Birth story - Jasper Jude

Well this is one birth story I wont forget in a hurry, and one Jasper can tell for years to come.

As we are all perfectly aware we're smack bang in the middle of a pandemic. There's no escaping the news of covid-19 and its effects. For us this was more true than others. Jasper was due on the 22nd march and because my husband had an unfortunately timed cold that was accompanied by a cough we were really hoping he would hold on so we could have a straight forward birth with him present. Jasper had other ideas though and didn't want to wait.

On the 17th March 2020 we were going about our day as normal self isolating at home. We Skyped my mum and discussed our plans for her arrival at the weekend in preparation for baby's arrival. In the afternoon we decided we would pop outside for a brief walk and some fresh air. I was having some tightenings with mild period like pain but this had been a regular occurrence for me the past few days so I didn't think too much of it. We got home and I made a start on our tea. Prawns, rice and veg. During this I was still getting the tightenings and the pain was a little more noticeable so I decided shortly after tea to jump in the bath and see if they eased. They didn't so I sent my mum a text pre warning her that she may need to come down tonight.

At this point the contractions were irregular coming anywhere from 10 to 4 minutes but I recognised the pain from Reuben. I told my husband to jump in the shower and I got Reuben ready for bed. We both put Reuben to bed as usual and I had 3 contractions in that time but I was able to breath through them without him noticing anything was wrong. It felt so surreal and a little sad kissing him goodnight for the last time as an only child. My mum set off from Yorkshire at around 7.15 and my sister in law was told she would need to be ready to pop over.

I called the labour line and explained everything and that I was GBS positive and wasn't sure when I needed to go in. Because the contractions still weren't fully regular they told me to give it half an hour and call back so that's what I did. When I called back they were roughly 5 minutes apart and they were happy for me to head in given it was baby no2 and the GBS status.

The issue was that my husband had this cold and of course I told them this information. They called the hospital to check and then called back to confirm we could both head into hospital and give birth in isolation. We just had to call when we were in the car park.

We arrived at the hospital, let them know we were there and they advised a midwife would come down to meet us with masks and escort us through the hospital. We were greeted by the midwife about 20 minutes later who explained they would take me first in a wheelchair and mask to asses and monitor me and make sure I was in active labour. My husband was to remain in the car at this point and then they would go and escort him with a mask too.

At 21.45 I was told I was 5cm and in active labour so they went to prepare my antibiotics and get my husband. The midwifes remained in masks, gloves and protective clothing the whole time and my husband had to keep his mask on. We were in our own room with separate bathroom in an isolated part on the maternity floor. My contractions were still quite spread out and although painful I didn't feel the need for gas and air straight away as I could breath through them. The midwife kept commenting how chilled I was.

By the time my husband got to the room at about 10.15 my contractions felt really strong and I asked for gas and air to help me. I decided I would try and go for a wee and whilst on the toilet my waters broke. I almost instantly felt my body trying to push. The midwife came to get us and was like "we're not having a baby in the bathroom". She got me back on the bed and on the monitor and noticed baby's heart rate was dropping. She immediately got me on my left side and another midwife in the room. She confirmed I was 10cm and to push when I next had a contraction.

The time between my waters breaking and baby being born was 20 minutes. I pushed for 11 minutes and baby was born. The head was born at 23.23 and much to the midwifes amusement was trying to cry. 2 minutes later Jasper was here and well. He was just a little shocked by the speed.

They passed him straight on to my chest and we enjoyed lots of cuddles and skin to skin whilst the midwife did her job. I had a shallow 2nd degree which required a few stitches but I feel a million times better than I did with Reuben and the episiotomy.

Jasper breastfed soon after and the entire birth was a positive experience where I was allowed to go with my body. The care I received was second to non and we were treated amazingly the entire time we were in hospital. They tested all 3 of us for covid - 19 which came back negative the day after we got home.

I cannot praise the staff enough and how they handled the situation. It wasn't ideal but they treated us with such care and attention whilst following isolation guidelines.

Jasper was born in a hurry into a world of uncertainty but he was the little bit of positivity we all needed. He weighed 6lb 14oz at 39 + 2 and had perfect observations for the 12 hours he was monitored. We couldn't be happier with our latest addition to the family