Erin tells her birth story in her own words…

I must admit I had a relatively easy pregnancy besides some mild morning sickness,  heartburn and general aches. We travelled New Zealand in a campervan when I was 24 weeks without me needing to wee overnight for most of the trip.

At 32 weeks I was diagnosed with high blood pressure however no one really explained what this meant for myself or the baby so I just started the medication as I was told. Everyone always commented on how little and compact I looked to which I would blame the awesome abs I must have (not really,  they were non existent).The medication managed by blood pressure well as it was only borderline high to begin with and I was lucky never to progress to Pre-eclampsia.

I had a growth scan at 36 weeks and our baby was measuring on the 3rd percentile which I thought was fine considering both my husband and I were very small babies. On my last day at work I went to a clinic appointment expecting to return for a final afternoon tea before mat leave however I never got to go back. I was 37 weeks and 4 days at this point and the Doctor said they were going to induce me because of blood pressure and small measurements however they wanted to do it the next day. 

I wasn't mentally prepared for this as I hadn't really officially finished work and I had important things like getting my hair done and my baby shower in the following days.

I was able to negotiate second daily CTG and urine assessments to monitor me until the Sunday. I am please I managed to get my hair done because it was over 6 months until I managed to get around to having it done again. 

4 days later I was admitted and a cervadil tape was inserted behind my cervix to prepare it. I required CTG assessments reguarly overnight and my induction was planned to start about 7am the following morning. By 11am the next morning I was still waiting and had a brief conversation with the doctor who reported I would be moved to birth suite about lunch time.

The plan was to break my waters, have my lunch then start the induction process. I had been a bit nervous through the morning so was looking forward to lunch however little did I know I wasnt going to get it. About 12:30pm I was in birth suite and the Doctor manully broke my waters. No one had warned me that high blood pressure can speed up labour and I clearly remember the midwife walking into the room with the induction medications and saying "oh we wont need these will we". I hit full blown labour within 10 mins.

It was very painful to escalate that quickly. I had to move and couldn't be still so used lots of rocking and marching to help manage it. My husband was great and placed the TENs on my back but labour had progressed past the stage of this helping. I tried the gas which I hated then decided I wanted more pain relief assistance but it was too late. I dilated 9cm in less than an hour (starting at 1cm already) and was at 10cm ready to push.

My second stage lasted about 20mins and I neighed like a horse for most pushes which was very unpredicted. I really did haven't time to try all the techniques I had previously taught and read about. Being a physiotherapist with experience in perineal tears I made sure I had the warm compress applied but unfortunately, I ended up with a 3rd degree tear which meant a repair completed in theatre. The repair was completed about 5 hours later and was back on the ward with a spinal block however this helped with pain management overnight. 

My recovery was smooth and we were discharged at my request 2 days later. I was terrified about opening my bowels but I made sure I had all the strategies in place including supporting my perineum and it was fine. Then newborn life began.

What do you wish you knew before birth?

The risks and impacts of high blood pressure on a pregnancy especially the ability for it to speed up a birth. 

If you could, would you do anything differently?

Start my perineal stretching and massage earlier. I would also consider doing a calm birth course and a student, but having a January baby meant lots of these things aren't available. 

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

He was my rock and really helped get me through. I was very adamant to him that during labour he needed to also look after himself however this backfired. He had some lollies and started talking to me and I snapped at him about breathing lollies smell near my face. Afterwards I was very proud of him recognising he needed to have a sugar boost with all the adrenaline running high. 

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

You don't know how your body will handle the birth ( I mean I neighed like a horse, who would have predicted that). Trust your instincts. Ask questions, gather information and be open to multiple techniques but use what you believe in and trust.