Giving birth

[Midwife] We know that pain is a real concern for many women, and for some, especially for Black mums to be, evidence tells us that it's not just the pain that's worrying.

It’s that fear that your voice or your concerns might not be heard.

We want you to know that you're not alone in feeling this way, and we're here to support you.

[Rahma] I looked at the statistics about Black women, when accessing the maternity care and the outcomes were not great.

And that created anxiety for me. Will I be listened to? Will my decisions be respected?

But the moment I walked in, the midwife was very welcoming. So she talked me through what to expect. Pain was definitely one of my main concerns.

At my first midwife appointment, I requested to see a consultant and I went through my birth options.

And when I was considering elective caesarean, she even sent me more information, took me through pros and cons, and the different varieties of pain management.

I attended an online class about pain relief and the different options available at St Thomas’.

So I decided to change my birth plan from a caesarean to a vaginal delivery. [Midwife] Your pain matters and you deserve to be listened to.

We'll always put the safety of you and your baby first and we do our best to get you the pain relief that you need as quickly as possible.

Everyone experiences it differently.

But our role is to explain the full range of options, from self-help methods like breathing and movement, to gas and air,

to stronger medicines that are injected into your thigh or your back. We'll listen and respect your choice, and support you to feel safe and in control.

[Rahma] I had a birth partner. I gave him a copy of my birth plan, and [said] if I can't speak up for myself, could you advocate for me? The birth plan is just a guide, so you're always allowed to change your mind, up to the last minute.

My original birth plan was to have a water birth, and then try vaginal after. I changed my mind and I was offered the room for delivery.

I went with a TENS machine. I went with a comb, and I said, ‘Oh, it's not working’. And the midwife gave me another option.

‘Why don't you try this?’ And then I ended up using the gas and air.

The midwife guided me through when to breathe, when to push. Yes it was painful and I was worried about the baby, but the baby was healthy.

It was a relief.

And it was just good being supported, because you felt very vulnerable at that time. The midwife helped me change and bath,

and supported me back to the bed, made me comfortable. And it was just nice to see everyone being friendly.

And they were also looking after me, it wasn't just the baby. It’s important to do your own research about pain relief, and to advocate for yourself.

[Midwife] We want every woman and birthing person to feel empowered. You know your body – we’ll listen and we’ll support your decisions.

Labour is different for everyone, but you're not alone.

At Guy’s and St Thomas’ we're here to listen, to support, and to help you make informed choices about your care.