A positive induction: Freja’s birth story
Pregnancy was great overall. I developed gestational diabetes but it was manageable with diet only. Happy Parents. Happy Baby. was very informative, informal and covered a broad range of issues. The best thing about it though was meeting such a wonderful group of like minded parents. We - and now our babies - have made friends for life through this group.
I felt better prepared when it came to understanding my options relating to pain relief particularly. I had hoped to be able to give birth in a birthing pool and with just gas and air. Happy Parents. Happy Baby. also prepared me to expect the unexpected, and in typical birthing fashion none of my ‘plans’ were realised. Instead my waters broke in the taxi on my way into hospital - yikes. I had meconium in the waters and ended up being induced. I begged for an epidural - which once I got one was heavenly! But Freja’s heartbeat was beginning to suffer and after some 36 hours in labour, Freja was born in just 20 minutes, avoiding a last resort c-section by minutes. She was in shock and needed some assistance to catch her first breath of air but all was fairly smooth considering.
I think Happy Parents. Happy Baby. prepared us thoroughly for almost any eventuality when it came to the birth and the weeks leading up to it.
The moment I first saw my baby I was so relieved. And then very scared because she wasn’t breathing. She was just a quiet, limp little soul on my chest. That moment will never leave me. I felt like I needed to keep her as close to my heart as I possibly could. But I also felt desperate for someone to help her and she was whisked away by a midwife to get her breathing. The silence felt like an eternity but my partner tells me it was only a matter of seconds before she cried. The most glorious sound. When she was about to be given back to me, I passed out because I had lost a lot of blood during the birth. But once I came to and she was fine too, it was amazing of course. She is the most delicious little creature. And she’s ours. A total miracle. We still feel that way. We can’t believe she is here! The luckiest parents!
I would 100% recommend Happy Parents. Happy Baby - it was very informative in so many areas. Informal, well structured, relaxed and welcoming. And best of all, the other parents you meet. I don’t know what I would have done without the local group of mums I have become friends with through the group. We still meet weekly with our babies and we NEED each other. We depend on each other. And our babies LOVE hanging out with the other babies. And we LOVE seeing how our babies LOVE hanging out with each other. This gift of friendship is truly invaluable and for this we are forever grateful to Happy Parents. Happy Baby. Thank you!
Top Tips
Prepare for a journey like you’ve never seen before.
Expect the unexpected and don’t be so hard on yourself.
Be flexible and prepared to abandon ‘plans’.
And get ready for a life filled with the most amount of love, giggles, tears, cuddles and kisses you have ever experienced!
You can read lots more Positive Birth Stories here. We have positive birth stories from all types of births, including homebirths, water births, induction of labour, instrumental deliveries and Caesarean section births.
Download our free birth plan template and other resources for your pregnancy here.
Find out more about our antenatal and hypnobirthing classes in London, Essex and online and book your place here.
Access free hypnobirthing relaxations and videos to support you through your pregnancy on our Instagram TV page here.
Watch our free pregnancy and postnatal exercise classes here.
