062 - Annie | 2nd baby, IVF, HBAC, prodromal labour, doula, foetal ejection reflex, BBA, PPH, 3rd degree tear

In this episode we're hearing from Annie about her amazing HBAC. This is Annie's second time on the pod so you might remember her first birth story; a lengthy induction that lead to a c-section. Today we're hearing how that experience heavily influenced the choices she made this time around. She knew that birthing at home would give her the best at the VBAC she wanted, so she gathered her support team, researched the risks of a vaginal birth following a caesarean, and focussed on building up trust in her body and her intuition. After a tough pregnancy filled with intense nausea and overwhelming exhaustion Annie's labour seemed to be beginning at 37 weeks, but what followed was 3 long weeks of tiring and mentally challenging prodromal labour. When the day finally came, Annie laboured steadily at home until the evening when things very quickly intensified and her daughter was born in the bathroom before the midwives arrived. She shares with us her experience of postpartum haemorrhage and subsequent transfer in to hospital and how despite not having the exact birth she imagined she feels really lucky with how it all went.   Annie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/annieclarke_/  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/