of or would describe as tightenings. Due to concern over potential hyperstimulation, we agreed a period of further monitoring. Everything settled down, and at 4.15am a midwife came to let me know labour ward had given the go ahead for the gel. After monitoring the gel was then given at 5.15am.
By 5.40am I was getting contractions every 10-15 minutes, but was able to sleep through them until 7am. They were still very manageable at this point, and I was expecting to be waiting around at this stage until 11.15am for the next standard check. But things really ramped up from here! By 9am I was having to consciously breathe through contractions that were coming much closer together. By 9.30am I was using combs and breathing techniques, and decided to time some contractions out of interest. They were coming every few minutes and were intense – I requested a VE to see where I was at, as I was concerned that if I was in this much pain with nothing actually happening I was going to need some more pain relief! A few moments after asking for the VE I felt a pop sensation high up and dashed off to the loo so I could see my waters go in private – all clear so I headed back to my bed. Waters continued to go bedside and on examination at 10am it was confirmed I was 4cm.
I was in labour ward by 10.30am at which point I was having 6 contractions every 10 minutes, but was still breathing through/using combs through each one. Baby’s heartrate was slightly elevated and wasn’t coming down between contractions, so agreed to receive a drug to relax uterus temporarily. Contractions then settled to 3 in every 10 minutes and were very manageable still.
A Dr was present and asked for me to be cannulated – as there was no need for this, I declined and said I would accept them taking bloods but they were to only fit a cannula if one was actually needed. He looked at me like I had two heads, but I stood firm and said no thank you. He also said I would ‘need the injection’ for the placenta – again I declined. My midwife throughout this just had a sort of bemused look and was supporting me throughout – she was amazing.
At around 12.30 I said I felt things were changing, in hindsight I think this was transition! I asked for gas and air at this point. At 12.39 they lost the trace on the CTG and a second midwife was repeatedly asking me to get on the bed to be examined and to fit the scalp electrode. My husband was amazing just telling them I was completely against these and wouldn’t accept, and in between contractions I just kept saying NOPE. The second midwife wanted to give me the uterine relaxant again but my initial midwife just said.. I think we are going to have a baby!
Baby was born at 12.49 standing up next to the bed, it was all so fast. Cord was cut around 5-10 minutes later with my consent, and placenta came naturally at 13.05. The Dr who had been in earlier had a mild look of shock on his face when he came to see how I was getting on and I was stood there holding my baby!! He mumbled a congratulations and scurried away.
By 13.15 baby was feeding well and I had a second degree tear which was stitched.
Even though it couldn’t be much more different to the birth I had planned, I look back with full positivity and pride – we made the right decisions for us every step of the way, and having only heard horror stories of inductions I was really nervous about it. But if I were in the same position again I wouldn’t do anything differently!
Alice is now 3 months old and a very content and smiley girl!
I asked my husband to take pictures of the birth, and this is the only one we got… and I love it!
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