Elizabeths birth story - The coming of J.J.

April 22nd, 2009 by rachel - Tagged with birth pool, homebirth, hypnotherapy, obstetric cholestasis, pethidine, VBAC - Posted in Birth Stories

 

When I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided to try for as natural a birth as possible. I’d had twin boys in February 2005, delivered by caesarean section at 35 weeks. My experience of a twin pregnancy and birth was highly medicalised, with about 10 medical personnel present at the birth! At about 34 weeks I had discovered I had obstetric cholestasis, a rare condition where the liver is not functioning properly leading to a build up of bile salts in the blood. The most common symptom of obstetric cholestasis is itching all over one’s body (it can be very unpleasant and caused me to have trouble sleeping) and sometimes dark urine. I’d been itching for some time before the condition was diagnosed. Once it was, I was recommended to deliver the babies as soon as possible as it was believed that there was a slight chance of stillbirth (although apparently this is now considered debatable).

 

For my next pregnancy I decided to hire independent (private) midwives and settled on the Essex Midwifery Practice where three midwives work as a team. They suggested I consider a home birth. Given my previous caesarean I had not thought this possible, but I discussed the risks fully with the midwives (who do plenty of VBACs at home) and decided I would consider it if conditions were right. I did not mention this at the hospital at they had told me that I must come to hospital for the birth and be constantly monitored. I knew that this meant going to hospital would not allow me to have the active birth I wanted so I then became determined to avoid the hospital if possible! I took active birth and natal hypnotherapy courses and just hoped conditions would be right to allow me to put them into practice. It depended on whether or not the obstetric cholestasis returned, and whether a low-lying fibroid moved out of the way of the birth canal.

 

I started feeling contractions on the Saturday evening, four days before my due date on the Wednesday. The fibroid was no longer in the way and the obstetric cholestasis had not returned, so I was ready at home with my ‘birth pool in a box’. For two days I had contractions which were particularly painful at night when lying down (so not much sleep) and then would ease off somewhat during the day. After about 32 hours the midwife said I was 1cm dilated! Then after a further 20 hours or so I was 4cms and things kicked off seriously. My twin boys had gone to stay with their aunt so I did not need to worry about making noise or where I went in the house. I kept moving and used the breathing and mental techniques I’d learned in the natal hypnotherapy course. My contractions did not seem to follow the typical pattern of getting closer together and longer. My husband filled the birth pool and after days of contractions it was a real relief to go in it. I found it very helpful with the pain and even found myself able to doze a little. However, after a couple of hours the contractions started becoming further apart again and the midwives recommended that I get out and walk around, which I did.

 

About eight hours had passed since I’d last been examined and told I was 4cms dilated. I discussed with the midwife having another examination. She said she was happy to do it, but that I shouldn’t be disappointed if things had not progressed much. This was a low point for me as I had hoped things were progressing and I didn’t feel I could just go on with more of the same for a further eight hours or longer. I said I might have some pethedine so I could get some rest, but she said that they did not use it at home as it could cause the baby to be listless or floppy and they did not have the same means of resuscitation at home. I decided I wanted to know the situation, so I asked for an examination, and discovered I was 8cms. Soon I felt a lot of pressure very low in my pelvis and got back into the birthing pool. About an hour later my waters broke and I was ready to push.

 

During the pushing phase I focussed on using the natal hypnotherapy techniques, trying to completely relax between contractions and then push effectively with the contraction when it arrived. I did not want to use any gas and air as I thought it would merely make my mind fuzzy and cause me to lose focus. After a while the midwives commented on how much hair the baby had, as it was waving in the water when the head crowned! At that point of course I didn’t care, I just wanted the baby out now! The head emerged and then I felt the baby turn for the shoulders to come out, just as had been demonstrated in antenatal class! The baby arrived in the birth pool at 12:45pm on the Tuesday. The midwives told me afterwards that the pushing phase had lasted for one hour, which I would not have believed. In that stage you are in another ‘zone’ and the passage of time is meaningless. I would not have believed I could push for an hour but at the time you just do it!

 

I looked down, picked up the baby and brought him to my chest. It was another boy! Of course I did not mind then, I was just glad he was out and all was well. I cuddled him in the water for a little while he calmly looked around; he did not even cry until he was later taken out of the water and rubbed down.

 

It was really great to be at home at that point. After examining me and delivering the placenta, the midwives helped me into the shower and then into bed to cuddle my new son Jonathan Jago and have a cup of tea and glass of champagne!

 

I would recommend a home birth to anyone if the conditions are right. I found I was able to labour exactly how I wanted at home - moving around, eating and drinking what I felt like and making any noised I wanted to. I would also highly recommend using a birthing pool and natal hypnotherapy techniques. Although I do not have bad feelings about my first birth experience, I felt so much more part of every aspect of my home experience which was very personal, intimate and as gentle as a birth can be.