A positive unplanned c section: Aidan’s birth story
I had a high-risk pregnancy as I suffer from hypertension and polycystic kidney disease. I was quite anxious throughout my pregnancy but I was followed by a great team of doctors and had regular check-ins at the hospital.
The Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal course helped me get prepared and feel less anxious about my health, what can happen during birth, what are the things I could ask for and also tips on how to care for my baby. It took away a lot of the worry and the mystery around birth. This has made me feel more prepared as I knew what to expect and I know I could reach the HPHB team should I have any additional questions. Also, thanks to the HPHB course, I managed to get to know other couples who were expecting babies at the same time as me. The WhatsApp group that we were set up with meant we could support each other and share tips on a daily basis.
My labour was overall positive. Our baby came a little bit earlier than anticipated. At my routine 38 week scan, the sonographer realised that my baby was in distress and there wasn't enough blood going to his brain. I had to see a consultant who advised that I should be induced the same day. I felt calm and confident speaking to the consultant using the BRAIN framework learnt at the HPHB course. I was induced the same day and started having contractions the next day. Unfortunately, during the monitoring of the baby, we realised that they were still in distress - especially when I was having contractions. I started feeling stressed at that point but again kept positive and tried to apply the hypnobirthing techniques I learnt at the HPHB course.
I was taken to the labour ward by my midwife and we talked about having an emergency c-section. A senior consultant came to speak to me to explain the risks and benefits and once again, I felt confident with their recommendation and we went ahead with the c-section. From there, I was prepared quite rapidly and suddenly I was lying in the operating theatre. I was still feeling calm and positive and practicing hypnobirthing. I was excited to meet my baby very soon. I felt calm throughout the surgery and this is due to everything HPHB had taught me about what to expect.
The team in the operating theatre were all very nice and tried to make me feel comfortable - we were joking and I was singing to my partner’s playlist. It went very fast and in what felt like just a few minutes, my son was born.
The first moment I saw him, I couldn't quite believe it (even though I had 9 months to prepare haha), I felt so happy to see him and touch him.
Unfortunately, Aidan was taken to NICU the day after he was born due to a suspected infection and a low heartbeat. I was also not feeling great and had to have a blood transfusion, which was difficult. But again, I was trying to stay positive as much as I could and visited my son in NICU. There, I breastfed him using the techniques learnt on the course and it felt great being able to hold him and care for him given the situation. All I wanted to do was look after him. Eventually, 4 days after I gave birth, the doctors let us go home - it was such a nice feeling!
Top Tips:
Enjoy every moment of it as each phase - including pregnancy and birth go very fast.
Stay calm if you meet any bumps or complications - hypnobirthing and staying positive is what made my experience positive
Don't have any expectations around sleep once baby is here ;)
