Rhianna is a first time mum who shares a fast and positive NHS midwife led unit water birth. She was diagnosed with gestational diabetes late in pregnancy but stayed diet controlled throughout, with no concerns for her or baby Teddy. She spent months preparing with hypnobirthing, antenatal classes and online birth communities, hoping for a water birth with as little intervention as possible. When labour arrived two weeks early, it moved faster than anyone expected.
Within fifteen minutes of calling the midwives, her contractions went from nothing to intense. By the time she reached hospital she was already six centimetres dilated. What followed was a water birth, a stretch of guided pushing when her baby's heart rate needed close watching, and a birth so fast that the midwives in the room told her to consider a home birth next time.
In this episode we talk about:
This episode is for anyone who wants to hear what a fast, positive water birth can really feel like, even when it happens nothing like you expected.
The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care.
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