From a Planned Homebirth to a Positive Hospital Induction of Labour.
Danielle's Story

I had had a traumatic birth with my first birth so, when I found out I was pregnant again, my anxiety went wild. We decided to look for someone who offered all care and a home birth and we came across Private Midwives. I remember those early emails, filled with anxiety due to my risk factors (high BMI and PTSD) but I had quick replies reassuring me that it was something that they could do. At that point we chose the full care package and declined all NHS care.

I met Eirene around 12 weeks pregnant and I was a nervous wreck but, by the end of the appointment, I was already feeling a lot calmer.

I had all my blood tests at home and scans at a lovely private clinic. Jo was amazing when booking them for us, my partner is in the army so he’s away a lot. Jo helped us book all of our scans around his work which was incredible.

Then, at 24 weeks, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and my anxiety went high again. After a tough call with the hospital, Eirene advised me to do my own research. I don’t think she expected me to know every NICE guideline by the next appointment! In the end I accepted some NHS care but continued to decline their other appointments and scans. After every NHS appointment I’d talk everything over with Eirene, especially about any risks they raised, and she created a plan that covered every aspect.

Fast forward to 39+3. I went for our private growth scan and baby was measuring at 7lb 9oz. This meant that on her growth chart the line had flattened instead of the curve, suggesting she wasn’t growing as expected. Eirene advised me the hospital would ask me in for monitoring once we sent them the report and so, on the morning of 39+4, I went in for monitoring. By this point I’d built up so much trust, I knew Eirene would only advise this course of action, if she felt it was necessary. The hospital advised induction. I called Eirene and she headed to the hospital. I agreed to have my waters broken whilst Eirene was on her way.

Eirene knew all about my son’s birth having been induced and I felt she kept that in mind with all her suggestions. The drip started at 4.30pm and I got off the bed and straight on the ball.

Me, my partner, and Eirene was just sat around the bed talking about how funny my son is (age 4) and eventually the pains started increasing, I’d stop talking focus on my breathing, rolling forward on the ball during the peak and then continuing the conversation once it had passed.

By 7.30pm I could feel myself struggling to focus on my breath at the peaks so requested gas and air and stood up next to the bed. Eirene popped some music on and we carried on talking for a little while.

Eirene suggested me trying to lean over the back of the bed as my legs were shaking, so I tried that position. Not long after the contractions were coming quickly and lasting a while - to the point I thought that I needed more pain relief. A few swear words came out and my breathing started getting a bit fast. Eirene reminded me to slow down my breathing. I realise now that was me transitioning.

The hospital midwife asked me to lay on my left side as she was struggling to monitor baby’s heartbeat. Just then I started to feel like I needed to push. My body started doing its own thing and I just focused on my breathing 😮‍💨. There were a few pushes and my head told me I needed to move. The midwife was trying to do the straps up and I dived off the bed, sending the monitors flying! I stood at the side of the bed and, with the next contraction, squatted down and baby was crowning. I listened to the midwife and panted doing little pushes until her head was delivered. Then put both my hands underneath and caught her on the next contraction. She was born at 8.55pm. ❤️

It was such an amazing experience and I’d happily do it all again. Having Eirene and doing my own research helped to make it such an amazing experience. I may not have gotten my homebirth, but my labour and birth were still amazing.

Post birth, Eirene stayed with us at the hospital for a few hours helping me with our first breastfeed and to express. I had had no support with my son and having that support has helped me continue breastfeeding our daughter.

I discharged myself and baby 6 hours after birth and headed home to rest properly as I had planned to do if I had had birthed at home.

The next day, Eirene visited us all at home and we spoke about how lovely the experience was. We had 4 weeks postnatal care, and it was lovely having that familiar face helping and supporting us first few weeks. I will be forever grateful for Eirene and Private Midwives.

If we were to ever have another baby, I wouldn’t hesitate in going back to Private Midwives and requesting our lovely Midwife Eirene again.