"Responsive maternity care"

After experiencing a pretty traumatic birth first time round I was very nervous for my second. Fast forward to August and I was in labour with my second. After working on Hypnobirthing throughout my pregnancy I was prepared for a water birth but had a plan in place for all eventualities (thanks to my MNPI team). 

After a couple of hours of pushing and two change of midwives I was relieved when Nicola started on shift and said she was into hypnobirthing too.

I had a feeling something wasn’t going right with my birth as I was pushing but felt baby wasn’t going anywhere. I had been asking for help for a few hours but was aware that this could also be in relation to labour transition so didn’t push too hard for anything to be done. 

Things changed quite quickly when it became apparent that baby wasn’t liking the position he was in and I began to have stomach pains. Nicola listened me when I said I thought something wasn’t right and got the doctor. She was by our side reassuring us and it was clear she had read our birth plan thoroughly and helped get us ready for theatre for an emergency section. I believe her knowledge of my birth plan and my previous birth was what allowed us to have the gentle c-section which we had requested if things had went south. 

Basically my “story” is a thank you to Nicola and the doctor for trusting in what I was saying when I voiced something wasn’t right and acting on it. 

I would also like to thank Hannah who took me on when my midwife went off ill and recognised I needed continuity of care due to my previous birth trauma. We found her to be professional but caring and approachable at the same time which allowed me to feel safe in the care I was receiving. 

If I’m ever brave enough to get pregnant again I hope I am under the care of Nicola and Hannah.