A positive induction: Hattie Jean’s birth story
Despite having gestational diabetes my pregnancy was relatively straightforward. I managed to control it with changes to my diet and this was actually a benefit as it helped me not put on too much weight. Our NCT classes were cancelled due to coronavirus and we were so happy we found Happy Parents. Happy Baby antenatal classes online, because they were run by a whole team of experts, which really appealed to us. The team helped explain all our options and we never had any routes pressed on us which I know friends found a big negative with other courses.
At my 37 week scan I was advised that the baby had grown quite large so we discussed options for induction at 38 weeks or a c-section at 39 weeks. I decided to be induced as I wanted the shortest possible stay in hospital afterwards due to coronavirus. I went in to hospital on the Wednesday to be induced. I had been worried that Robert couldn’t be with me for this but it actually turned out to be a positive. I was given a pessary to start the induction and then it was a case of waiting for things to get started. Nothing much happened in that first 24 hours and had Robert been sitting there I think it would have been quite stressful and tiring for both of us. The fact there were no visitors on the ward made It calm and restful, I listened to my audio book and hypnobirthing tracks from the course and was able to get into the zone. I was also able to go for walks outside with Robert if I wanted to, I caught up on sleep and so did Robert. The midwives were really attentive, they made lots of effort to make conversation and were really reassuring and nice. After 24 hours I was due to be moved to labour ward but the hospital was busy so I had to wait a further 12 hours. Had Robert been sat with me all that time, I think we both would have been exhausted, but we actually both managed to get two good nights sleep. At 6am on Friday morning, I had my waters broken and I was given a drip to get the contractions started. Robert arrived and got to work making the room as calm as possible, he set up speakers and made it all really relaxing.
It was just the three of us in the room, myself, Robert and our midwife. It was so nice, the three of us felt like a real team. The contractions started very soon after the drip was put up and I wanted to stay as mobile as possible so used paracetamol and codeine at the start. As things become more intense, I asked for some diamorphine which made me feel really relaxed and I used gas and air for the contractions. I also used the breathing techniques I learned in the hypnobirthing session of the HPHB course. By 3pm I was having really regular contractions and just before 6pm I was ready to push. After 45 minutes of pushing, Hattie Jean was born at 6:35pm, weighing 7lb 14 oz.
We didn’t know we were having a girl, so it was a bit surreal to see her for the first time. She was really calm, with her eyes wide open, she was amazing.
Throughout the birth we were given lots of choices, the team helped us have as much control over the experience as possible. We opted for delayed cord clamping, skin to skin and Robert cut the cord.
Robert’s perspective
Robert wasn’t at the hospital for the initial part of the induction but we see this as a positive as nothing much was happening and if he had been there the whole time it would have been a long experience and would have heightened the tension. Robert was able to stay with Hattie whilst I had stitches and we managed to phone our parents together before he had to leave. I stayed in hospital for two nights to help establish breastfeeding and Robert was worried Hattie would forget who he was but I constantly sent him messages and videos and we agreed it was better for us to get things sorted before I came home.
It’s been really nice to get to know Hattie and being just the three of us in these early days. We made a viewing enclosure with our patio doors at the back of the house so people could see Hattie from a distance but we know right now her grandparents are really desperate for a cuddle!
Top Tips:
Try not to worry about your partner not being there, they will be for the important parts
Staff are as frustrated as you are with the restrictions, they just want to keep you safe, it’s not them imposing the rules and they will make your birth a really positive experience
Sign up to the HPHB antenatal course. It was really good value for the level of expertise. It’s half the price of NCT and you hear from so many qualified specialists. The hypnobirthing scripts and breathing were really helpful during the birth. The online format worked really well for us, it was really relaxed and you get to know others in a similar position through the group WhatsApp. We are constantly remembering little phrases we learned ‘nose to nipple’ springs to mind!
Bring your own toilet roll to the hospital!
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.
