After posting questions on here when I was pregnant, such as what is it like to give birth, what are the signs before you started labour, if anyone had experience of birth following LLETZ and reading others questions. I just wanted to post something after I’d given birth. My DD is now 18 weeks old. I hope it helps just one person with any fears they may have
I was terrified of birth, on reflection it took over my pregnancy. Could I cope with the pain of birth. Would I love my baby? Would I cope. Etc.
So here goes.
My contractions started at 07.57 on a Wednesday morning. I hadn’t experienced anything “different” before my contractions started. There was no gush. They was no plop. I felt “normal”. Just all of a sudden a twinge. Followed 5 minutes later, by another.
So I decided to jump in the shower, do my hair, do my make up, shove on a dress whilst my hubby packed the car. I popped on my TENS machine and I called the hospital at 10am, I told them I was in established labour with contractions every 4-5 mins - they asked a few questions, decided as FTM, to call back in the evening
I called an hour later, at 11am, contractions were every 3-4 mins apart. Still wasn’t allowed into hospital. Hubby called at 12 as they were now every 2 minutes and I could no longer talk. Still wasn’t allowed in hospital, as they were sure I wasn’t ready so they sent my midwife instead to examine me
Midwife arrived 20 mins later, I was fully dilated, waters bulging, ready to deliver at any time. Subsequently, they blue lighted me to hospital and told me to cross my legs or face delivery on the side of the road! I have Strep B infection and had no time for the IV antibiotics
My daughter arrived safely at hospital by forceps delivery and episiotomy.
On my birth plan I didn’t want forceps or a spinal block. I had both! I ended up with sepsis twice in the weeks that followed also.
But here are my reflections on my experience that I hope will help others
1 I would do it all again, I said this the following day!
2. Labour wasn’t painful. It was uncomfortable. I had a spinal just before episiotomy. Nothing else before hand. I found HG worst for the first 14 weeks of pregnancy than labour
3. You know best. Don’t let someone who doesn’t know you, tell you your not ready to come to hospital. If you’ve had LLETZ it’s likely you could rapid labour like I did
4 For many, you fall in love with your baby instantly, I did. But it takes time to get to know one another. Then the overwhelming feeling of the need to protect your baby from covid and other illnesses kicks in!
5. You will cope.
6 What I didn’t think about, was the shift in relationship dynamics, that has been hard. Find time for each other. Know you are both tired. Don’t try and believe one is doing more work than the other
7. I never anticipated just how poorly I would be after birth, and just how long the recovery is for “down there”. I started feeling near “normal” after about 16 weeks
8. If you don’t get the IV antibiotics for Strep B, your baby will still be strong and healthy!
9. Don’t fret when you start losing so much hair after birth! Lol! You shouldn’t go bald! 
10. Enjoy every moment, even the hardest days, as time really does fly.
I hope this helps, if you are pregnant and worried or curious, I’m happy to answer any questions
Take care and enjoy your pregnancy x
Pooping during labour
Getting Your Baby Into Position For Birth
Struggling with my traumatic birth
34 weeks growth scan and baby still on the lager side
