Hollie - Positive Induction with Epidural in Cork

CUMH.

I was pregnant in 2021 when Covid was still rampant. The pregnancy was straightforward, luckily I didn't have any complications but at 41 weeks I noticed that baby wasn't moving as much as he had been so I rang A&E, they said to come up to be examined. I was due to go up to be induced 4 days later anyway.

The A&E visit was on a Saturday afternoon, they gave an ultrasound and said that all was well but gave me the option of being induced there and then, I took it because I had had enough of being pregnant and wanted to meet baby.

I got the first gel at 6 that evening, the midwife, Doireann was lovely but the gel isn't a pleasant feeling, it felt like burning. At around 8pm I was moved to an induction room to sleep but I didn't sleep. I was nervous so watched a few comedies on Netflix.

6 hours later, I got the second gel, still nothing! I couldn't sleep, and 6 hours after that I got the third gel. About 3 hours later the doctor came to break my waters, again not the nicest feeling in the world.

At around 11am I started to feel pains so I phoned my birth partner (my mother) who came right up.

I was given a pethidine injection which helped, also gas and air.

At around 3pm that afternoon, the contractions picked up and the midwife gave me the option of an epidural. I wasn't sure initially, I hadn't  planned it in advance. My mother encouraged me to get it, why suffer on if you don't have to she said, I hadn't slept etc. By that point I was 5cm dilated.

I got the epidural, it was great, the pain went and I slept from about 5pm to 10pm. The midwives were checking me regularly, when I woke up I was told that I was 10cm but they would wait another hour before I began pushing.

At 11pm I began pushing, after a while they said they would need to get the ventouse if nothing progressed soon. My mam encouraged me to push and at 12.05am Keelin was born weighing 7lbs 10oz.

Giving birth can be a daunting experience but the midwives were so supportive, they discussed all the options available in terms of pain relief and were supportive with breast feeding too. Having my mam as my birth partner was very special also.

I had attended acupuncture for 4 sessions of cervical ripening prior to my due date and I think that helped me to relax. I also used the aniball device in the 6 weeks before my due date.

Having my midwife friend support me during the pregnancy and after the birth was very reassuring, I had The Mammy Hub expert only a message away so I was very lucky.

If I was to do it again, I honestly don't know if I would do anything differently. 

Hollie with her newborn baby boy, Keelin, in the birthing suite at CUMH.