On October 28th I went into spontaneous labour. I arrived at MBPH in the early hours of the morning. I was taken to a birth suite and immediately got into a warm bath to breathe through contractions. The midwife came in and said that I looked ‘too relaxed’ and that I needed to get out. I asked to stay in the water and assured her that I was still actively in labour. She said, ‘well we don’t do water births here, so you need to get out’. I reluctantly got out and was given vaginal exam. I was 7cm dilated. I had the CTG monitor attached and was left alone for a while. My partner and I settled in, meanwhile my other family support arrived. I had staff coming in and out and my contractions all but stopped. After 4 hours I had made no progress, and the contractions were mild but tiring. I was suggested to have pethidine to help me ‘sleep’. I asked if this medication would have any side effects on baby. I was assured that it would not. I slept for 2-hours then woke up. I was given another vaginal exam and told I had no progress in 6-7 hours. The doctors and midwifes began talking about a c-section and called for the theatre to be prepped. I was quite distressed and terrified by this as I felt fine and was told baby was fine. A midwife suggested that my family supports and staff leave the room for a while so I could have privacy with my partner. Thankfully this worked wonders and I called for the midwife as I felt the urge to push. “You can’t push” I was told “your only 7cm”. I was frantic and asked “what happens if I push” I was told this would cause serious damage and be very dangerous for baby. The midwife did another VE and sure enough she realised baby was crowing. I had 3 more contractions, and he was birthed while two midwifes attended. I immediately said, “give me my baby” and reached for my son. We had skin to skin contact, and it was wonderful. Meanwhile I was given an injection in my thigh (without informed consent). I birthed the placenta and attempted to breastfeed; however, my baby was very sleepy and would not latch properly. He went to sleep meanwhile I showered. I went home the next day and began my breastfeeding journey once my baby was more alert. He was quite an unsettled newborn, but the birth itself left me quite elated as I was able to return home so soon with no physical pain or discomfort.