Frieda's Arrival: A Journey of Healing and Empowerment

A New Beginning After Loss

Born on 21st March 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, they had a deep desire to experience a vaginal birth after a previous emergency cesarean section.

Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of supporting them. I worked closely with the midwifery team and a few paramedics. My role was to help them navigate 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—a birth filled with love, relief, and the promise of new beginnings.

The Heartbreaking Past

"On 12th March 2024, I had a baby girl named Freya. She was born by emergency C-section, eight weeks early, after my waters 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."

Preparing for Frieda's Arrival

On Thursday, 20th March 2025, I had a midwife appointment. Everything looked good; I was 40 weeks and 5 days. However, the baby was no more engaged than at my last appointment, which was a bit disappointing. The midwife scheduled an induction for the following Thursday when I would be 42 weeks, but I knew I would cancel it. Induction wasn’t something I wanted.

When Armand and I got home, I did some curb walking, ball exercises, and ate dates. We had a late evening, and before bed, I asked Armand to play the Tibetan and crystal bowls. This helps me get into a calm meditative state. We finally went to bed before 11.30 pm, which I knew wasn’t ideal if the baby was to come during the night. I needed my energy.

The Moment of Truth

Less than an hour later, I suddenly woke up feeling a trickle and ran to the en-suite. I knew this was my waters breaking, and things were starting. I had read that 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 to sleep through the contractions.

I woke Armand to tell him but asked 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. I wanted her to gauge how I was coping and how close the contractions were. After 10 minutes of chatting, I decided to wake Armand because I needed the TENS machine to help with the intensity of the contractions.

After getting the TENS machine on, I thought I’d try relaxing on the sofa. However, after a few minutes, I felt the need to be in the bathroom again. I started to feel like I wanted to push, and I worried we wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time. I feared I would give birth in the car or on the Blackdown Hills. We called the labour ward, and they advised us to call for an ambulance. The 999 operator told Armand to get me off the toilet and onto the floor.

A Chaotic Arrival

Soon after, Jen walked into the bathroom, and within minutes, four paramedics joined us. Jen said she could see the baby's head, which was great to hear. She kept me calm, reassuring me that I was doing really well. I used gas and air to cope with the strong contractions, along with the TENS machine.

After about 1.5 hours, the paramedics said I needed to go in because there was no progress. I was supposed to go to Bracken, as I had been approved to give birth there. However, given my previous C-section and the lack of progress, I was taken to the labour ward.

Pushing in the ambulance, I worried Armand would miss our daughter being born. Luckily, we made it to the hospital in time, and so did Jen. With the help of two amazing midwives, I was encouraged to push. I was recommended an episiotomy, as different positions weren’t helping her to come out. Once cut, with one or two determined pushes, our gorgeous rainbow Frieda was born 20 minutes after we arrived at the hospital and 4.5 hours after my waters had broken. I had done it—a VBAC 12 months and 9 days after my emergency C-section. I was elated and so happy that my baby girl was healthy and well.

The First Moments Together

Frieda was placed on my chest and latched on soon after. We waited for the cord to stop pulsing before cutting it, and we enjoyed two golden hours of skin-to-skin contact 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 emergency C-section and the stress we had with our firstborn.

Jen really gave me confidence and belief in myself and my body. She made both Armand and me feel more comfortable and supported going into the birth, especially as we planned a VBAC just one year after my emergency C-section.

Embracing the Journey Ahead

As I reflect on this journey, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. The experience of bringing Frieda into the world was not just about the birth itself; it was about healing from past trauma and embracing the future with hope and love.

Every moment, from the anticipation to the delivery, was filled with lessons and emotions. I encourage anyone reading this to trust their body and their instincts. You are capable of more than you know, and with the right support, you can navigate this incredible journey of parenthood.

In the end, it’s about creating a space where love can flourish, and where every parent feels empowered to embrace their unique journey.