"Birth Experience in AMU"

After a traumatic first birth with a significant PPH, I was scheduled for a c-section. However, the night before this was due to take place, I started to experience contractions and went in to discuss my options. It was at this point I met Jackie, head of the Alongside Midwifery Unit. Given my history, I had considered the chances of giving birth in the AMU to be very slim however, Jackie went through all my options with me and gave me confidence that I could choose to go ahead with a natural birth and even use the birthing pool etc if I wanted or alternatively proceed with the section.

Fast forward to the next day and after much consideration, we decided to try for a natural birth and gave up our slot for a section. This was an incredibly hard decision as I knew I would only be able to have gas and air given a previous reaction to diamorphine and a desire not to have an epidural following my previous complications. I should highlight that the doctor we spoke to gave us literally a minute (whilst standing outside the room) to make this decision!

From here I should mention the wonderful Santine who I believe played an instrumental part in our positive experience. She took us to an AMU room and sat for a long time chatting through all my concerns and options again. There had been discussion of breaking my waters given I was at 4cm and seeing whether that would speed up my contractions. Santine explained she would rather not do this as I would most likely end up in a section under this scenario and instead it would be better to leave me and see what my body would do. She put candles on, shut out the daylight and left us to get comfy and sure enough, after a couple of hours the contractions did intensify.

Unfortunately, another midwife then came on shift. We had thought everything was progressing well and I was waiting until I had reached adequate dilation to get into the birthing pool. However, I was told by this midwife there was no way given my history I would be allowed in and that I shouldn’t be in the AMU at all. Whilst I completely understand that the motivations at play here were to keep me and baby safe, this was devastating news as I had really been working through the contractions on the basis of a positive water birth. To hear I shouldn’t be in the AMU confirmed my previous negative connotations re birth and to be honest really frightened me as we were at the point of no return re a section.

Finally, just as I reached 8cm, Jackie came on shift. As soon as I saw her enter the room, a wave of complete calm came over me. She immediately came over to me and asked me to tell her what had been happening and how I was feeling. Then she took control, rearranging the room to make it more suitable. Some of the things she did were so simple but I cannot describe how big the difference they made was. She saw that to get through contractions I was listening to hypnobirthing through my earphones, but that they kept getting pulled out my ears so she brought in a Bluetooth speaker. She recognised the contractions were in my back, so she taught my partner techniques to relieve this as well as better massage techniques and breathing exercises for me. Then, after speaking with me and getting reassurances from me, she agreed I could use the birthing pool. And it was here, by candlelight with my favourite music playing that I gave birth in the single most intense and utterly joyful experience of my life.

Needless to say, Jackie’s aftercare was also amazing, allowing myself and my husband to stay together in the room with our precious bundle and making the single best tea and toast I’ve ever had. 

In short, I will be eternally grateful for the experience I so nearly didn’t have. I was terrified after my first birth and never thought I would have a positive experience. If I had gone with the planned section, I would have undergone major surgery and added significant recovery time needlessly. Thanks to Jackie and the amazing AMU facilities, I was given the confidence to go for the birth I’d always wanted and in the end it was more than I could ever have thought possible. 

If you have the chance, I would 100% recommend the AMU. I learned later that Jackie helped design the rooms so, of course, the facilities are amazing and giving birth in the pool was incredible.

Jackie, if you ever read this, thank you so much again from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing at what you do and I truly believe any woman in labour who is lucky enough to have your care will most definitely have a better birthing experience for it.