Sami’s Birth Story – Giving birth during COVID-19 –

Being pregnant and having a baby in 2020 has been a totally different experience the 2^nd time around for baby number 2.

When I was due to have Sami everything was still in lockdown and it was such an uncertain time for everyone with everything going on in the world. To be quite honest it was super scary and it certainly triggered lots of anxiety leading up to the birth.

As I am generally a relaxed – easy going kind of person and with it being my 2^nd birth I kept calm and focused on my breathing and just kept saying as it’s the 2^nd time around ‘At least I know what I am doing this time’. As most new mums (like my self the first time) it is all very overwhelming as you honestly don’t know what to expect and each birth is totally different so anything can happen.

My husband kept saying it will be fine (which is was) but like I said just because my first birth with Adem was normal it doesn’t mean it will happen again so its always good to be mentally prepared for anything.

The 2^nd birth certainly happens a lot faster that’s for sure!

Leading up to the birth we had the midwife checks like normal so I was kept up to date with everything happening in the hospitals with regards to Covid-19 and if the birth partners are allowed in the room during the birth etc. This was a big worry for us as my husband was so upset to the thought that he might not be allowed to even be in the hospital during the birth and doing it alone certainly wasn’t how I wanted it to happen.

When I attended my 40 week midwife check we got the update that at our hospital the partners were allowed to be in the room only if it’s a natural birth and this is what I opted for as I had a totally natural birth with no pain relief with Adem so I wanted the same again and as I was low risk we just hoped for the best as this is totally out of our hands.

On the 7th of June 2020 I went into labour, I was 2 days over due. The contractions started about 11am and I had the classic lower back pains in the morning which usually indicates labour is starting. By the afternoon the contractions had rapidly increased and were getting super close together.

My husband came home from his office in the afternoon to help with Adem so I could focus on the contractions and timing them too.

My Mum was on stand by to come and look after Adem when we went to the hospital.

Just after my Mum arrived my waters broke at 8.10pm – for my first birth my waters broke in the hospital in the water bath so this was definitely an experience that’s for sure, it literally felt like a water balloon popped in between my legs which made me scream, in pain and in shock!

As soon as I sorted my self out we got out the door as fast as we could, squeezing Adem goodbye saying we will bring home his little brother for him.

We arrived at the hospital at 8.50pm, I was having contractions about 1.5 mins apart at this point so super close and very painful. My husband wasn’t allowed into the birthing section so I had to go the the reception myself and give in all of my paperwork which having numerous contractions then being made to pee in a bottle too. It was all very stressful and wearing a mask and gloves the whole time too. I was then taken to a private section to be checked over to see how many centimetres I was and to have the Covid-19 test. I was 5cm and ready to go into the room.

Once I got into my private birthing suite with the water bath my husband was then allowed to be escorted to our room. I knew it was going to happen very soon so my midwife got the bath ready for me to get into. Immediately after getting into the bath I was instantly relieved and it reduced the pain dramatically. I would highly recommend a water birth! I tried to have one for my first birth but it sadly didn’t happen with Adem.

After being in the birthing suite for 1 hour I delivered Baby Sami at 10.25pm on the 7th on June weighing a very healthy 8 pounds 4 ounces. I had the amazing experience of being able to deliver Sami myself which was truly magical and my husband filmed the whole thing. I had the skin to skin and then I delivered the placenta which in all honestly is like a stingray!!!

I didn’t have hardly any photos after Adem was born so I’m super glad my husband remembered this time. The first birth was much longer so we were both exhausted.

We were able to have a few hours together before my husband was asked to leave and return back to the hospital once I was discharged in the morning.

This was super emotional for him to have to leave us both in the hospital. But as this was my 2^nd baby I felt ok to be by myself and it was 3am so we just rested. I didn’t sleep as my adrenaline was still high.

At 10.30 am my husband was able to come and collect us and we were reunited. We couldn’t wait to get home to Adem for him to meet his little Brother Sami.

My overall experience of having a baby during this global pandemic was generally positive and the midwife was amazing we actually had a giggle even during labour but that’s totally my personality.

I just want to say a massive thankyou to all the amazing NHS staff they have done such amazing job and made me feel so at ease well minus the pain haha.

We are now a family of 4 and Sami has fit perfectly into our little world. Such a dream baby.

I hope you have enjoyed reading our birth story. Xxx

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lots of love xxx