Chloe’s Birth Story
I was lucky because my pregnancy was enjoyable and despite the risks involved in carrying identical twins, it was drama free - minus the initial shock of expecting TWINS! Chloe x
From a very early point, I was made aware that I was. 'high risk' due to the fact that I was carrying identical twins and I think a c section was even mentioned at my very first midwife appointment. I was adamant from the get-go that an elective c section wasn't for me and made this clear at every appointment where it seemed it was almost expected that this would be the route I'd take.
I knew that I had to be open-minded when it came to a plan and often reminded myself of that to avoid disappointment. But, seeing as my scans were going well I remained sure that I'd try for a vaginal delivery and really hoped that I'd go into spontaneous labour.
The medical advice was to either book a c section or an induction at week 36. I knew that this wasn't right for my body or my babies - they weren't ready and I knew it. I didn't go into spontaneous labour as hoped but instead agreed to an induction at 38 weeks and 2 days. This felt like a nice middle ground - not wanting to completely ignore the professional advice but equally knowing I had to trust my gut.
Turns out this was indeed the right time as when I was examined ready to have Dilipan rods inserted (the start of the induction process) I was already 4cm dilated!
From there, my waters were broken and I was given the Oxytocin drip to bring on contractions. Several consultants 'popped in' to remind me of the risks involved with my choices - as at this point in time I was declining an epidural (recommended) and resisting giving birth in theatre (also recommended).
Again, we met in the middle... I asked to labour for as long as the midwife felt I could without the epidural and for her to suggest when she felt it was necessary. She got it so right!
I rode the contractions for around 3 hours before chugging so hard at the gas and air that it caused me to vomit, this was when my midwife questioned whether it was perhaps time for the epidural. And it was! A further 3 hours contracting under the magic spell of the epidural (what a game-changer that was) got me to 10cm and I was ready to push. Again, we collectively decided that I would push until the very last moment in my labour room before being moved into theatre for the last part (just in case a c section was needed unexpectedly).
I pushed for a hour before we moved to theatre. Towards the end of my pushing, it was spotted that twin 1 was back to back. The consultant said that an instrumental delivery would be necessary and I signed to agree to forceps being used. It was made clear at this stage though that if this didn't work I would need to have a section so I signed to agree to this also, reminding myself that the foundation of my birth plan was to remain flexible around my ideals.
In theatre, everyone was so wonderful. The team were honestly faultless and I was so at ease. My husband and I were backwards and forwards calling out positive affirmations and he was even allowed to keep our playlist on low on the background. With only 2 attempts at using the forceps and some purple pushing from me (not the gentle "breathe the baby out' I'd hoped for!) my first baby boy was out. I'd done it; I'd defied what they'd all said.
Large tears dropped down my cheeks as he was placed on my chest where for a very brief moment I thought I was done! After only a few minutes, twin 1 went to my husband as it was now all eyes on twin 2 - whose imminent delivery apparently came with more risks than twin one! The midwives held on to my stomach to ensure twin 2 didn't take advantage of the extra space and flip and it was time to push again. With 3 or 4 gritted teeth pushes from me, 14 minutes later twin 2 was out! My boys were here.
The next part wasn't so nice really as I'd lost a lot of blood and the stitching took a long time as they couldn't stop me bleeding for quite a while and I was sick - I guess from the cocktail of drugs. But even then, I was still in awe of what my body had just accomplished, riding the hormonal wave and feeling on cloud 9 despite my legs akimbo, whilst being sewn back together as the consultant called for yet another tampon!
On paper, it doesn't sound like a romantic birth... medicalised, episiotomy, legs in stirrups, theatre, blood loss...but I honestly felt like I was in control he whole time. These things weren't just done to me, they were my choices and the right choices at the right time.
My body did this!