Birth Story – Breech Birth & Emergency C Section
A beautiful and incredibly brave Mumma, Trace, shares the story of the birth of her daughter Harriet, who arrived a few weeks early in a whirlwind of calm, courage and unexpected turns.
Harriet’s Birth Details
Name: Harriet
Gender: Female
Birth date & time: November 21, 2020 at 8.05pm
Size & weight: 42.5cm and 5lb 11oz
We chose to find out the gender, but had the sonographer call my sister to tell her. She then sent an outfit up to my husband’s bach — the same place he proposed. It was so special opening that outfit, just the two of us, in a place filled with meaning. The following day we shared the news with our families and close friends.
Waters Breaking at 35 Weeks
I was in Newmarket grabbing a few things for her nursery when my waters broke at 4.05pm. Not like the movies — more of a “did I just wet myself?” moment. I was 35 weeks + 3 days.
By 7.30pm I was fully dilated and rushed to theatre five minutes later because Harriet was breech.
When Plans Change
We had known she was breech from around 20 weeks. At 26 and 32 week growth scans she was still breech, and at 34 weeks we discussed options including an ECV at 35+6. We didn’t make that appointment.
We were flexible and open to how birth could look. On assessment ward we were asked if we would consider a vaginal breech delivery. However, after a scan revealed she was “extended breech” and wedged under my ribs, a C section became the only safe option.
Emergency C Section
It was a whirlwind, but surprisingly my husband and I stayed very calm.
Being wheeled to theatre was surreal. My husband walked beside the bed, updating our parents. I felt nervous waiting for the epidural to work because they needed to get her out quickly. If it failed, I would have needed a general. Thankfully it worked.
The C section was intense — so much pressure as she was very stuck. Hearing her cry was the biggest relief.
Seeing Harriet in my husband’s arms for the first time was incredible. But her heart rate dropped quickly and she needed help breathing. Not being able to see what was happening was hard, but the anaesthetist was amazing at keeping me updated.
NICU & First Cuddle
Harriet needed CPAP and was taken to NICU. My husband went with her — something we had discussed during antenatal classes — and I joined them after 50 minutes in recovery.
Not being able to hold her straight away was heartbreaking. Seeing her in an incubator with CPAP, IV lines and cords attached was terrifying.
But she was in the safest place possible.
I had my first cuddle at 5am the next morning. It was AMAZING.
We did hours of skin to skin over the next five days until she moved to the ward with me. I cannot recommend skin to skin enough. Whilst the outfits are cute, nothing compares to nappy-only snuggles on bare skin.
She latched beautifully at 36 hours old. That moment felt incredible too.
Recovery & Hospital Life
I felt surprisingly good post birth. I was showering at 3am and walking around like a baby giraffe.
In many ways, having a baby in NICU helped my recovery because I sat in a chair most of the day or walked back to my room every three hours to pump.
First visitors were our parents. It felt intense introducing them to our baby in an incubator.
On night seven my husband ordered White & Wong via Uber Eats and it was hands down the best meal of the year.
Being discharged eight days after her birth was the best feeling — to finally be home together.
Looking Back
NICU is an intense, emotional place. The nurses, doctors and lactation consultants were phenomenal. We felt incredibly supported.
Harriet was a fighter and grew stronger each day.
She is now thriving — a mini version of her dad with my eyes.
Trace x