Experiencing Natural Childbirth in the UK: My Journey and Insights

2023-11-04 21:13:58

I originally scheduled an induction at 39 weeks, but when I arrived at the hospital, too many pregnant women came to the emergency department that day and the hospital was overwhelmed, so my induction was postponed to 2 p.m. on 39 weeks + 5 days, which was only two days ahead of my due date. Although I don’t know what the meaning is? But we can only accept that the NHS is for patients who need it, not patients who want it.

On the day of my second induction appointment, the hospital called me in the morning and asked me if I could go there immediately to induce labor. I took the delivery kit and rushed to the hospital immediately. After entering the ward, I first monitored the baby’s heartbeat. Once everything was normal, I underwent internal examination first. Then I inserted medicine to soften the cervix. I had to lie still for the first 30 minutes after the medicine was inserted. , if there are no signs of labor after taking the medicine for 24 hours, the water will be broken artificially. However, many pregnant women can give birth within 24 hours. I was assigned to an independent delivery room. The delivery room has a bed, a dining table, a single sofa, a sink, a locker, a yoga ball and a TV. After taking the medicine, you can wait for the baby’s signal.

The effect of the medicine took effect 11 hours after the medicine was used, and the result of internal examination was only 4 centimeters… But the midwife felt that it was okay to enter the delivery room. After entering the delivery room, there was another midwife who delivered the baby, and the handover and all preparations were completed (blood drawing, Teach me how to use laughing gas and how to focus on breathing and exerting force). When the birth is really about to begin, there will be two midwives on site to deliver the baby.

Mothers who give birth in the UK will be divided into high or low risk groups. Mothers who want pain relief will be in the high risk group, while water births are in the low risk group. In the UK, from prenatal care to delivery, everything is free. If there is an emergency and a caesarean section is required, it is free. If a pregnant woman personally chooses to have a caesarean section, she can go to a private hospital for a fee.

Due to the abnormal fetal position of the baby, every contraction made it impossible for me to sit or stand in the position required by the midwife. Later, I couldn’t bear it anymore and I changed my lying position. There are many positions for giving birth and you can discuss them with the midwife. My midwife was very calm and basically A Zen master, no matter how my reaction is not in line with her expectations, she can calmly say “I need you to do this, listen to your body”. I really need to listen carefully to how my body tells my mother what to do. , it was very strange that the contractions had reached the point where I could give birth, but the amniotic fluid still did not break. Finally, the water was broken artificially. After the water broke, the pain of the contractions made me want to push out, and then the baby was born! The husband who accompanied the birth said that he first I saw the head, and then I saw the whole baby. Everything ended too quickly. I felt the process of natural childbirth inexplicably. It felt so wonderful! Breathing and exertion must be coordinated to avoid excessive wounds and excessive blood loss. I can only say that I I was very lucky to meet a very good midwife. The midwife for my first pregnancy didn’t have much function…

Before delivery, the midwife will confirm again whether the mother wants to skin to skin. If she agrees, the baby will be placed directly on the mother after birth. The wonderful thing is that after giving birth in the UK, hot drinks and buttered toast will be provided to the mother and father. After the birth, I think the cheap baked toast + milk marin is particularly delicious. Before waiting for the paperwork to be completed, the mother can also take a bath. Taking a bath is a personal choice. I personally think it will be more comfortable to wash away the blood stains.

This natural birth went smoothly. I walked to the maternity center by myself after giving birth. The last time I gave birth, I was pushed in in a wheelchair after receiving an IV drip.

In the UK, natural births are mainly delivered by midwives. If the labor process is too long and it is necessary to use vacuum suction or birth clamps to assist natural birth, there will be a doctor. However, the doctor will leave after delivering the baby. It is the midwife who will suture the wound. I When I was pregnant with my first child, I was also worried about the delivery care provided by the NHS in the UK. Why were there only two ultrasounds? Why were the babies not delivered by doctors? After two birth experiences, I felt that it was very useful for midwives to assist in caring for pregnant and postpartum women. It makes people feel at ease, but there is really no need for professional doctors to take care of low-risk pregnant/partum women, which is a waste of medical resources. The video about the work of midwives, The Incredible Daily Life Of A Midwife, is very good, for those who are interested You can take a look, I hope it will be helpful to mothers preparing to give birth in the UK.

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