Isaac’s positive birth story
Debbie and Adam’s Positive Caesarean with Hypnobirthing
Debbie is a lovely lady who took part in one of my Corporate Hypnobirthing courses. She was a real joy to work with and has been an amazing part of the group. Even though things took a quick turn into intervention, she and her husband, Adam navigated their birth experience with strength and positivity.
Developing Pre-Eclampsia
From about week thirty-two of my pregnancy I had been experiencing high blood pressure and some pretty bad swelling in my legs and arms. I was being monitored weekly and things were stable.
On Sunday 6th November, at 37 weeks pregnant I just felt rotten with headache and nausea and so I called maternity assessment. We went in to be checked over and after a few tests and checks we were told I would be admitted that night and that baby would be born in the next 24 to 48 hours as I had developed pre-eclampsia. After the initial shock wore off, I felt pretty prepared for what was coming, Claire had covered all aspects of birthing my baby and I had all the tools I needed to get through the next couple of days.
Prepping for Birth
Adam was sent home and I was monitored through the night; the consultants were having ongoing discussions about a section or induction. I was listening to their advice but pretty set on wanting to try for a vaginal birth, they agreed.
At 9am on Monday 7th I was given the pessary which led to some cramping, but Adam and I watched funny shows and we set up the room with my things and our baby’s first outfit. I moved about and rocked on a birthing ball.
At about 1.30am my blood pressure and liver and kidney function were not looking great, and I was prepped for an emergency section. Again, I used all the techniques Claire taught me to ask questions, discuss my choices and prepare myself for what would happen next. The decision was taken that we would wait and see how things were in the morning.
After 24 hours the pessary was removed, and the gel given. 6 hours later they were able to break my waters and I was put on the oxytocin drip. My contractions started to become stronger and more regular. I managed with my calm breathing and hypnobirthing tracks for a number of hours. Adam did light touch massage, kept me positive and constantly reminded me our baby was on his way. He was amazing.
After contracting through the night with the oxytocin drip, I was getting little, or no breaks and my swelling and blood pressure were getting worse. We had already discussed with the doctors the benefits of an epidural for pre-eclampsia and so we gave the go ahead for this, unfortunately my swelling was so severe they could not get the needle in the right position.
Using Our Hypno Tools
After a scan to determine that baby was back-to-back and with my health deteriorating the decision was taken to take me to theatre for an unplanned caesarean. I had already made it clear that I wanted an arm free, if possible, to hold baby for skin to skin straight away and the surgeon accommodated this.
I had built a good relationship with the anaesthetist at this point, and she explained what would happen, somehow in theatre between contractions, her and Adam breathing with me they managed to get the spinal in. The team in theatre were amazing, asking what his name would be and talking about music and silly things to keep us both as relaxed as possible.
Isaac was born at 11.54am on Wednesday 9th November. He was brought to me for second but then passed to Adam for daddy cuddles while the team dealt with some complications. The team still spoke calmly to me and although I was aware of more people in the room and some scary words being heard all I could see was my baby next to me in my husband’s arms.
I am proud of how Isaac made his way into the world.
I am proud of how Isaac made his way into the world.
Not the birth we had hoped for or planned for but thanks to Claire's sessions we felt educated to talk through options along the way and I am proud of how Isaac made his way into the world.
Debbie - Corporate Group Hypnobirthing Course