Better Births: Does anyone have any traumatic birth stories?

[Harperl]

Calling all mothers!

My name is Lindsay and I am working with the Better Births campaign.

We're looking for case studies of women (aged 18-35) who?ve had a tough time in the delivery room and are happy to share their experiences.

Perhaps you had an emergency caesarean or an especially long labour that has had long-lasting emotional and physical affects.

Perhaps your experience has prevented you from trying for any more children.

Maybe your baby was delivered with the help of forceps or vacuum extraction.

If you know anyone, be it neighbour, sister, auntie or friend, who would like to tell us about their birth battle please get in touch.

Also ? if you suffer from diabetes or have been diagnosed as obese and have recently had a baby or are expecting, we?d love to hear your story too.

We?re looking to use case studies as part of a fundraising campaign for the Centre for Better Births, a project led by the University of Liverpool in partnership with Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, to improve the way women give birth.

For more information on the Centre for Better Births visit www.betterbirths.org

For more info email Lindsay on [email protected]

Many thanks in advance,
Lindsay

Hi Lindsay, I had a fast labour and ventouse delivery which left me quite traumatised although physically ok, does that count? I'm posting from my phone because my laptops broken, I can't send emails or access that website from my phone. I'd be happy to share my experience, is there a phone number I can call?

why the age cut-off? I would have loved to have particiapted but am too old (am 42 had my last baby two years ago).

Is it only for women in the UK?

i'm 36 and had a fairly long labour and ended up having syntocin drip to speed things up and epidural that didn't work. Am I too old?

I'm 25 and had a difficult labour a year ago...very long, drip, ventouse, plus a complete lack of staff etc etc. I would be interested in participating!

I've had 2.

What is it you want to know?

Have to say I'm in two minds about anything too detailed as, like many women who have had terrible experiences, I'd really rather not dredge it all up again.

I am 26 and have recently had my first baby. It was pretty traumatic - drugs I didn't want to have, episiotomy, kiwi delivery, problems delivering the placenta etc. I would be happy to be involved.

Thanks so much for all your responses. I had been in touch with several people so far and all is going well.

Are there any first time mums out there who had a tough time in the delivery room? Has it put you off having more children? Would you like to be the face of our Better Births campaign? If so, please get in touch.

We're also looking for ladies, in the UK, with a BMI of 30+ who have had a baby or thinking of conceiving.

How do you feel/ have you felt your weight is affecting your pregnancy? Have you received/ Did you receive any advice about conceiving or giving birth?

Thanks again,
Lindsay

(contact: [email protected] or call me on 0161 214 7996)

Hi,

I would be happy to be involved.

Had failed ventouse then forceps and episiotomy with my first two years ago. Recently had an ELCS with my second in order to avoid more of the same.

I would be happy to share.

I had a forceps birth and 3rd degree tear. Had to be stitched in theatre by the surgeon. Currently pregnant again but have to see the consultant as they may recommend a c section this time due to damage.

Had a look at your website and looks like some really useful research going on.
I had a difficult delivery - group B strep sepsis, Em LSCS for foetal disress, DIC secondary to sepsis, 7 litre PPH and ITU admission - SCBU admission for babe. Happy ending in that we were both fine thanks to a brilliant obstetric team but very scary. Still thinking about another baby 3 yrs on - we are both anxious about it, especially husband, but hopefully we'll both be ready to consider it in another year or so.
Feel free to message me if I can be any help.

hello

i would be very happy to be involved
my dd was born 3 years ago.

at 28weeks i was diagnosed with pre eclampsia
then the following week the midwife said it was a load of rubbish and the doc was exagerating!
was repeatedly told i was over reacting as "oh its your first pregnancy then."

at 38 weeks was rushed into hospital to be induced.. twentyfour hours later my waters broke, when i told a nurse she said " don't be so rediculous i bet you just wet the bed!" (i hadn't)

18 hours later drip in, epidural done just about to be wheeled in for c section when my mother piped up "has anyone checked vaginally?"

babys head visible,in distress,
failed ventouse,epesiotomy, 4th degree tears from forceps, sent home 2days later, then rushed back the next day as pre-eclampsia developed into eclampsia, various operations and meds later i have been advised not to have any more children!

thankfully dd is fit and healthy and none the worse for wear.

Hi all,

Thanks for your messages!

If anyone is willing to tell their story and be the face of the campaign please email me at [email protected] and send a hi-res photo of mum and baby.

We want to let others know about your struggles to secure more funding into pregnancy and birth research.

Thanks again,
Lindsay