In labour and alone - hand hold please

[GoTraine]

I was induced earlier today. I just had a CTG and my contractions are between 50-80, every two minutes. Midwife said they'll break my waters as soon as I'm on delivery suite, But, there's no space on the delivery suite so I can't have any pain relief except paracetamol and, even worse, DH has been sent home because he's not allowed to stay unless I'm on delivery suite...and yet, they've made an exception for the only other woman on the ward so her DH is with her.

In my last labour, I was induced and went from them saying the induction had failed and they'd try again the next day to 8cm dilated and contracting like a bitch in less than 3 hours - my pushing phase was only 17 minutes. I'm terrified DH will miss it. I wanted a damn epidural and I'm scared it'll be too late by the time there's space in delivery.

I'm so alone.

Huge hugs. No one should be treated like this bit even in this atrocious situation you can do it!! Focus on the most important thing: getting that little girl out safely. Soon you'll be holding her and everything will be fine. Keep thinking of that.

(But yes, a million hand holds. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this and I'm so angry on your behalf. Make a fuss. Don't be an easy patient. Things habe to change. But while you are doing all that Please hold on to the thought of your little girl and how soon this will all be over.)

Hope you're ok today OP ❤️❤️ Sending warm wishes x

I’m losing waters but they haven’t properly gone. The doctor just came and said they won’t have a space on delivery until late afternoon. Apparently I’m the next on the list to go to delivery and I’m on the CTG again now. Too bloody hot and desperate to take my mask off.

Don't know how you're coping with a mask you poor thing 😔😔

Breathe. Each pain brings her closer to you.

you are not alone, there’s LOADS of us holding your hand and handing you a damp cloth for the back of your neck.

<waves pom poms>

Was about to type what tunnocks said ^ - there are a whole team of us here in spirit, women cheering on women. You are doing this, and you and baby have each other throughout this journey. I was taught labour is hard work for much love, and it's true. We are here with you.

Sod that. Take your mask off. How you’re supposed to Labour under those circumstances is beyond me. You have my utmost sympathy.

Not sure why you are having to wear a mask, but as you are in labour surely it can be taken off now? Do what makes you comfortable. Good luck OP

Oh you poor sausage

Here's a handhold x

Handhold here

Oh sweetheart, get your mask off! Take it off, wipe your face and neck with a wet cloth or a baby wipe and take a breather, literally. That mask does NOT have go back on. I have been there with a on/off labour for days in the unit, slow waters leaking, pessaries, just grind away with no sleep, I fully understand what you're dealing with right now.

You will get to the other side of this, and you can do it. You are stronger than you have ever imagined and you will amaze yourself over this next bit. Dig deep, you are incredible. There may be twists and turns you have not planned for but you can do it.

I was scared to speak up, to be a nuisance, as the staff were so pulled out and frantic, and I know it's so hard do do when you're on your own, but go with your gut. If you have something you need or want, speak up loudly, for your baby and yourself. As a pp has said, they don't own you, your decisions, your body, or your baby. Get your DP to hang about as close as possible, in the cafe, wherever, he will survive on a plastic chair for a few hours.

I hope that you're on the other side with your delicious baby looking up at you very very soon.

Really really push against this. I'm a big fan of mask wearing and still.occasionally do in crowded indoor spaces but I absolutely was not able to wear one during labour or the time just before it. They did a COVID test on me at some point but at no point was I asked to wear a mask

I cannot believe this. I'm so so sorry. Just say you are feeling faint or like you can't breathe. Bring the big guns out. Make a fuss. Cry. But inside hold on to that picture of your little girl and how soon you'll be holding her in your arms and this nightmare will be over. Huge hugs.

Just wanted to wish you luck. Not long now hopefully.

Hope you get sorted soon OP. Make sure you’re eating and drinking as low blood sugar can slow labour.

Take off your mask! I did in labour, no one could make me put it back on again as I made such a fuss. Good luck xx

Take the mask off they can't force you to wear it.
Hate that these draconian rules are still being put in place. The how they expect women to labour under these conditions is beyond me, now wonder your labour has stalled.

Sending you so much love. I went through the same thing in 2020, I can’t believe the rules haven’t changed!

Please advocate for yourself, kick off if you have to. You are incredibly vulnerable and if the midwife is rushed off her feet even more reason for you to have a birthing partner with you.

I’m still suffering with PND and PTSD from my experience so I urge you to fight for the support you need.

Bless you, @GoTraine .
Hope all goes well for you and your Baby and that your Husband gets there on time!
It is a hot time of year to give birth, {DS was born on a hot day in mid~ July years ago}
One thing I remember was a lovely young doctor who brushed my hair and plaited it back from my face saying ''You will feel cooler now''.. A very thoughtful thing to have done.

I regretted having pethidine.. Felt I'd missed my own son's birth by being so utterly zonked out.

Regarding pain relief, I too was given paracetamol initially
Thought I could go the whole journey just on those ..Wishful thinking !

Best of luck, and good wishes :)

Going through labour with a face mask?????????? And without your husband????????? Good Lord. I wonder how history will judge those who have inflicted these stupid, inhumane rules.

You're in my thoughts. It won't be long now and your bundle of joy will be here. All the best!

Take your mask off, you shouldn't be labouring in that. You need to focus on being able to breathe calmly. Hope they get you to delivery suite soon

Hi OP, I would totally agree in the mask removal! You need to be able to breathe and labour freely. Comfort - is there anything that can help reduce the stress and make you feel more calm. You need emotional support from your DH, say you are distressed and need him by your side

I can send a link to a calming instrumental music track that helped me in labour, slow breathing through contractions can help - breathe in through your nose for count of 4 (slow) then out through mouth slowly for count of 8. If you are able there is the Freya App that talks you through this with counting

Why did they let the other womans husband stay? That's mean. Best of luck OP, hope you've had the baby by now!

Try to relax, breathe, sip water, eat. Hoping for very best outcome for you. Moving around might help with contractions if you can. I feel like phoning the hospital on your behalf, but maybe that wouldn't be the right thing? X

Hi OP in my unit we assess 6 hourly for Prostin your cervix is given what's called a Bishop score anything over 7 in our unit you should be able to perform an ARM ie break your waters which is only done on labour ward. Second time mums can have a total of 3mg prostin gel they come in doses of 1 or 2 mg so you may be able to have another 1 or 2 gels depending on the amount they first gave.

Some reasons you might not have been reassessed are:

1.Tightening too regularly so if we give more Prostin could over stimulate your uterus very dangerous for baby and not good for you. Ctg should be performed 6 hourly irrespective of whether they are assessing you vaginally or not.

2.The labour ward is full and no beds available or more importantly not enough midwives to provide 1:1 care in labour. This is a safety issue and it is usually the consultant in charge of labour ward that will make the decision to suspend the inductions for safety reasons. Our unit has a maternity triage unit where spontaneous labourers are coming in all the time so they understandably jump the queue so to speak.

Prostin and being induced can give you a lot of discomfort I know and really do sympathise with you. As said previously we give Oromorph but you could ask the midwife to get a prescription from the registrar for IM analgesia Meptazinole or Pethidine as a last resort. We encourage mobilising birthing balls, baths and if I have the time back rubs and show partner where to apply pressure to ease that agonising back pain some ladies get.

I've been doing this 30 years now and I promise you we aren't all awful people. We go into this job to help women be with women and advocate for them and yes we do in my unit frequently.

I had a lovely lady the other week saying she didnt want to continue with her induction for large for dates. Each examination no progress high head closed cervix you could see where it was heading. I advised her to speak to consultant on the ward round next morning wrote it all in her notes for her. I came back on shift 2 days later they had done elective lscs 10lb beautiful baby. She was delighted and thanked me for the advice given and said the consultant completely agreed.

Stay strong my lovely ask for stronger analgesia as required try and mobilise as much as you can drink and graze throughout today. Let us know when Kezia arrives. I agree with others very pretty name. X

Re the mask wearing I obviously have no clue which hospital OP is in but our ladies are most definitely not wearing masks in labour or whilst sitting by beds.
They might be asked to wear if mobilising in corridor going to the loo. Yep I know its bloody ridiculous I agree with you all. I turn a blind eye if I see a pregnant woman without a mask as it makes no bloody sense at all. We don't make the rules though and if you have an ounce of sympathy or common sense you know when a mask is doing more harm than good.