Bri tells her birth story in her own words…

I was a very overdue mama. My little (big) man entered this world when I was 41+6 weeks. I was doing all the things to try and bring labour on but he must have just been way to too comfortable in there. I ended up going into the hospital to be induced on 30th July 2021.

I had the cervadil tape put on my cervix overnight as I was already dilated 1cm with the hopes that I would go into labour naturally. I didn’t get much sleep that night as I was having mild contractions on and off from about midnight. 

At 6am the midwife came in to check me and I had dilated to 2cm they decided to break my waters to see if that would kickstart the labour. Well let me tell you it did just that. It went from about 1 to 100 real quick, as soon as my waters were broken I began violently vomiting and got very intense contractions 30 seconds to 1 minute apart almost instantly.

I laboured most of the time in the shower holding onto my husband. When it started to get a bit much I opted to use the gas although I didn’t find that it helped me with the pain.

After the shower I had to be closely monitored as his heart rate was declining each time I had a contraction. At this point it took a scary turn, doctors were coming into the room to be there “just in case”.

Although it was scary for my husband to witness I was so out of my mind with pain and shock that I didn’t even care who was in the room. I was trying to push him out for over an hour and a half but he was a big boy (9.1lbs we soon found out) with a melon of a head and had the cord wrapped around his neck. I ended up having a vacuum assisted birth and got him out safely 5 hours after my waters broke.  

My labour was hard and fast and I found the whole thing pretty terrifying to be honest. I was so in shock and exhausted that when they placed Lenny on my chest I had no emotions what so ever. It was not the ‘moment’ I had dreamt of of heard of from close family and friends.

Although it took us a little longer, (I was a bit filthy at him when I first met him, due to the pain he caused me haha) I did end up getting that bond with my son and I think breastfeeding really helped with that. 

After my first birth experience, if I am lucky enough to get pregnant and have another baby, I will be 100%, without a doubt be getting an epidural lol! 

My son is 18 months old now and is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. Getting to have him in my life and watching him grow makes every single feeling of pain I endured 100% worth it! 

What do you wish you knew before birth?
I don’t think anything can really prepare you for birth! Im not sure that there is anything I wish I knew before hand but I wish I was more educated about what to expect postpartum and the things to implement to make it a little bit easier. Things like ice packs, epsom salt baths, being horizontal as much as possible and leaning on your family and friends for support. People want to help you so just ask! 

If you could, would you do anything differently?

As I said 100% I am aiming to get an epidural next time!

What did your partner do that really helped during labour/birth?

Just didn’t leave my side. Held my hand through all the scary bits and told me I could get through it. There were moments where I didn’t think I could. 

What advice/honest truth would give a mama-to-be about birth?

If I could give advice to any women who is about to go into labour I would say go into it with an open mind, it’s okay to completely change your mind on your preferences once you are in the throws of labour. Don’t be afraid to seek pain management options or feel like you have failed if you don’t have that “natural birth” that everyone talks about.