Doula Birth Stories: Hayley

Born on 21st February 2025 at 5.07am

Hayley and Armand welcomed their baby, Frieda, into the world at Musgrove Park Hospital Labour Ward. Their journey to this moment was shaped by the devastating loss of their first daughter, Freya, born nearly a year ago to the day. Alongside this was a deep desire to experience a vaginal birth after a previous emergency cesarean section. 

They were supported throughout by myself, the midwifery team, and a few paramedics! My role in this birth was to support them through the very speedy arrival of their baby, keep the paramedics calm and negotiate a transfer into the Labour Ward.

This is Hayley's story of Frieda's arrival - the birth of a rainbow baby that was 'outside of guidelines', fast, furious and so deeply filled with love and relief:

"On 12th March 2024 I had a baby girl called Freya born by emergency C-section 8 weeks early after my water ruptured. Freya was born poorly and passed away aged 31 days. We fell unexpectedly pregnant a few months later.

I spent a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts, and soaking up all information on VBACs, labour, pregnancy, and everything to help me feel ready for the birth and empowered. I really feel this helped me to have a great birth and not just go with the flow and hope for the best.

On Thursday 20th of March 2025, I had a midwife appointment, and all was good, I was 40 weeks and 5 days. The baby was no more engaged than at my last appointment which I was a bit disappointed at, though she said it can all change quickly. She booked me for an induction for the following Thursday when I'd be 42 weeks but knew I would cancel as it wasn’t something I wanted.

When me and my boyfriend Armand got home, I did some more curb walking, ball exercises, and eating dates. We had a bit of a late evening and before bed I asked Armand to play the Tibetan and crystal bowls as it gets me into a calm meditative state.

We finally got to bed before 11.30pm which I knew wasn’t good if the baby was to come in the night and I’d need my energy.

Less than an hour later I suddenly woke up feeling a trickle and ran to the en-suite. I knew this was my waters and things were starting. I’d read how it’s best to go back to bed to rest until things ramp up. I tried this but within 10 minutes I realised I was too uncomfortable and I couldn’t sleep through the contractions.

I woke Armand to tell him but told him to sleep until I needed him. I went to our main bathroom to be on the ‘dilation station’. After 10 minutes I called Jen to let her know my waters had gone and so she could gauge how I was coping and how close the contractions were. After 10 minutes of chatting, I said I would wake Armand as I needed the TENs machine to help me with the intensity as they were feeling quite strong and close.

After having the TENs machine on I thought maybe I’d try relaxing on the sofa but after a few minutes, I felt the need to be in the bathroom again. I had started to feel like I wanted to start pushing and I was worried that we wouldn’t make it to hospital in time and I’d give birth in the car, or on the Blackdown hills. We called the labour ward and they said to call for an ambulance. The 999-operator said to Armand for me to not be on the toilet and to get on the floor.

Soon after Jen walked into the bathroom and within minutes 4 paramedics joined us. Jen said she could see the baby's head which was great to hear. She kept me calm, said I was doing really well, and I was now using the gas & air to help me cope with the strong contractions as well as the TENs.

After about 1.5 hours the paramedics said because there was no progress I needed to go in. I was supposed to be going to Bracken, as I’d been given approval to give birth there. But going in by ambulance with me having the C-section the year before and no progress, I was taken to the labour ward.

Pushing in the ambulance with Armand in the front I was worried he would miss our daughter being born. Luckily, we made it to the hospital in time and so did Jen, who with the 2 amazing midwives supported me and encouraged me so I could push her out. I was recommended an episiotomy as different positions weren’t helping her to come out. Once cut, with one or two determined pushes, and our gorgeous rainbow Frieda was born 20 minutes after we had arrived at hospital and 4.5 hours after my waters had gone. I had done it. A VBAC 12 months and 9 days after my EMCS. I was elated and so happy my baby girl was healthy and well.

Frieda was placed on my chest and was on the boob soon after. We waited for white with the umbilical cord and had 2 golden hours of skin to skin with no interruptions. We also used our rainbow cord tie.

It was a great birth, very fast and intense, but a healing experience compared to the EMCS and the stress and worry we had with our first born.

Jen really gave me confidence and belief in myself and my body, and she made me and Armand feel more comfortable and supported going into birth, especially planning a VBAC 1 year after my EMCS."