Sandy and baby Annabel’s birth story – a vaginal birth after two caesarean sections
It was whilst on holiday that I realised I could be pregnant. It was quite a surprise, I already had two beautiful children and after two sections I had decided I didn’t want to go through all that again. I did a test as soon as I got home and sure enough I was expecting again. I was very excited at first until the vision of hospital and a c-section reappeared in my mind.
The birth of our first baby was going fine, just not quick enough, my waters broke but no contractions followed, I was induced but only reached 4cm, after 48 hours of labour I had a section. I felt sad and let down by the whole experience, but two years later my second baby was on the way. Another wonderful pregnancy until I got to 36 weeks, I was told that the baby was breech.
I could see another c-section on the horizon, but kept calm and asked if the baby could be turned. My consultant said he would give baby two more weeks to see if it would move into a better position but I didn’t hold out much hope as there was hardly any room left now. I was told that it was far too dangerous and out of the question to try to turn baby, I just had to sit and wait.
I spent the next two weeks frantically trying all sorts of ways to make the baby turn. My check up two weeks later revealed baby was still breech, my blood pressure was on the rise and a slight trace of protein was found in my water. I had to go to hospital to be monitored, I was distraught and knew now that I had no chance of a natural birth. I arrived at hospital at 1 o’clock and Amelia was born by c section at 3.30pm. Once again I felt let down. I’d had no choices or a say in how things could have been.
Now, here I was again, my chance of a natural birth extremely low – in fact on my first trip to the hospital I was told I wouldn’t even be considered for a natural birth. I didn’t want to be there for another minute! My community midwife visited me soon after and she seemed very supportive. She understood how was I feeling and agreed to help me go for a normal birth but only with the consent of the supervisor of midwives. I was now even considering a home birth.
I was told a natural birth in hospital might be possible but I could face a big fight on my hands. I was going to have to be very strong willed and stand my ground in views. Unfortunately later my midwife realised she was going to be on holiday on my actual due date. My heart sank. She offered me another midwife who would support me. I felt things were turning in the wrong direction. The final straw was being told at my scan that I had NO CHANCE of a natural birth. ‘Once a caesarean, always a caesarean’ was my category.
I had recently read about independent midwives and decided it was time to find out more. After a number of phone calls I felt a real feeling of reassurance that I wasn’t on my own and there were so many people willing to support and give advice. I was given the number of a midwife quite near to me. I couldn’t wait to ring her! We chatted on the phone and agreed to meet up. I knew after meeting Kay that she would do everything she could to help me achieve a natural birth. She was now my tower of strength, she rebuilt my confidence and squashed any fears I had. Kay was my midwife and my friend. A home birth was now planned and I was so excited. My pregnancy went fantastically well. Kay gave me lot to read, videos to watch and endless advice. I was so confident I could do this, despite what the hospital thought.
Four days after my due date, my waters broke and the excitement set in! It was 8 o’clock Saturday night, I rang Kay to let her know labour had started. She told me to call her when I felt I needed her or to talk things through. Things progressed well and my contractions grew stronger. I called Kay again and she said she make her way over to me. I lay in the bath and tried to relax. Charlie
and Amelia were both fast asleep and I hoped that by morning our baby would be here. Kay arrived about 2am. I was moving around the bathroom, in and out of the bath trying to get comfortable. I felt the need to push. Kay reassured me that all was well and to try to relax. Time passed and things didn’t seem to be changing. I’d been on all fours which felt best for me especially when Kay and Dean both gave me a soothing back massage which was heaven! Kay examined me and I was only 3cm. It was so disheartening, I could see me heading for another section.
Kay was brilliant, she perked me up, told me not to panic, baby was fine, things were OK just a bit slow. I had to be patient to avoid hospital. Kay suggested Pethidene which might help me relax and sleep. I lay on my side on a beanbag and slept for about 2 hours which was wonderful. Afterwards I did feel slightly refreshed but the urge to push was stronger than ever. Kay examined me again, I couldn’t believe I was almost fully dilated with a lip of cervix that still needed to move a fraction. I was nearly there, the atmosphere was very exciting!.
I was anxious to push and couldn’t wait to see my baby. Some time later baby hadn’t moved much. Kay soothed me reassured me that baby’s heart was fined and things OK. She decided to ring her partner for support. Virginia arrived fresh faced and ready to offer some new ideas. I lay on my side while Kay and Virginia manipulated my hips hoping baby might move down into position. Then I would stand to try to ease baby’s head down with each contraction. This baby was hanging in tight! I was getting tired and just wanted to hold my baby. We decided to call for an ambulance and go to hospital.
It arrived in minutes and I was able to walk to the ambulance and although uncomfortable I managed it, stopping for contractions along the way. We arrived at the hospital and the staff pounced on me, eager to put in drips and prepare for a c section. Kay and Virginia were fantastic, they held their ground and told them I was fine, didn’t need a c section, baby was a good position and I was fully dilated. The staff insisted I had a needle in my hand just in case things didn’t go to plan. The decision made was to try forceps and if that failed then a c section would be inevitable.
This was my last chance. We went into the operating theatre, everything was set up. I was surrounded by all the people that really cared for what I wanted. I wasn’t going to let them down! When the forceps were applied and I had a contraction I pushed as hard I could and felt baby’s head move down. I remember hearing Dean say “Baby’s head is out”. I pushed as hard as I could once more and my baby was born, naturally! A baby girl 6lbs3oz, I held her so close to me straight away. Kay and Virginia both hugged me, tears from all of us! We knew we’d get there eventually. I stayed in hospital over night and Dean picked us up the next morning. But after many of the midwives and doctors had asked questions and frowned upon the way I had decided to carry out my choice of birth.
I look back nearly two years on and know that without the continuous care and trust I gained from Kay, my birth would have been very different. Her strength and determination my behalf in the hospital helped me achieve the birth I wanted and not what the hospital thought I should have. Just on my experience, I would highly recommend an independent midwife to anyone. My thanks go out to all the people who gave me support, help and advice throughout my pregnancy. But a special thanks goes to Kay for everything she had done for me. She played a very important part at that time of my life, and that special friendship that was built up over those months will stay with me forever.
