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February 2026 Babies 🇬🇧

Full birth story at 41wks +induction

I was GBS+ and had diet controlled gestational diabetes. I had 3 sweeps from 39 weeks. The first got me open, 2nd gave me 1cm the 3rd not much was still at 1cm at 40weeks.
Lost my mucus plug from 38 weeks and it just kept on coming away. Had braxtons hicks from 36 weeks. Ramping up in how long they lasted but got to regular.

40+6 went in at 12pm for induction. Didn't get a cooks balloon till 5pm. They managed to fill it up to 80ml I used the gas and air during insertion.
Contractions came still 10mins apart. Then I could release urine at all. That was very painful. I used a tens machine and after 8 hours they released some of the balloon to help me wee. It didn't help. Pain from contractions and lack of bladder emptying.
Removed balloon at 12 hours so 5am the next day. They said I was still only 1cm. So then left me to it. I said I don't want the pitocin drip so I'd rather be put on the list for a c section. They said drs will discuss on their rounds maybe 9-10am.

I don't really know what happened next as from 6am to 8am I did not let go of the gas and air. I didn't move off the bed bent forward over the side in high intense contractions.
Midwife's said I was fine I screamed for a bedpan as my bladder had woken up. My husband asked if all of it was normal, midwife's said yeh she's good.

8am my lovely midwife from the day before heard me and saw me and asked if I felt the need to push, I said no, as I had no idea what that felt like!! She then said her waters have gone that's not urine and we need to check her and I heard them shout, she's ready it's 10 and I can see the baby's head !!

Rolled over to delivery room and did all the things I thought you weren't meant to do! On my back, legs wide, breath holding pushing. Everytime I tried to breath out and push they told me not to!? 830 to 9am and baby was out. 2nd degree tear which took forever to stitch up as was quite high.

Did it on gas and air and till he was out I didn't think I would be able to do it! Buts he's here and I'm in a daze even though it's my 2nd baby! (1st was an emergency c in COVID!)

Anyone still waiting, happy to answer any questions on induction etc.