"Experiencing a vaginal breech birth"

At 34 weeks pregnant we discovered that our baby was breech and my partner and I decided to change hospitals to King Eddie’s as that was the recommendation from everyone and we would both feel more comfortable in the hands of people who actually had experience. I had no doubt in myself but so much doubt in the people around me at the initial hospital. We eventually managed to get a referral and was able to have a planned breech birth at King Eddie’s but also booked in a c section as back up where I would have been 40 and 2.

Our baby was born at 13:13 the day before the scheduled c section. I knew my instinct was right and that our baby did not want to be cut out, they wanted to come the way they wanted which was feet first. My contractions started at around 9:45 they were 1 in 10, we arrived at the hospital around 12 and by 12:30 they were 1 in 7. About 5mins later, after checking baby’s position - complete breech, they said I was 4-5cm dilated. I said no to meds as this was best with breech births and I also had no drugs with my first. My contractions then ramped up to every 2mins and I said get me to that delivery room because I need to start pushing now! They got me a wheelchair and as I moved to get off the bed my waters broke, when I got to the delivery room I immediately climbed onto the bed on my knees holding onto the back of the bed and started pushing! I could hear people coming in and someone saying “omg a leg is already out!” I got a play by play of each limb exiting, could feel every part of our baby as I pushed. It was such a different experience, there were no more contractions after I started pushing, it was just one long push with breaths wherever you can get one in. My body obviously knew what to do with the baby in this position.

I was told that the consultant on that day was the best I could have had for a breech birth and his presence next to my head was so calming, I was very thankful, at no point did I worry he was going to interfere. He said the things I needed to hear and I got our baby out in 8mins. I am so grateful for all the midwives who work so hard advocating for women’s basic rights to give birth and the knowledge and care they have for us is unrivalled.

It was not an easy process to be accepted to give birth at King Eddie’s, I went in to speak to a consultant as recommended by one of the midwives I spoke to over the phone who told me they couldn’t turn me away. After waiting over 3 hours (with my toddler in tow), the consultant we saw who works at both hospitals said I could not have my baby there due to my postcode and couldn’t even say I was a good candidate for it, they said I was “medium” but the only reason they gave as to why I wasn’t a good candidate for it was that I’m ‘small, wider hips would be better however that means my baby is smaller too so it’s all relative’, therefore I’m still unsure as to how I’m medium if that one negative isn’t actually a negative when personalised. I feel like they cannot physically bring themselves to say “you’re a good candidate”.

With the little time we had we overcame the postcode obstacle by getting a gp referral as recommended by a private midwife. I feel like this shouldn’t have been such an obstacle when a patient comes to you asking for the support they need because they were not receiving it at another supposed tertiary hospital. At already a very stressful time, being turned away was not helpful. Having to jump through hoops to give birth somewhere you felt had the relevant experience and better support at almost 39 weeks pregnant is not the kind of treatment women should be getting. So although I had an overall more positive experience at king Eddie’s it doesn’t mean improvement isn't still needed.