The Mama Perspective

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should share my experience of labour and birth for the second time around. It felt like something so personal, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested. But after reading a few birth stories from other mums, I thought, Why not? Maybe my experience will resonate with someone out there, especially those getting closer to giving birth for the second time. So here it is – my real and honest birth story the second time around.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like hearing about birth stories then you might not want to continue reading, but as you’re already on my blog, I expect you’ve landed here for content related to motherhood and so please keep reading.

During pregnancy

Throughout my pregnancy I was under the MAViS clinic in Manchester, just as I was with my first son. I have chronic high blood pressure (not related to pregnancy) so I received extra scans from 23 weeks to monitor baby’s growth and blood flow from me to baby. Jack was growing beautifully and there were no health concerns. However, it was still advised to be induced (again just like with my first), to lower the risks of any potential complications with my blood pressure.

I’ve gotta say, this pregnancy was a breeze with my blood pressure in comparison to my first. I only had a couple of higher readings unlike the endless amount of trips to triage with my first son.

So, during one of my antenatal appointments at MAViS, I was offered an induction at 38 weeks and 2 days in the evening which I happily accepted. I’ll admit – this scared me a little as I remember the pain from the first time round and having no clue what was going on.

Induction or no induction?

I arrived at the reception desk to check-in. The receptionist asked me to confirm a few personal details then took me to a ward. This was a surprise as I was told I’d have a private room as noted on the system by the mental health midwives team.

It’s getting later and no one has come to see me or acknowledge that I was there. Nothing but me, my husband, a bed and drawn curtains for the other three beds on the bay. It must’ve gotten to around 10:40pm when I began to feel really tired, especially as a mama who’s usually asleep by the time I arrived at the hospital! Danny wasn’t happy neither and went look for a midwife.

Understandably, the midwife looking after me had to prioritise another woman who was in labour. It just would’ve been nice to be told what to do – go to sleep? Eat? Fill out some paperwork? I don’t know.

It wasn’t until around midnight when the midwife introduced herself and went through my medical history – it’s so frustrating when you have to repeat yourself when everything’s already on my digital records! But anyway, I was finally given a cervical examination by 1am. The midwife explained that the preferred procedure for an induction had changed (rather than the pessary like last time it would be these rods put inside, 5 of them!) So fear kicked in and I said to Danny “I don’t know if I can do this.”

The cervical exam begins and a few moments later the midwife looked at me and said, “We can’t go ahead with your induction.” So, immediately, as emotions and tiredness had peaked I thought “Why the hell not?!” But instead just sat there in silence looking half awake. She said, “You’re already two centimetres dilated.” At this point, I was thinking, “Oh, okay, here we go…”

I was put on the CTG machine to monitor baby’s heartbeat and movements. The midwife came in after about 20 minutes and asked, “Can you feel those?” I was having contractions! I explained that I had actually been feeling lots of pressure down there for a couple of weeks.

I was advised to get some sleep and that I’d have my blood pressure and blood taken in the morning. And that also, I’d been put on the list to have my waters broken.

Poor Danny slept on a bare floor next to my bed with a cellular blanket and apparently a pillow that felt more like paper. I’m so grateful he was with me though.

Would today be the day?

As there was a waiting list, I was told that I couldn’t be given a definite timeframe but to expect a 2-3 days wait. We went for a walk in the morning and got some Gregg’s breakfast – oh, it hit the spot! After the next CTG and BP check later on, I told Danny to go home to get some proper rest as it wasn’t like I was going anywhere.

Around 2pm the midwife on the next shift popped in when I was mid-asleep and said “Hi, just checking everything’s okay.” So, I said “Yeah, just napping.” or at least I was trying to. I didn’t hear anything then until around 5pm.

I’m just lay on the bed chilling, pretty bored at this point but trying to make the most of relaxing. Someone walked in and said, “Okay Natasha, it’s time to go to the delivery suite to have your waters broken.” Me panicking, “What now?!”

Danny was just arriving in the car park when I rang him to let him know where I’d be. Luckily, he found me – there was no way it was happening without him there. So, I had my last bit of food, was talked through the process of having my waters broken, pain relief options, etc. I opted for gas and air and then remifentanil for when the contractions became more intense.

During labour

Keeping in mind that my first labour was 6 hours (induced) – I had a feeling this second one would be no different.

I didn’t really feel anything when my water were broken other than lots of of it gushing out soon afterwards. Talk about your dignity going out the window! I remember I asked the midwife when does it stop and she said, “When you give birth”. I’m sure you can imagine my reaction!

I wanted to be active so I sat on the exercise ball with a large pad underneath. The midwife asked me if I wanted some music playing and I said you can’t go wrong with Smooth or a similar station.

I can’t believe my first experience was just me and Danny in a room whilst I screamed for my life, to this second experience – having a midwife and a full team of healthcare professionals to monitor my labour and birth. Suppose that’s how it should be though eh?

It was happening!

I remember going to the toilet, I was having loose bowel movements for a couple of weeks but this time I had a feeling that something was happening. I said to Danny, “Right, this must be the pain starting, it feels the same as last time.” Only a few minutes later, I had to lie on the bed to feel more comfortable. And a little while after that, I started to breathe through the contractions with gas and air.

Oh wow. It was really happening. I was really going through labour again. But this time was much more positive – I had support, I had people listening to me, I had a birth plan, I was staying hydrated with little sips of water and juice throughout, and I understood what was going on with my body. I liked that I was in control more this time (combining gas and air whilst having the remifentanil made a HUGE difference). Eventually, Danny was holding the gas and air for me and the midwives were so lovely in supporting me and listening to me.

After the pain, sweat, tears, I felt the need to push. Suddenly there was a sensation running broth my body and I lifted my whole body up to push outwards. At this point, the bed was placed into a chair position (highly recommend by the way). After the rest of the team monitoring my contractions in disbelief that baby would be making an appearance yet, I pushed once, very loudly, and the student midwife caught him as he slid out. I’m not kidding, that’s what it was like. No additional pushes for the head, shoulders and rest of his body – he just came out all at once.

And within seconds, time froze. I waited to hear him cry and then he did. I held him and looked at him in awe. Another baby boy – my son. Officially a mama of two, I cried and smiled at the same time. There is nothing like it. I held him in my arms, still in a bit of disbelief that he was really here.

Reality hit, and I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous about how Freddy would react to meeting his new brother. But looking back now, I’m not sure what I was worried about. Freddy has been nothing short of loving and helpful – he’s already the best big brother I could’ve hoped for.

I’m proud of myself for bringing two beautiful boys into this world. And as they continue to grow, I know they’ll teach me more about motherhood than I ever thought possible. I feel so lucky to be their mum, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.