17/07/2025
What an empowering birth story! Thank you so much to Alexandra, Johnnie and baby Aurora for taking the time to share their beautiful and honest journey 💕
Our daughter Aurora was born via the most wonderful waterbirth following induction at exactly 42 weeks.
I wanted to share my positive birth experience to show my appreciation of the MLU & in the hopes that it would be encouraging to other women.
After doing some research, we decided to wait until 42 weeks for our little girl to be born when she's ready. When discussing the possibility of induction, I chose balloon catheter because it was a non-pharmacological method and it meant I could come back to the MLU and have a waterbirth if labour started spontaneously following induction.
I asked for a membrane sweep at 41+3. On the day of my scheduled induction (41+6), I was having irregular mild surges. I was admitted to the antenatal ward and the Cook balloon catheter was inserted in the evening. My Bishop score was 5 or 6 at the time and my cervix was 1 cm dilated. The Registrar Kate dimmed the lights for the procedure after having read my birth preferences. Once the balloon catheter was in, my surges became stronger and were approx 6-8 mins apart. The balloon catheter fell out within 3 hours of being put in. At that stage, my cervix was in an anterior position, 2-3 cm dilated and 60% effaced. I continued to have surges through the night but they died down towards early morning. Thankfully they picked back up during breakfast - I think it was down to me having nice chats with the most wonderful lady I was sharing the room with and knowing that my husband was on his way over. In the afternoon, I was transferred to the labour ward with the plan of having my waters broken. While waiting for the doctor there, a lovely midwife Philomena gave me IV fluids because I was dehydrated. I asked to have an internal examination and discuss its findings before deciding whether to proceed with AROM (artificial rupture of membranes) knowing that these are two separate procedures with each requiring informed consent. On examination, I was told my cervix was fully effaced and 4 cm dilated, which meant I was technically in active labour! I was so happy! I declined AROM and asked to be transferred back to the MLU. By the time we arrived at the MLU I was 6 cm dilated - I was so pleased with my progress and was keen to keep it going. Lane welcomed us and got us settled in the birthing room. The environment was absolutely gorgeous! I felt so relieved, happy and content as soon as I walked in and saw the birthing pool all ready to go. The shutters, the dimmed lights, the diffuser, the starry ceiling light and the northern lights (very apt in our case!) - it felt like a luxurious spa and as soon as I got into the warm water, I was as happy as can be! It really got the oxytocin flowing and my contractions got stronger and closer together. I used up breathing and down breathing (hypnobirthing) and the birthing pool to manage labour along with the tremendous support from my husband Johnnie, the most kind and gentle guidance from the midwifes Lane and Claudia, and the amazing comfort provided by my doula Rachel. The pushing phase was quite short but intense, and Claudia skillfully supported me to catch our daughter in the water. She was born in her sac!
I was told I was the first first-time mother to be transferred back to the MLU following balloon catheter induction. I am so grateful to all in the MLU, and especially midwifes Lane and Claudia, and midwife manager Fiona for supporting and advocating for women to make well-informed decisions about their maternity care and birth. It was so encouraging to see familiar faces while I was waiting on the antenatal ward (so conveniently located adjacent to the MLU) and having the MLU midwifes check up on me! I had really hoped for a physiological and unmedicated birth for our first baby and it is truly amazing to have a service that promotes that. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have had this experience and fondly remember everyone who supported me on this journey 🥰
Alexandra, Johnnie and baby Aurora
