Positive Birth Story - Induction of Labour Without My Partner
The GentleBirth approach encourages parents to focus on what they can control (our mantra is to control the controllables). So although circumstances are far from ideal for many expectant parents around the world the one aspect we have 100% control over is how we respond to these challenges.
Laura Moore shares her positive birth experience in CUMH during the Covid Pandemic.
We did the course with Mary Tighe in Cork at 34 wks on my first pregnancy. I had a beautiful natural birth with TENS machine only until I was 10cm & I was then brought to the delivery ward. Two hours later I had my not so little girl 9.2lbs with just gas & air. I was 40+10 & due to be induced that day but thankfully my baby decided to come herself with a few hours before hospital appointment. GentleBirth played a huge role in my experience of birthing. Also my partner loved everything about the course & was completely prepared for supporting me & also dealing with the pressure of inductions from GPs for both pregnancies. I was 40 for first baby & 42 for second pregnancy & very healthy.
Induction
I was in CUMH. I 'checked in' at 9pm on Tuesday for an induction & I will admit there was some tears as I waited in the reception area. I'd hoped to avoid any induction but I was 40+11. Thankfully I only needed one application of prostaglandin gel to get things going 12.30am. I had great support from the midwife on the ward as she was familiar with GentleBirth. There was some pressure the following morning (9.30am) from a doctor to continue the induction process (break waters & drip) but I calmly explained I wanted to wait. I also had to explain that my surges were already 5mins apart as we were having the conversation but don't think she believed me 😊 At 11.30 my surges were 3mins apart. I actually didn't think to mention it to my midwife as she went on a break. The surges were totally manageable & 5 mins later I called a midwife to say I had the urge to push. Luckily I also sent a text to Paul to let him know to come in. That was 11.38am & my little girl was born at 11.53am
I listened to the Labour Companion as soon as my surges began. Because of the restrictions in CUMH my partner wasn't allowed to join me until I went to the delivery ward. This was my 2nd baby and for my 1st, I had my partner’s company and I listened to the Labour Companion here & there. For my second baby last week, I listened to Labour Companion non stop (apart from phone calls to my partner)....I walked stairs and sat on birthing ball. It was only when I had the urge to push did I realise how calm I was...all thanks to that track. Baby arrived 20 mins later with Dad walking into the delivery ward as she entered the world. I’m still in awe of GB & how it empowered me. What I found really important was he was there for me and her for the couple of hours after. We had skin to skin with Dad & cutting her cord was just lovely.
Just to give other mums the heads up on dad's only being allowed into delivery ward. No one actually contacted Paul on my behalf, luckily he was 10mins away & I knew it was time. My advice is for Dads to be at the location.
It was Emmelena Cullen’s hubby that recommended the course (GB Instructor based in Sligo) . I loved the fact it was a Dad highly recommending it as it really shows how GentleBirth influenced his experience.
