Advanced Maternal Age; Zoe’s Birth Story

Zoe was 42 when she had her second baby, and this is classified by the NHS as “advanced maternal age” (previously termed geriatric). Zoe was recommended an induction due to advanced maternal age and Group B Strep. She used EBRAN on multiple occasions to make choices that were right for her and her baby. When she accepted induction she felt empowered and in control. Zoe had a water birth.

The online course was such a great help on my hypnobirthing journey. Here’s my story.

Advanced Maternal Age

I’d had an uncomplicated pregnancy. Due to my age 42 (classified as “advanced maternal age”) and having GBS I was offered an induction at 40 weeks, which declined. I did opt for a sweep at 41 weeks which didn’t do much, I was 2cm dilated. My community midwife booked me in for an induction appointment at 40+10. I was determined not to have an induction as I had one 3 years ago with my first and I did not want to go through that experience again. Induction lead to Pethidine, lead to epidural to forceps to episiotomy and to theatre to have my placenta removed. This is why I was practicing hypnobirthing this time and came across the TBTBC course.

Induction Appointment and using EBRAN

At my induction appointment they were ready to go full steam ahead. I had to stop them to explain the only reason I was there was to talk about my options. This seemed to annoy the younger registrar, who laid it on thick with all the scary statistics, which I was aware of thanks to the course and my own research. I used EBRAN. I opted for another sweep and was 2cm dilated.

After I went home to see if it got the ball rolling. Now I was getting regular tightness and cramps I called the labour ward they asked me to go in to see if it was the start of early labour. The midwife was great, gave me some aromatherapy. She sat down with me and asked my why I didn’t want induction. I relayed my last experience. She went and got my notes from my previous birth and went through them with me step by step. It was so interesting as there were events I hadn’t realised or forgotten. As nothing was happening I left the hospital.

Using EBRAN again

Due back in PAU the following morning to monitor baby. The midwife on duty that morning was also amazingly understanding. She suggested that I spoke with on duty consultant about my concerns regards induction. Who was also very understanding. She suggested that I have an exam at 4 hours and if labour wasn’t established enough but all was still ok she could possibly extend it 6 hours before they started the hormone drip. As I had GBS that’s the maximum time she could allow. So that was hopefully enough time to get my oxytocin flowing and baby to come naturally. I agreed to that as I wanted to avoid caesarean which would be the next step failing a completely natural birth and the clock was ticking. I used EBRAN and felt completely in control.

Standing my Ground

I went in to the birthing room, which had a birthing pool. The young registrar from the day before came in and said quite smugly “Hi Zoe, so you’re back then” which instantly got my back up. She then proceeded to tell me her plan to get me on the hormone drip straight away. I explained that’s not what I had discussed with the consultant. She disappeared rolling her eyes. The consultant returned and assured me I’d have at least 4 hours before they started the drip as discussed.

Antibiotics and Waters Broken

The midwife gave me the antibiotics for GBS and broke my waters but commented on how tough the membrane was. In fact one of the toughest she’d had to break. After a fair few attempts she’d managed it I had my first contraction, closely followed by another. The 3rd that made me feel nauseous. After that I lost track they we’re coming thick and fast. I opted for gas and air.

Getting in the Water

The midwife’s shift ended and she was replaced with the midwife I had seen the night before, that had gone through my notes with me. She was even more amazing. She suggested I got into the pool, it was like “stepping into magic” is how I described it. My partner got my oxytocin playlist on the speaker and he was super supportive. A water birth wasn’t top of my priorities but once I was in there I was not getting out. Not even for my 4 hour exam.

My baby was coming.”

I remember all I could visualise was a cake fondant bag that’s used as an example in one of the course videos. Not all the beautiful visualisations that I had practiced. It made me laugh and helped me to get baby down.

Hello Baby

I could feel baby coming. I delivered my baby girl, Jasmine, 4 hours after my waters had been broken. A healthy 9.7lbs

I felt so empowered and happy I had stuck to my guns and practiced everything I had learned throughout the course.

Thank you Beth x