"The team who helped me through a long labour were incredible"

I had a long 24 hour labour. I called the MAU and said I was having contractions. I began timing them and two hours later phoned shin and they asked me to come in.

I was admitted an hour later and was 4cm dilated. The midwife was great and ran the birthing pool for me. I started on gas and air and entered the pool. The contractions increased and so did the pain. The midwife asked me if I wanted diamorphine and that helped. This slowed the Labour down slightly but helped.

Once this had worn off I went back to gas and air. I survived on gas and air for most of the next day until early evening. The midwife and students were lovely and we had a relaxed day while Labour progressed. However, Labour wasn’t progressing as quickly as hoped so it was advised the waters should be broken and be put on an oxytocin drip. This made the contractions intensify and then so did the pain. The doctor examined me which felt very rough and this made the pain even worse. The doctor then advised I should have an epidural.

The anaesthetist was great and so were the midwives. A new doctor then took over, who was much softer, however it was evident that the baby was back to back and she wasn’t going to be born without intervention. They advised a forcep delivery.

Fortunately due to the epidural it wasn’t painful and it was a smooth delivery. The midwives and team who helped me through the long labour were incredible and I couldn’t  thank them enough. I was then in hospital for 3 days recording.. the staff on the birthing suite were also great and so helpful. I couldn’t thank all staff involved enough. 

Additionally to this the maternity care assistants, breastfeeding lady and my own midwife have been so supportive and helpful during our first few days I feel very grateful.