Annie’s Labour Journey…

Annie’s labour journey starts on a Thursday morning, and we go into the hospital for a 39 week scan to double check baby’s health because we had an IVF pregnancy. We are told that baby’s amniotic fluid level was below the 5% range, and the doctor is a touch worried and recommends induction. Our midwife recommends a stretch and sweep on the spot to help start the process, but we decline as we are in a bit of shock, asking to do it on Monday. We wanted some extra time to process as we were hoping for a natural birth.

On Friday morning, Annie’s mucus plug comes out and we figure that was a good sign! Come Saturday morning as we are out for breakfast, Annie’s first small contractions start, and thank goodness we had the knowledge and preparation from Calmbirth.

We spend Saturday and Sunday cleaning, nesting, nice walk/waddles with our dog, and Annie has long hot baths. We practise our spinning babies throughout the day with nice relaxing music. Sleep is a bit short for Annie on Saturday night as the contractions become more painful and David manages to catch a few hours.

Come Sunday night at about 9pm, after a very spicy bowl of noodles, the stronger painful contractions start. Perhaps an hour or two sleep for both of us. Our midwife visits at 9am Monday morning, and she tells us Annie is already 2cm dilated and progressing really well for a first time mum. She does the stretch and sweep then and tells us to come to the hospital when Annie was in active labour.

We are feeling positive, getting through each contraction together – a lot of breathing exercises, swaying together, a lot of hip releases, jiggles and pressure points. Her contractions become more regular, about a minute each and 2 or 3 in a 10 minute block. But come 3pm, Annie’s left hip flexor gives way. We don’t realise what has happened, but her contraction pains start oddly lasting about 2mins. It turned out when her contractions finished, there would be ongoing radiating pain from her hip flexor and it was hard to tell the pain apart. Lying down at most angles causes sharp shooting pain. Her contractions essentially stop then for about an hour and she sleeps. With the hip flexor pain, Annie can’t sit up, stand, walk, or toilet anymore.

We call the hospital and decide to go in for a check up at 5pm. At the hospital, we are told that Annie was dilated 2cm or less now and because she isn’t in active labour, she could go home and return when she is. They can’t prescribe her any pain relief unless she is admitted and could start the induction process. Visitor hours are only until 8pm and David could come back at 10am the day after. Bleary eyed, emotional and sleep deprived having spent the last few days together going through labour, we decide that Annie needs pain relief, as we don’t think she could go into active labour with so much pain. The ward midwives are so kind and caring with Annie and are shocked that the max endone has no effect on her hip pain. We say our teary goodbyes at 8pm, agreeing that the silver lining was at least we could get some sleep now and know that she will be induced in the morning and have the relief of an epidural. We sob on the phone together at 10pm saying goodnight.

10.38pm, little bub has other ideas and Annie’s water breaks. Annie buzzes the midwife because she doesn’t quite believe it. Strong contractions start afterwards. 12.15am and David is dead asleep. He is having a dream where he picks up the phone and his sister is on the other line, saying Annie tried calling him because he needs to come down to the hospital. He looks at his phone: 10 missed calls. He calls the hospital and they tell him to get down to emergency right now because Annie is about to give birth.

He is driving, and gets to emergency, is running down the birthing unit and realises it’s not a dream. Annie is almost 10cm dilated at 12.45am. Our midwife comes in 5 minutes afterwards. Her hip flexor means Annie can’t turn, sit up, or stand. Because her labour progressed so quickly, it’s too late for morphine, an epidural, and a c section, and she only has the help of gas. Baby’s heart rate drops twice and the whole floor comes in to help both times, with the help of a pediatrician the second time. 3.25am, little Henri comes into our world safely at 3.34kg with a loud cry. Lots of happy tears from us as well.

We’ve reflected a lot and realise how much we took from our calmbirth class. Even on the rollercoaster, what we learned kept us both positive, knowing that so many women had gone through this natural process before and that we could get through it together.