Aisling - Severe PGP, Induction, Vaginal Birth, PND and a Healing Second Birth - Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe

Éala

April 2022, my first baby was due. I attended Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. The pregnancy was fine, most of it I can’t remember truthfully but I had all these plans for how I wanted to labour and deliver and also postpartum. 

However fate had a different plan. 2 days passed my “due date” I woke up one morning and couldn’t walk. The pain was like nothing I have ever experienced. My partner had to carry me to the toilet, I was in agony. Of course all I could have was paracetamol and that wasn’t coming close to easing my pain so I presented to a&e. I was told it was severe pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and was offered a c-section to get the baby out and relieve my pain. I opted for an induction instead. It was slow. I struggled not being able to move. It definitely caused things to be slower. I was able to get an early epidural due to my pain, and Éala was born on the 30th April 2022 at 19:56pm. 2 days after being admitted. 

I suffered a significant postpartum haemorrhage and was rushed to theatre for a D&C and blood transfusion. I didn’t get to see Éala again for 5 hours.

All this led to a very difficult newborn stage. I was still immobile for almost a week after birth. I had immense pressure on myself to breastfeed and unfortunately it didn’t work out. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression (PND) and was exclusively expressing for 8 weeks before stopping. My mental health improved straight away and I was beginning to enjoy motherhood. A wonderful group of friends who all had their babies in April 2022 came into my life and to this day they continue to be my biggest support.

Alex

Fast forward to when Éala was 13 months old, I found out I was expecting again. 

We were thrilled. I knew this time would be different. I didn’t think twice about returning to Portiuncula, the midwives there are nothing short of amazing. 

I had made a wonderful friend, Katie, who is a midwife and we have children the same age. She was a pillar of strength to me throughout my pregnancy. I was consultant led again this time due to my previous PPH and PND. I didn’t mind either way, I was stronger this time.

Christmas 2023 at 7 months pregnant I was told I had a low lying placenta and I was scheduled for a section in January. I was told that the placenta wasn’t going to move enough to allow for a vaginal delivery. I began researching low lying placentas and the number of centimetres the placenta was from the cervix “allowed” before a vaginal birth can happen and I was in the range, as per the NHS guidelines. However, with Katie’s help and my own stubborn determination, the placenta did infact move up.

I was refusing to listen to any mention of induction or breastfeeding as per my previous experiences. I was fully set on going into labour myself. 

Then along came Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid). The measurement was slightly over the “acceptable” and all risks were explained. I was advised induction so they could control the waters breaking and the labour. Again though my own stubbornness took over and I accepted the risks but declined politely.

On my due date, a locum consultant told me that I had to be induced that day, or else I would cause serious harm to my baby. I’ll spare the details of what exactly he said but even that didn’t deter me. I was instructed to attend every day for CTG monitoring. This was in turn stressing me out so I attended twice and told them I would see them when I went into labour.

Two days later following reflexology I went into labour myself, at home around 9pm on the 15th February. My waters broke when I arrived on the ward at midnight and I was sent to the delivery room as there was meconium in the water. I didn’t mind. I had been very physical trying to go into labour I was ready to rest so I opted for the epidural again after intense contractions. 

Our beautiful baby boy Alex was born at 02:35am on the 16th of February 2024. 

My second delivery was nothing short of amazing, it healed me in every way. I got to see my placenta this time. This was so important to me after my first experience. And my recovery was amazing. I was up and showered and dressed before doctors rounds the following morning. 

Alex’s newborn journey was also difficult but due to reflux this time. I was again diagnosed with PND due to this but all in all it was nothing compared to the first time.

I couldn’t have done any of the pregnancy, labour and delivery without the help of my very close friend Katie. She supported me when the medical team didn’t. She encouraged me to trust myself and believe in myself. And I did. And I did it. 

Aisling with her first baby Éala in Portiuncula Hospital.

Baby Alex shortly after his birth.

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Lisa - 2 Positive Caesarean Births (Mullingar and Rotunda Hospital), GDM on Insulin, Severe IUGR, Fetal Medicine & NICU Journey