When Things Don’t Go to Plan | Katie’s Birth Story
** Content warning for exact BMI mention
Let me just start off with saying that I have a BMI of 60. I was told regularly during my first pregnancy that I would have multiple problems because of my weight. I was told throughout— “You’ll have a big baby and your baby’s shoulders will get stuck.” I was referred to the metabolic clinic and most of the clinicians were very nice and treated me with respect.
My first birth was very positive— I used a hypnobirthing course. (Learn more about hypnobirthing here.) It was a forceps delivery and prior to that it had taken two hours for the epidural to be placed. That was the only downside. My healthy baby boy weighed 6 lbs 8 oz. I healed great and looked forward to my next pregnancy.
Knowing my previous birth had a tricky part, I was determined to make my second pregnancy go as smoothly as possible. I had numerous scans on my back and met with anesthesiologists to prepare for a potential future epidural. I was advised to have an epidural as soon as I went into labor to avoid issues with placement again.
I had many frequent trips to triage during my second pregnancy, as I had trouble with feeling my baby move regularly. She was in a awkward position. I phoned triage more times than I’d ever like to know! I’m pretty sure they rolled their eyes when they saw my name. Most times it would be explained to me that I wasn’t feeling my baby move because of my high BMI. I just got used to the process.
I had so many incidents of reduced movements (my baby was breech and bum forward so was kicking into my back most the time), that they suggested an induction. I went in every week prior to being induced, as well as whenever I couldn’t feel her move. I was exhausted, so I asked to be induced the day I turned 37 weeks.
I was induced with propess on Friday October 30th. It was inserted at 11 pm and I had a chat with about six doctors all around the foot of my bed. I didn’t feel scared. I felt safe because I was being looked after by so many people. I was examined and told my cervix had softened and my waters would probably break on their own in the morning. I went straight to sleep in the hospital ward excited for what was to come.
I woke at 6 am needing the loo and thought, I’ve not felt my baby all night. This prompted me to call the midwife and get hooked up to the CTG (fetal heart rate monitor). After five minutes of being on the machine, I noticed heavy tightenings and then a sudden need for a poo! The alarm went off on the CTG monitor and I called the midwife— my uterus was contracting too frequently, called hyperstimulation, and baby wasn’t happy.
I was whisked to the labor ward and called my husband. He was there in a flash and after having the propess removed, I labored on my own for a bit. They released my waters for me and I was taken into the operating theater for an epidural. I was fully prepared for this.
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I’m so proud to say I was having contractions during the epidural and I put my breathing skills to the test. It was hard and intense, as baby was pushing down and my waters were leaking. When we got back into the room and back on the monitor, the midwife saw my contractions and said I had a very good poker face. She couldn’t believe how calm I was!
Fast forward a few hours and my cervix was 4 cm, following an internal exam. I was very disappointed and there was talk of a cesarean. I discussed it with my doctor and they were happy to continue, as my contractions were getting closer and baby was fine.
I remained calm in the room and let my body take over. I used my room spray and lavender on my pillow. My dilation was checked again and I remained at 4 cm. The syntocinon (aka Pitocin) drip was started to see how baby reacted. This examination was brutal. All I remember is holding onto the bed rail at the top and wincing in pain. I don’t know if it was rougher than any internal I’ve ever had or if my cervix was just irritated by then— I don’t know. What I do know now is I could of refused that internal vaginal exam and saved myself that trauma.
My baby didn’t react well to Pitocin and her heart rate dipped every time I had a contraction. The consultant came into the room, and I just knew it wasn’t the news I wanted. She examined me and said I was still 4 cm and to get ready for the operating theater. I was going in for a cesarean.
I was so scared at this point, I started to cry every time someone spoke to me. Looking back now, I think it was exhaustion and relief making me teary! The midwives kept saying, “It’s time to meet your baby!” I was so ready.
I went into the OR, saw my husband in scrubs and used my breathing whilst they inserted the spinal block. Then, after much tugging, I heard the lovely doctor say, “Hello darling!” and Hope was lifted over the curtain. I sobbed my eyes out as one of my favorite songs, “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves, was playing when I looked at her.
It wasn’t the birth I’d hoped for, but my baby girl arrived and was safe. Our family is now complete and I did it!