Elyse’s Birth Story

I had to be induced due to having cholestasis. Now, induction was the last thing I wanted, in fact I declined being induced as they wanted to do it as Maisie was measuring large in the ultrasounds, I used knowledge that I learnt at Calmbirth in that process also, to get other opinions, ask lots of questions and ask about when they needed answers instead of answering on the spot. Although my answer was no at the time as I felt confidence in my body to birth my baby, I wanted to ensure that declining induction at that point was the right decision for me.

Well, when I was diagnosed with cholestasis at 36 weeks, that was a different story, I was able to push back the date that drs initially suggested for induction and push it to the 38+6 wks which was the limit the Dr would go to, but with this, meant I would go in to get obs done twice weekly.

Nineteenth of May was induction day, we felt informed and empowered. Jake set up the room with battery candles, diffuser, all of my affirmations and photos around the room while I rested for a bit before the oxytocin drip started to have an effect. As labour started, I was able to get myself into positions that were able to assist to get gravity to work with me and Jake was able to assist me and give suggestions on how to get in better positions. We referred to the Calmbirth book a few times, I remember specifically a time where I felt so frustrated that I couldn’t get in a comfortable position, contractions kept coming and coming, I wasn’t having any time between them to regather myself and I just wasn’t in a good position, the midwife’s suggestions just weren’t working and Jake was able to step in and help me with one that we learnt in Calmbirth that worked really well and that I stuck to for the majority of labour.

Before Calmbirth, I knew that I wanted to explore as many natural pain relief options before getting to a point of needing medication. Calmbirth helped me learn more about the use of things like the tens machine, heat packs, hot shower, birthing ball and breathing techniques to name a few, these all come into use. I especially loved the tens machine, I would recommend it to anyone, I got through the majority of my labour with it.

Unfortunately, we got to a point that my body was pushing when Maisie wasn’t in the right position. I was being told to “blow the urge to push away” … we know that’s an impossible thing to do, this point of the labour was the most difficult, all I wanted to do was push, I couldn’t help it, it kept happening but I knew I wasn’t supposed to be pushing so this was the most important time that the imagery come into play that I learnt at Calmbirth… you actually mentioned in the class when we said we liked visiting a local lookout that that spot could be what I referred to for imagery. It popped in my head and stuck, I was able to picture myself and Jake at the lookout, we were holding our baby stood behind a table with a cake and a first birthday candle on it. Every time the urge to push come and I needed to blow it away, I pictured us blowing out the birthday candle.

I did eventually need epidural as the pushing was getting worse, Maisie’s heart rate was high and we needed it to calm down. I felt informed about it and confident that I had tried everything first. Within 15 minutes of having the epidural Maisie’s heart rate was higher and the Dr needed to do a lactate test, the result of that was a 6 and so the red button was pushed and emergency c-section was done. This again is where I used breathing and imagery, imagining my baby in my arms, although I was so scared and could have freaked out.

I was really surprised with my ability to go with the flow and just do what was needed to be done knowing that although things weren’t going to plan, my baby would be delivered soon, this is just part of our story. When Maisie was born she needed to go to newborn special care , I was able to very quickly say hello and give her a kiss on the cheek before she was rushed away. We spent 5 days in hospital and both had a few dramas, it certainly was not what I had expected or envisioned for us but I always had the opinion to go with the flow and always do what is best for baby, and these interventions and care at the hospital was what was needed.

We have also since experienced a few medical issues including a large medical emergency and long stay in the hospital of 10 days. Honestly, throughout the entire process I used the breathing techniques you taught us at Calmbirth. I also used imagery in these situations too as she laid with wires all attached to her head and her heart, I kept setting up the scene of us having cuddles on the lounge at home in my mind. It kept me calm and focused on what I had to do. Unfortunately we did have to advocate pretty hard for Maisie at the hospital, I found my mum voice very quickly! I found myself using the breathing techniques to keep myself calm in these moments also. Calmbirth helped us through the entire process, we are both so glad we did it and recommend it to everyone!