Layla: Second Birth, Positive Twin Water Birth, Identical Twins, Physiological Birth, Birthing Out of Guidelines, Induction, Ventouse Twin Two

The consultant told her on her head be it. She was 30 weeks pregnant with identical twins and asking for a water birth so she changed care providers and started again. Layla is a doula now based in Devon who shares one of the most extraordinary birth stories on this podcast. Already known to listeners from her first episode about her home birth with her son, this time she was navigating a high-risk twin pregnancy during COVID, fighting for access to the pool, and going up against consultants who told her a vaginal water birth was simply not something she could have. She sacked the first consultant. Met with the head of midwifery. Wrote it all into her birth plan. And then trusted her body to do the rest. Her waters were broken at midnight. By 3am she was in the pool. By 5am she was 8cm. Her first twin was born in the water, caught by no one but Layla herself. Her second twin dropped into the pelvis so fast her heart rate disappeared. What followed was the calmest, most controlled emergency nobody even told Layla was happening. In this episode we talk about: What it is actually like to find out you are having identical twins alone at a 12-week scan during COVID Why Layla sacked her first consultant and how she requested a new one What twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is and why it meant fortnightly scans throughout her pregnancy How she secured access to the birthing pool for a twin birth by threatening a home birth What happened when her second twin's heart rate disappeared after Twin One was born Why birthing out of guidelines does not mean birthing without support How Ellie the midwife and one very excited doctor made the whole thing possible This episode is for anyone carrying twins who has been told that what they want is not possible. Layla is proof that with the right information, the right team, and the right room, it absolutely can be. The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.