Holly’s first birth was an induction for obstetric cholestasis that ended in an emergency caesarean. Eight years later the cholestasis came back, and this time she had her VBAC at home on her living room floor.
Holly is a mum of two from Hull. Her first pregnancy was low risk until the itching started at around 38 weeks, and she was diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis just before her due date. She felt a lot of pressure to be induced and agreed at 40 plus three. After a balloon, her waters being broken and the hormone drip, her contractions barely stopped and her son’s heart rate kept dropping for nine hours. When it didn’t recover, she went for an emergency caesarean.
Second time round Holly and her husband Dan worked with a virtual doula and decided what they’d do in every scenario before they got there. She declined extra growth scans, went back to midwife led care and kept her NHS home birth plan when the cholestasis returned, signing a form at 41 weeks to accept the risks. On the day the trust nearly had no midwives to cover the night, and her contractions stopped every time she was on the phone. She laboured on her knees over the sofa, went through a blissful, quiet transition and pushed her daughter Kiara out on the living room floor, weighing 8lb 15oz.
In this episode we talk about:
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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