Jess – endometriosis, miscarriage, en caul birth, sterile water injections, acid reflux

Today I chat to Jess about her two very different birth experiences with her children Ruby and Vincent. After experiencing an induced birth with her first baby during COVID, Jess shares how she approached her second pregnancy with intention and preparation, ultimately achieving the birth she hoped for.

Jess lives in Newcastle, NSW with her husband Bryce, three-year-old daughter Ruby, three-month-old son Vincent. Her journey to conceiving Vincent wasn’t straightforward – after deciding to expand their family when Ruby was around 15 months old, Jess experienced a heartbreaking miscarriage.

With a history of endometriosis and newly diagnosed adenomyosis, Jess faced fertility challenges after her miscarriage. Her periods never properly returned, and after seven months of trying, she consulted her endometriosis specialist who suggested medication. Remarkably, she discovered she was pregnant just before starting treatment.

Given her previous pregnancy loss, anxiety was a constant companion during this pregnancy. Jess made a conscious effort to prioritise her mental health by working with a psychologist to prepare for postpartum, enrolling in the Family Care program for mental health support, securing her own midwife through the hospital, and joining a maternal health support program called Sustaining Families.

After reflecting on her first birth, Jess knew she wanted something different this time: “I really wanted to put the work in while I was pregnant to try to facilitate a physiological birth. I did your Birth Class again, which is amazing. I think something you say really stood out to me – an active labour starts with an active pregnancy.”

Despite developing sciatic nerve pain at 20 weeks that prevented her from continuing at the gym, Jess remained active through her work as a chef and by walking regularly. She also dealt with severe acid reflux throughout pregnancy, which improved once she received proper medication.

At 38+6 weeks, Jess had a stretch and sweep, discovering she was already 3cm dilated. That evening, while out with her family looking at Christmas lights, she began experiencing what she initially dismissed as Braxton Hicks contractions. As they intensified, her husband Bryce recognized she was in labor before she would admit it to herself.

After laboring at home in the shower and on her exercise ball, they headed to the hospital around 10:40pm. The contractions intensified, particularly in her back, which had been the most challenging part of her first labor: “I want to go home. I don’t want to do this. The back pain’s too much and I was just constantly hunched over. I couldn’t stand – the back pain was so bad that I couldn’t stand back up.”

The midwife suggested sterile water injections for her back pain, which provided immediate relief: “I had an absolute new release on life. I stood up. I could stand. I had such a new release on life.”

Shortly after, Jess felt the urge to push. In just a few pushes, Vincent was born still in his amniotic sac (en caul) – a rare occurrence that even excited the midwives. The intact waters likely protected Jess from tearing, as she only had a minor graze that didn’t require stitches.

“I remember just the feeling of pushing him out and just doing it myself and going, and I just remember saying, ‘I did it, I did it.’ There’s something so special about feeling, going from feeling the labour at home to having the contractions, breathing through them, and just feeling your control.”

Jess was able to leave the hospital just hours after giving birth, which was exactly what she wanted. However, Vincent’s early weeks weren’t without challenges. He developed reflux that caused him to lose weight despite feeding well. After hospitalization and diagnosis, he was placed on the same acid-reducing medication Jess had taken during pregnancy, which transformed him: “When he started the medication, it was like a new baby. He wouldn’t smile, he’d just scream, scream, scream. And then when he started the medication, he would smile and be happy and be joyful to be around.”

Now at three months, Vincent is thriving, and Jess reflects that despite the challenges, managing a newborn and toddler is actually easier than being pregnant with a toddler.

Throughout her story, Jess highlights the importance of preparation, support networks, and trusting your body.