Monika: Two Births, First Hospital Birth, Birth Trauma and PTSD, Planned NHS Home Birth, Precipitous Labour, Born Before Arrival in the Shower, No Midwife or Doula Present, Husband Caught Baby

 Monika is a mum of two from Bedfordshire who shares two very different birth stories. Her first was a hospital birth that left her diagnosed with PTSD. A midwife from out of area who had never been to the unit before, waters broken accidentally during an internal examination, hours of pain with no support, and a postnatal period full of flashbacks. She knew before she left the hospital that she would need help to process it. So second time around she did things completely differently. She hired a doula at six weeks pregnant. She researched home birth until it stopped feeling scary. She joined a dedicated NHS home birth team who visited her at home, knew her history, and knew her daughter's name. She declined monitoring scans at 42 weeks because she trusted how she felt. And then at seven in the morning on a warm July day, standing in a narrow bathtub on all fours, she told her baby they were going to have to do this together. And they did. In this episode we talk about:What it is like to be left alone in a hospital corridor for over two hours in labour with no midwife availableHow a traumatic first birth led to a PTSD diagnosis and what getting that support quickly looked likeThe gradual process of coming around to home birth after swearing it would never be for herWhat it actually feels like to go to 42 weeks under a home birth team with no pressure to interveneDelivering her son in the shower before anyone arrived and what made it feel safe rather than frightening This episode is for anyone who had a traumatic first birth and is wondering whether it is possible to feel differently the second time. Monika's answer is yes. Completely, entirely, yes. 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 · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.