23/11/2025
If you are offered an induction of labour, it's important to understand why it is being offered, what it will involve and realise it can sometimes be a lengthy process.
With huge thanks, as always, to the family for allowing me to share their beautiful birth story which, once again, goes to show the power of a supportive birth partner.
Our next Active Birth workshop (which is for expectant Mum and birth partner - you don't have to be a couple) is on Saturday 6th December 1.30-5pm and costs £85. Limited spaces remaining.
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"Our beautiful baby girl was born in September 2020, weighing 8lb 2oz. This birthing journey wasn’t quite what I had hoped for however it was equally as emotional and beautiful and allowed us to welcome our baby girl into the world safely.
Our daughter was due on the 11th September so was two weeks overdue when born.
On the 23rd September we were called by the hospital to make our way in to start the induction process. Not really knowing what to expect, I had a lot of anxiety and questions about what was going to happen. After arriving we were taken to our private room due to Covid, where myself and my husband were able to relax as much as possible before everything began.
That night I had a sweep and a pessary inserted to start off the process. The next day same again as my mucus plug came away! Things were starting to happen slowly.
My husband was by my side the whole time throughout the induction. On the Friday they broke my waters artificially and put me on a drip to bring on contractions at 6pm. At this stage I was 2cm dilated.
I was unable to walk around, stand up or have a birth pool due to the drip and the monitor I had to wear for babies heart and movements. This was really difficult to get into my head as throughout the birthing workshops we had learnt how standing up, walking, crouching, bouncing etc were ways to encourage baby to move down into the birth canal. I started to feel panic and frustration that my plan was not going to happen and it was all out of my control.
My husband (not that he showed it) was anxious and disappointed too as this is what we had planned and felt comfortable with for so long. But I didn’t have long to worry about this as the contractions had started quite quickly with the drip in full flow, and I was starting to get more and more pains, but I would keep reminding myself it’s just the baby coming into position, it’s just the baby getting ready to be born!
My husband was by my side the whole time, holding my hand, making me drink sips of juice, offering me food and just being an amazing birthing partner. He will never understand how supported it made me feel.
My husband would keep encouraging me to “breathe like Katy told you” he would do it with me and start me off on a good pattern. I’m so thankful that he joined us on the couples Active Birth workshop. This definitely gave him confidence to support me and get us through the contractions.
Contractions were getting closer and closer together, I felt like my body was pushing without me doing it intentionally. The midwife said no way, you were only 2cm 2.5 hours ago!
I kept using the breathing rhythm that we were taught in class and asked to have some pain relief but it was too late and was then measured at 8cm dilated.
My body was still trying to push so we began the breathing techniques and the OUTTTTTTT!!!! Cannot tell you how much that helped me! Even now find myself bring more vocal with pain and it helps so much during labour with concentration and the big push.
My husband reminding me that I can do this and it’s normal to feel like you have nothing left to give, we have that one last push and out came our gorgeous girl!
Born at 22:48 on the Friday! I was in total shock of what had just happened! What did I actually just do! My body is incredible!
All of these things were rushing through my head! Wow! Then the midwife said look at what you have, I moved the babies leg and cried it’s a girl.
Myself and my husband were delighted! Nearly 10months wait and here she was!
Although I was extremely tired and a tad spaced out with the pain relief, gas and air, I was on top of the world that moment when it’s just you guys in that room, that know what’s just happened and that your baby has come into the world is just amazing!
That feeling I wanted to last forever!
My husband then rang both our parents to tell them the news and it was just surreal! Such an emotional and beautiful moment."
Get in touch to find out more or visit the website to book.
07918 040246 (WA, text or call)
katy@the-babybarn.co.uk
www.the-babybarn.co.uk
