Childbirth is a deeply personal experience, unique to every mother. Yet, one thing that should be universal is the importance of proper postpartum care. Unfortunately, after giving birth, many of us are left to navigate recovery with minimal medical guidance. Looking back on my own journey, I can’t help but wish I had access to something like the Full Natal Check (Mummy MOT) offered by HLP Therapy.
In this blog, I share my birthing story across three pregnancies and shed light on why postnatal checkups should be a standard part of care for all new mums.
My First Birth: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Labour Begins
It was a hot August day in 2012, and at 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first baby. Contractions began early in the morning, and while I was nervous, I was ready. I stayed at home for as long as I could, using a birthing ball and watching TV to stay calm.
After a drive to the hospital for what felt like forever (even though we don’t live far away), I was already 3–4 cm dilated. I had been through a premature prevention clinic due to previous cell removal on my cervix and I had been tested for GroupB Strep so I had my first dose of antibiotics through an IV drip. We felt like we were quickly moved to a delivery suite although I had lost all sense of timings.
My yoga practice, tens machine, and carefully curated playlist helped me reach 10 cm. But after hours of pushing and probably having an entire canister of gas and air, my baby hadn’t descended. It felt like something wasn’t right.
An Emergency C-Section
The doctor explained that my baby was in a difficult position, and I’d need either a forceps delivery or an emergency C-section. Within minutes, I was taken into theater. Forceps failed so my beautiful boy was born by C-section at 4.28pm, weighing 9 lbs 3 oz. He was rushed away to the paediatrics team who were on standby in the room who helped him take his first breaths before we could see and hold him. It was the perfect moment, being able to hear him cry and hold him.
After the Birth
After Freddie was born, I didn’t heal that well. Due to some complications, we had to stay in hospital for 6 days which was really difficult. At my 6 week checkup, the doctor barely looked at my scar. In fact, the next day a very upset and hungry Freddie kicked me and managed to reopen a part of my scar. I headed to A&E and was given antibiotics to treat an infection. This infection was missed at my 6 weeks check.
I really wish I would have known about HLP Therapy's Full Natal Check (Mummy MOT) at this point, as I know it would have been picked up on and dealt with. Eventually, everything all then healed in its own time.
My Second Birth: A Calmer Experience
Choosing an Elective C-Section
18 months later we got married and then 6 months later found out we were expecting our second child. After the experience with my first baby, I opted for an elective C-section. On March 16, 2015, I nervously waited my turn at the hospital. This time, everything felt calmer and more controlled. The medical team was kind and supportive, even cracking jokes to ease my nerves.
The Recovery was Not so Easy!
At 4:28 p.m. (the exact same time as my first!), my second baby boy was born. He was perfect, and I felt so grateful. My physical recovery was far more straight forward, it was like my body knew what to do. I healed faster and I didn’t have any infections or sores. But mentally I had post-natal depression.
I am from a big family and as time went by we decided to try for another baby. I still had my first birth in my mind and felt I needed some closure on that. I contacted the local birth reflections team and had a lovely appointment at home in which a trained midwife went through all my notes on my first birth. I said I still felt a bit of a failure and she described to me how there was nothing I could have done differently. Freddie was a big baby and he turned at the last minute, there was no way he could have been born any differently. This gave me the closure I needed.
My Third Birth: A Dramatic Turn
Planning a VBAC
By 2019, I was expecting my third baby. This time, I wanted to try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). With two boys at home, I hoped to avoid the longer recovery of a C-section. I had a doctor's meeting to confirm my decision, I was classed as high risk, because of Group B strep and VBAC.
On March 4, 2020, contractions started late at night. We rushed to the hospital, where I was hooked to a monitor, examined, told I wasn’t coping well. They asked:
"Do you want a C-section now?”
My husband advocated for me so well, I waited an hour for pain relief. I lay holding his hand, controlling my breathing by listening to music and the heartbeat of my baby girl from the monitor. I asked my husband to go and ask if they could change the bedsheets as they were all wet, the midwife examined me again and exclaimed that my waters had broken and I was 10 cm dilated, everyone seemed to then go to panic mode, and I was rushed down to delivery suite.
A Uterine Rupture
Suddenly, things took a dramatic turn. I was moved to another bed, as I screamed in pain on transfer, the red button was pressed, the room flooded with people and immediately I was being taken down a corridor while being put to sleep.
Waking up confused, I looked down and saw my husband holding our new baby girl in his arms. Apparently, I had experienced a uterine rupture and had to be put to sleep to have an emergency C-section. I had lost a lot of blood and was waiting to know if I needed a transfusion. I was told in recovery by the consultant that saved our lives that I would not safely be able to have any more children. I was fine with that, I felt extremely grateful to be alive and to have my baby girl.
If you had told me I wouldn’t have been awake for the birth of my daughter I would have been upset that I would miss out on the bonding that I got to have with my sons, but I can honestly say that didn’t happen. I felt so blessed to have her safe and well in my arms that how she got here didn’t matter at all and I still feel like that.
Arabella was born two weeks before the world shut down with the pandemic, so my postnatal care was very different to my other births. My 6 week check-up was virtual, and they didn’t ask any questions about myself.
Why Postpartum Natal Checks Are Essential
After my third birth, I finally booked a Full Natal Check at HLP Therapy. It was life-changing. The check included scar therapy, pelvic floor assessments, and exercises tailored to my needs. This care helped me recover from diastasis recti, a hypertonic pelvic floor, and scar tissue tightness.
Reflecting on my experiences, I can’t help but think about how many mums are left to recover without adequate support. Postnatal issues like infections, scar healing, and pelvic floor dysfunction often go undiagnosed. A Full Natal Check could make all the difference.
Every Mum Deserves Better Care
Three children and one scar later, I wouldn’t change my birth stories. But I firmly believe postnatal care needs to be prioritised. Every mum deserves the chance to recover fully, both physically and emotionally.
Having a natal checkup (Mummy MOT) after birth shouldn’t be seen as a luxury – they should be mandatory. Let’s advocate for mandatory postpartum checks to ensure no mum feels unsupported during such a critical time.
Watch below for a video from Hannah about recognising & dealing with the emotions of a C section birth.
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