😍 Second baby
💕 Charlotte Betty
⏰ 40+5
⚖️ 6 lb 12 (born at 16:12)
👩⚕️ Planned and actual hospital water birth - RHCH (Winchester hospital)
💨 Vaginal birth in the water with Gas & air (also used paracetemol & TENS machine)
**Trigger warning- post partum haemorrhage, retained placenta, previous loss.
I had two miscarriages prior to my first baby in 2018. I then had a difficult 2021, having had a miscarriage in the January and a ruptured ectopic in the July, losing my right tube in the process and requiring a blood transfusion.
I became pregnant again in October 2021 and it was certainly an anxious ride. I had a really good first pregnancy and birth (2019) and was determined for another. Pregnancy with a pre-schooler is very different to the first time round. Less naps, less rest, less self care in general. Due to the previous traumas it took me until at least week 24 to relax in this pregnancy.
self portrait-40+3 weeks
I was part of a new continuity team in my area and had the same midwives for all but one appt and most of these took place at home. Sadly my main midwife wasn’t on shift the day I gave birth but the other midwife I had met was. Seeing a familiar face on the day was really lovely.
I woke up at 02:30 on with some period pain type cramps. I started recording on the Freya app at 03:30 and they were pretty regular but not too intense at that point.
I woke my husband up at 05:30 and we text the in laws to come over to look after Sophia.
Things slowed down around 7am as I was aware that my 3 year old was about to wake up. We got her up and dressed and my mother in law took her to theirs for breakfast and a sleep over.
I went back into our bedroom with the curtains closed, sniffing my clary sage and had some affirmations playing to help ramp them back up. I rocked on the the ball and crab walked the stairs quite a bit in this time too.
Lost my mucus plug around 10am and contractions were getting more intense and regular. Used my tens machine and loved the boost button.
Husband was putting the pressure on to go to hospital but I still wasn’t convinced. 'They' scare you a bit into thinking the 2nd baby will come quicker but you just doubt yourself.
We went in and got checked over at 11am and I was 2-3cm dilated and my cervix still long so they sent us away. We stopped at Sainsbury's to get some lunch, and the contractions were getting hard to manage as I waited in the car.
They continued to ramp up at home. I ate my lunch (craved a coronation chicken baguette) in between contractions to fuel up. I rang the labour line again and she advised we go back in. They nearly sent me to another hospital as it was busy at RHCH but as I’d already been in once they accepted me back thankfully. I really didn't fancy a 35 minute trip to basingstoke hospital.
We were back at the hospital for 2pm, and I was having to stop for the contractions along the way to the labour ward. I was checked over and was now a good 4cm and was taken straight to the pool room and got onto the gas and air. This was the same room I started labour in with my first baby.
The room had lovely mood lighting (you could choose the colour), blinds down and I stuck on my music. I was standing the whole time, using my husband to hold onto during contractions. I kept reminding myself that each contraction was getting me closer to my baby and tried visualise my cervix opening. I had to be reminded to relax my shoulders and I’d visualise blowing the sea in and out on the shore to maintain my breathing.
I writhed around like this for about an hour on dry land remaining on my feet the whole time. I got them to raise the bed so I could lean over that too. I spent my first labour on my knees so this was quite different.
I got into the water about 15:35. The relief was wonderful. I stayed on the gas and air just wriggling around the pool.
Not long after I could start the feel a bit more pressure and after about 35 mins in the pool my waters popped. I had to check if that’s what it was as it was a strange sensation. At my first birth, my waters were popped for me on dry land (by accident) during a cervix check.
All of a sudden I felt a huge amount of pressure and had a moment of panic as I suddenly remembered what it was like to birth the head. I looked up at my husband and swore and looked a bit panicked. I hadn’t even had a chance to contemplate what was going on and suddenly felt this huge descent. The midwife took the gas and air off me, reminded me to slow down and feel for my baby. I was in absolute disbelief that my baby was here and was annoyed she’d taken my beloved gas and air. But yes, there was my baby’s head and within seconds the body was born at 16:12 with a 2 minute second stage recorded. My first birth was quite a bit longer and I needed a lot of coaching to push which I did for 1 hour 40...... first baby was also 8lb 9.
I was able to lift my beautiful little baby out the water myself and bring her up to my chest (which I barely remember now). I couldn’t believe how intense and quick that birthing moment was. I had never quite believed these women who said they didn’t push but now I get it. My body truly expelled this baby.
My husband missed seeing the actual moment she flew out as the midwife made him run across the room for the buzzer (which I’m slightly annoyed about). I know that they have protocols but what’s one more minute? He managed to grab a little video just seconds after which you can see on my instagram.
We had some skin to skin, waited for the cord to stop pulsing which was quite quick. Blood loss was ok at this point but I agreed to get out of the water to deliver my placenta due to a previous retained placenta. Had the injection to encourage it out, had some more skin to skin and a feed but it just wasn’t coming.
Unfortunately things took a turn and I started haemorrhaging. My first placenta had retained but didn’t haemorrhage and I just waited calmly for theatre to be ready. This time, the buzzer was pushed and within seconds 10+ people were in the room, I got my husband to take the baby off me and I was taken to theatre and put under. I won't lie, it was pretty scary (and the PTSD from the ectopic/ tube rupturing the year before definitely came to mind) but I knew I was in good hands and my husband was able to give her skin to skin and some of my colostrum which I'd harvested in the last month of pregnancy.
I came around quickly and recovered pretty well from the anaesthetic and was able to hold her and try feeding again. Had some of the famous toast and was able to get up and have a shower too. The shower felt so good.
We spent a few days on the ward due to her having jaundice. My recovery was really good and I didn’t need a blood transfusion this time. We spent the time cuddling, feeding and using the blue lamp. The jaundice heal prick test was 'testing' but such a relief when her levels normalised. I'll also add that it was HOT........ establishing breast feeding is a challenge anyway but the July heat wave certainly was an added challenge.
Introducing our first baby to her brand-new baby sister was so special. It was a shame we had to do it in hospital but watching her gentle excitement and curiosity made our hearts so full.
I'm so pleased that I documented my pregnancy and birth. It's the most unique and special time.
At each bump/newborn shoot I do, I love hearing your pregnancy journeys and birth stories. I think both parties find it therapeutic and there is always some shared wisdom.
If you'd like me to document you at any stage of your family's journey then please get in touch for more information on what I can offer.
Stephanie Atkins Photography
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