Birth Story of Oscar

Hi Amy

We were part of the sessions commencing in January and wanted to share our birth story and thank you again for your incredible education and guidance.

I started having contractions in the middle of the night on Sunday 9 March at just 36 weeks which was very unexpected! We attended the hospital and the midwives and doctors confirmed I was having contractions and was somehow already 3cm dilated. Labour didn’t progress so I went home for a day or so. The contractions continued to ramp up each night and I ended up being admitted to the Mercy on Tuesday. I used breathing techniques to deal with contractions and did lots of oxytocin producing activities, even when in the hospital.

I wasn’t meant to finish work for another week but had to quickly wrap up and hand over on the Monday when I went home!

When I was having lots of discussions and tests with medical staff, Dylan and I felt well informed and knew what questions to asked based on all we learned with you. We didn’t feel scared or overwhelmed because we always felt like we understood what our options were.

Eventually on Friday 14 March after many tests and keeping baby cooking to as close full term as possible, my midwife and the doctors strongly recommended an induction. My inflammation levels were very high and they suspected an infection in my uterus. I was already 5-6cm dilated. I had my waters broken and contractions ramped up very quickly. I had a very small amount of oxytocin administered. I used breathing and the tens machine. The Freya app was really helpful for guided breathing and meditation. I asked for wireless monitoring and used the shower and dim lights for a while. I then used tens and the gas and managed for many hours with no other pain relief. I felt the urge to bear down and was pushing for a long time. Towards the end of labour baby wasn’t coming out and they were worried and a number of medical staff came in. I needed an episiotomy to get baby out but avoided the vacuum (that gave me the motivation to dig deep and push after many many hours and exhaustion).

Oscar was born at 7.30pm at 36 weeks + 5 weeks healthy and strong at 3.48kg and 53cm. Dylan and Mum were there and were incredible supports. I used the birth preference template you suggested which my midwife and the medical and support team were familiar with and followed where possible.

We did lots of skin to skin, made sure Dylan had time cuddling Oscar and did delayed cord clamping.

Other than some jaundice treated with the Billy blanket in hospital and at home, Oscar has been doing really well!

Even though the lead up to my birth wasn’t quite what I expected and was pretty difficult being in hospital for so long, my actual birth was a really positive experience. I am so proud of myself getting through a very intense labour with very little pain relief with the power of determination and the tens/breathing/gas. It wouldn’t have been possible without Dylan and Mum.

Importantly though, we truly believe we wouldn’t have had such an empowered and positive birth experience without your classes. We learned so much that helped us make informed choices and go into the process feeling confident. We really cannot thank you enough for your contribution to our birth experience. We will be forever grateful and would recommend Calmbirth to any parents!

Gemma, Dylan and Oscar xx