Shauna - Hyperemesis, GDM, Induction, Epidural, Positive Vaginal Birth with 3rd Degree Tear at the Rotunda

My pregnancy wasn’t easy. I had hyperemesis from the start and spent months with my head basically glued to the toilet. Getting out of the house was a mission — I lost count of the number of times I had to gag into a plastic bag in public or pull the car over to be sick at the side of the road. People would stare, probably thinking I was hungover, and I’d just want to shout, “I’m not drunk, I’m pregnant!” Thankfully, I was able to work from home, and my trusty IKEA bin — lovingly nicknamed the puke bucket — became my constant companion.

I can laugh about it now, but honestly, it was really rough. Physically, mentally, emotionally — it took a toll. On top of that, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which really threw me at first. But with loads of support from The Rotunda and some amazing friends who’d been through it, I got into a rhythm and figured out what foods worked best for me. I also had pelvic girdle pain for good measure. But through it all, I kept focusing on the prize — my baby.

As my due date got closer, I was brought in to meet the anaesthetist, and because of my high BMI, they recommended induction with an early epidural. The idea was that if a section ended up being needed, it would be safer to have everything already in place. I remember feeling a bit embarrassed, because my size was impacting my idea of my birth. But in the end, the induction itself turned out to be really positive.

I was checked in at 10am and brought to the pre-labour ward and nothing prepared me for what I found. There was women groaning, crying, vomiting and making these wild guttural noises. I was shook, I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this! I had this realisation of, ‘Oh, THIS is labour’. I remember feeling scared. 

They gave me a pessary first to soften the cervix — it didn’t work — and then another gel that evening. When the time came for Chris to go home for the night, I was really upset. Despite assurances from the midwives that nothing would happen overnight, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my labour would kick off suddenly and he’d miss it. That night was long. I had lots of different pains but no idea what was what. I didn’t know if they were actual contractions or just early signs. Around 4 or 5am it really ramped up — I started vomiting, which I hadn’t expected, but it probably had to do with the diabetes, hunger, pain, nerves - the whole lot.

By 7:30am, they broke my waters. Chris made it in around 8:30am and I was in bits already, vomiting and barely able to talk. I’d brought a birthing ball thinking I’d be bouncing around like the women in those Instagram stories, but I was absolutely not bouncing anywhere. The cubicle was tiny, I could barely sit on the side of the bed. 

Around 10am I was brought to the labour suite, even though I was only 2cm dilated, and got the epidural, which was absolute magical. The vomiting stopped, the pain eased, and I even got some sleep. Compared to the pre-labour ward, the labour suite felt like a luxury hotel. Everything was clean and calm, and the staff were incredible. Chris even felt relaxed enough to head out for a while. He went shopping and came back with a new pair of Adidas runners! (To be fair, they were very nice runners.)

By about 1pm, I started feeling sick again, like I needed to puke and I also couldn’t shake the feeling that I  needed to go to the toilet. I was totally overwhelmed and panicking about soiling myself in front of everyone. 

The midwives were so kind and kept reassuring me that it was fine, that they’d seen it all. While I was still mid-“I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET!”, they decided to check me... and suddenly I heard, “Oh! We can see your baby’s head!” It was a total surprise.

I barely had time to process it. I pushed for maybe five, ten minutes, and then at 2:22pm, my beautiful boy Finn was born. I couldn’t believe how quickly it all happened in the end. I was so relieved to have him on my chest. He latched straight away, and I just remember thinking, He’s here. We did it. 

That feeling didn’t last long, though, because I was told I had a significant tear and would need to be brought to theatre for stitches. A number of members of staff came in to examine me — it felt like half the hospital came in to have a goo and wonder what degree of tear it was, but I didn’t give a monkeys, I was still on a high. It was eventually decided that I’d need a procedure in surgery. Before I went, they told me to feed Finn, and I let them know I’d also brought in colostrum. My amazing midwife Nicole helped me harvest a bit more, and we made sure he was topped up before I had to leave him.

One of the hardest moments of the whole experience was in that theatre. The numbness from the epidural crept all the way up to my neck — I couldn’t move my arms or upper body at all. I felt so panicked and out of control. And then... the orange juice. Because of the gestational diabetes, I’d been dreaming of a cold glass of orange juice for months. Chris had gone straight out after Finn was born and got me a Tropicana. I downed the whole thing — and then during the surgery, it came right back up. I had to turn my head to the side while a nurse held a paper kidney bowl under my chin. I couldn’t even sit up or wipe my mouth. It was such a vulnerable, upsetting moment. I felt awful. 

Eventually I was brought into recovery. They brought Finn down to see me, but I still didn’t have the use of my arms and wasn’t able to hold him — I could only look at him. I didn’t get back to the ward until around 7pm and that’s when I finally got to properly cuddle my baby.

Even with all that, I’d still say it was a positive birth. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t quite what I’d imagined, but the care I got at the Rotunda was genuinely brilliant. If I ever do it again, I think I’d try to labour a bit more at home before going in, avoiding that intense pre-labour ward vibe, and just go in when I’m a bit closer. But overall, I was really well looked after, and Finn was healthy and happy, which is all I ever wanted.

The follow-up care was amazing too — especially around the tear. I had regular checks, physio, the whole lot. I felt really supported. 

Giving birth was the most liberating experience of my life. I was — and still am — in total awe of what women’s bodies can do. I came out of it with a whole new kind of respect for myself, and for mothers everywhere.

Shauna, Chris and baby Finn at the Rotunda Hospital

Shauna meeting her baby boy for the first time