A pregnant mother who was 10 days overdue has claimed that she induced labour by drinking a gin and tonic.
Caitlin Harrison, 21, from Blyth, Northumberland, explained how she had tried everything in an attempt to speed things along at over 41 weeks pregnant – including regular swims and walking four miles a day.
It was at this point friends suggested that she should try a G&T, despite Caitlin not having a drop of alcohol throughout her pregnancy.
Her contractions began just two hour later, leading to the arrival of her and boyfriend Stephen’s healthy baby boy Leo.
Caitlin Harrison, 21, from Blyth, Northumberland, (pictured in hospital after giving birth to baby Leo) revealed how having a G&T helped her induce her labour
Caitlin (pictured enjoying a drink) explained how she didn’t touch a drop of alcohol throughout her pregnancy, but became desperate when she was 10 days overdue
Describing her pregnancy, Caitlin said: ‘Everything was absolutely fine through my whole pregnancy, I didn’t have any problems at all.
‘I spent the whole time so excited for my due date and to meet my baby boy. When it came around I spent the whole day thinking “this is it, it’s going to happen” but it just came and went.
‘So I waited until 41 weeks and then that came and went too. Over the next eight days, every time I felt a twinge, I thought I was finally going into labour but nothing would happen.’
Caitlin explained how she began to be desperate for her labour to begin, trying a variety of tactics in a bid to speed things along.
Caitlin (pictured while heavily pregnant with her first child) said she tried everything in a bid to induce labour, including regular swims and walking four miles a day
Caitlin (pictured with baby Leo) explained how she was desperate for her labour to begin, describing how she was ‘absolutely exhausted’ after going well past her due date
‘I had a huge bump, I was so emotional and I was absolutely exhausted. I was willing to do anything and everything to get my son out into the world,’ she said.
‘I was using an exercise ball, swimming, walking four miles a day, everything and none of it was working.
‘After watching me waddling around, sweating after another four-mile walk a friend of mine told me I should have a gin and tonic. He told me it worked for his wife with all their babies.
‘I refused. I hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol since finding out I was pregnant at three weeks and I was adamant I wasn’t going to.’
Caitlin (pictured with baby Leo and boyfriend Stephen) said she was reluctant to try the G&T at first, but eventually agreed after being urged on by friends
Caitlin (pictured with baby Leo) said she was terrified of having to be induced by doctors, leading to her to try the unusual technique of drinking a G&T
However, Caitlin said she eventually agreed to try having a G&T, after being encouraged by friends and family.
‘I kind of got peer pressured into it,’ she said. ‘Everyone was sat around telling me to do it and that it wouldn’t do any harm to just have one small one so far along.
‘I was absolutely terrified of being induced as I’d heard labour is so much worse and I knew that was the next step so I gave in.’
A review by Bristol University, published in the journal BMJ Open last year, found ‘surprisingly limited’ evidence that drinking up to four units a week – equivalent to four single gin and tonics – does any harm to a baby.
Caitlin (pictured with boyfriend Stephen) described how she had a completely normal pregnancy, and had been excitedly waiting for her due date
Caitlin (pictured by her birthing pool while pregnant) explained how she managed to have the water birth she had wanted, after her contractions began
However the NHS maintains that the safest approach is not to drink at all while you’re expecting.
Caitlin, who says she’s usually more of a ‘rum girl’, said: ‘There’s so much conflicting advice about whether or not it’s safe to drink while pregnant.
‘I would never ever have had a drink before my due date – and I wouldn’t if I was pregnant again – but I knew one small drink would be okay and I was really desperate.
‘I sipped it slowly and with every sip I felt guiltier for it. When I finished it I remember thinking “what have you just done?” but two hours later my contractions started.
Caitlin (pictured drinking a cocktail with boyfriend Stephen) admitted that gin and tonics are not her usual choice of drink, describing herself as more of a ‘rum girl’
Caitlin (pictured with baby Leo shortly after his birth) says she believes that it was definitely having the G&T that led to her contractions starting
‘Realising I was finally in labour was amazing. I got to have the water birth I had always planned.’
After her contractions began, it took another 48 hours before baby Leo finally arrived.
‘Having Leo here was so lush. The first three days after he was born I didn’t sleep because I just couldn’t stop staring at him,’ Caitlin said. ‘I absolutely adore being a mum and Stephen is the best dad.’
Caitlin says she believes that having the G&T did lead to her contractions beginning.
Caitlin (pictured at a soft play centre with baby Leo) says that she would never encourage anyone to drink while pregnant, but would have the G&T again if in the same position
Caitlin (pictured with Leo, who is now two) added that she didn’t touch another drop of alcohol until she finished breastfeeding Leo
‘I definitely don’t think it was a coincidence. I really believe that the gin and tonic was the key to me going into labour,’ she said.
‘I would absolutely never encourage anyone to drink while pregnant.
‘That was the only drink I had and I didn’t touch another drop until I’d finished breastfeeding Leo.
She added: ‘But if I get pregnant again and go more than a week over my due date, I would do it again and I wouldn’t feel half as bad for it as I did the first time. I’m glad I had that one drink.’