{
  "id": 224155,
  "title": "By day five of my labour, I didn’t want an ‘ideal birth’. I only wanted to survive | Natalie Morris",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/by-day-five-of-my-labour-i-didnt-want-an-ideal-birth-i-only-wanted-to",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-06T15:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Health",
    "slug": "guardian-health",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/06/labour-ideal-birth-women-yvette-cooper-maternity-reforms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the third day of my labour, I found myself in a new realm. The childbirth classes had taught me the importance of remaining calm and breathing as directed. However, despite following these instructions, my body seemed to be disregarding the wisdom imparted to me. As the fourth day unfolded, my pleas grew louder. The relentless contractions continued, yet dilation remained elusive. Sleep eluded me, and even the simple act of sitting down felt impossible. I desperately needed assistance, but the waiting seemed endless. The reason behind the delay remained shrouded in mystery. As my fifth day drew nearer, my desire for an \"ideal birth\" waned. All I yearned for was to survive this arduous journey.",
  "summary": "Yvette Cooper’s maternity reforms must change a system that too often fails women when they’re at their most vulnerable On the third day of being in labour with my first child, I entered a new state of being. It was time to dig deep. This is what I had learned in all the childbirth classes. As long as I remained calm, breathed as instructed, moaned through the pain, things would happen as they…",
  "key_points": [
    "Faced challenges in labor on third day",
    "Desperation grew as dilation stalled",
    "Prioritized survival over ideal birth"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}