Elisabete’s Positive Induction
Love reading positive birth stories, you’re in the right place…. This positive induction story is with Elisabete and the arrival of baby Emily. Elisabete opted for an induction as her baby was measuring big. Elisabete had an empowering birth, using an epidural as pain relief along with breathing techniques and support from her partner.
The big messages for me from this course for my labour was to let go of what you can’t control and breathing techniques. I’m so pleased with everything I learned throughout the course.
Choosing an Induction
I was advised to have induction around due date because at 38 weeks she was already measuring quite big on growth scan – we agreed to this. I was admitted to hospital on Friday 17th in the morning for induction. Baby’s head was only slightly engaged and very easily free so we had to wait for a scan to check head and cord position prior to starting any medication due to risks.
To read midwife Beth’s take on recommendations for induction for a big baby take a look at our blog here.
We had the go ahead so the pessary inserted at 3:30am. It started with low abdominal pain at 5ish am and contractions started on Saturday at 7am…I had over stimulation so started having 6-7 contractions in 10min constantly and never stopped all day. I had Paracetamol and codeine with no effect. No rest breaks between contractions so I really had to concentrate on my breathing. My partner was amazing at counting with/for me when I started losing it.
Contractions
As I was having so many contractions the pessary had to be removed after 11hrs. I was only 1cm dilated at that stage. Unfortunately my body just carried on with the same amount of contractions so I never had a rest all day. The medical team mentioned trying to break my waters but advised this would have to be very well controlled again due to risk of cord prolapse. My body and baby had other ideas than waiting for doctors and my waters broke on their own on Saturday at 6pm. The pain relief was immense once waters broke BUT my contractions pretty much stopped!!
The Oxytocin Drip
Next step was the oxytocin drip. I was so exhausted already at this stage that I asked for the epidural before starting the drip. At this point I felt I wouldn’t be able to cope if it was to cause overstimulation again and I wouldn’t have anything left in me for the pushing stage.
I had the epidural Saturday night and started the drip. All night either my blood pressure dropped or baby’s heart rate dropped so another sleepless night with IV fluids, changing position all the time (difficult with epidural on board) and reducing and increasing dose of the drip constantly depending on baby’s reaction to it. I was having regular contractions but no pain due to epidural which was working wonders!!
Time to Push
“Pushing was my favourite bit”
I was examined Sunday at approx 7am and I was 4cm dilated. The drip was increased as we were both doing well. Contractions increased and I was able to feel quite a few and a pressure feeling to my bum. I was examined again at approx 10:45 and I was fully dilated!! Time to finally push!!
Pushing was my favourite bit and she was born Sunday 19th at 11:18 with no need for any intervention!
I learnt so much from this course and felt I was aware of my options and how to advocate for us! Despite being completely different to my “plan” I feel I had a very positive birth and we were both safe and well!
Click the link for more information about The Bump to Baby Chapter’s Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Online Course. Know what you can do to stack the odds in your favour for the birth that you want. Videos, checklists, audios & a support group all created by a midwife to get you feeling excited, prepared and confident for birth.
