Birth report without PDA - Mom and founder of MORE MIDWIVES

My birth report without PDA as a mom, midwife and founder of MORE MIDWIVES

PDA for epidural anesthesia (also called epidural anesthesia ). This is a form of pain relief during birth in which a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space of the spine. This numbs the nerves that transmit the pain of contractions. The woman giving birth remains fully conscious, but feels less or no pain at all. But is it possible without an epidural? Here is my birth report in brief:

Birth is not like in the movies – and yet this moment was worthy of a movie.

When I got up in a cute French restaurant: splash! Amniotic fluid. I knew immediately what was going on, but I was nervous and went to the bathroom first. No contractions. 💬 So I decided to go home.

In the car, however, I felt that my body was already working - a gentle knock, a cautious announcement. My six-year-old son took my hand and said: "Mom, you don't have to be afraid. You can do it." This sentence will remain in my heart forever.

At home I ran myself a warm bath - and the contractions? Disappeared. My body took a break. It wasn't until the middle of the night that they came back, this time stronger, more determined. I stayed in my bedroom, my cave. I felt safe here.

Towards morning, the contractions became more intense. With them, my need for space, for air, grew. I wanted everyone out of the apartment. My partner and our doula were allowed to stay, but my parents and our son were promptly sent to the amusement park in Brandenburg - at 7 a.m. 😄

Then I knew: delivery room. Now!

The journey? Intensive. Including procedures. I knew the way and, half in nirvana, I guided myself to the right hospital entrance. When I arrived, I fell into my midwife's arms and the first thing I said was: "I want an epidural." Maybe I knew deep down that it was no longer necessary. But the pain... somehow I wanted to cling to something familiar, something I knew from the first birth.

Spoiler: The anesthesiologist didn't have time for me anyway. Instead, they cleverly let me have water.

I was lying on the delivery bed, on my back, and I knew: I'm not moving from here anymore. No chance.

But then – a voice, a hand: “Come into the water.” I hesitated. Didn’t want to. But then this one feeling: F*ck it. I got in the water - and suddenly everything happened very quickly. Only a few contractions left. I could already feel the little head. The same contraction - and her body followed. She wanted to come to us. Full of vernix, full of life.