MSE Pregnancy Club Birth Stories

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hi all , will try not to waffle too much buthere goes my birth story

went in on sunday the 09 oct to be induced as i was 10 days over due

10.30 am was given the ripening tablet, had to lay down for an hour then was able to walk around the hospital etc. was having tightnenings every ten mins from around 2 pm

4.30 pm midwife broke my waters i was only 1cm dilated and felt no waters leaking at all.

was put on drip at half six to strengethen contractions,

around 8pm it started hurting so was using tens machine and contractions every 5 mins. by 9.30 pm they were every minute and i was on gas and air too as was getting quite painful. new midwife broke waters again and they rushed out like a river but was still only 3cm dilated .

bit blurry form here on in but for me what i can remember is the pain getting really intense , my body trying to push constantly, but i was only 3cm dilated, buzzers going doctors rushing in , babys heartbeat dissapeared, was told cord was round his neck and he couldnt get any lower so was being taken for emergency c section under anasthetic.

the couple of mins it took to get me to theatre they had detected heartbeat again but still low so they asked if i wanted the epidural instead so hubby could come in (yes please)

1.24 am monday morning baby samuel was born weighing 9lb 12oz (omg he seems huge) perfectly fine. after a few tense mins waiting to hear him cry.

as soon as hubby had him in his arms and we knew he was fine, i hemoregd my body went into shock, shivering etc so was given lots of different drugs and thermal warming blankets like a big machine over me. and was really spaced out.

everyone doing fine now i managed to get let out yesterday afternoon so at home relaxing with new baby and hubby and our boys.

(our previous boys weighed 6lb 3oz and 7lb 4 oz so im not sure why this one was so much bigger) and previously i had the boys on thier due dates, text book labours, relativley quick and easy.

i hope this isnt a sign to come that he is going to be difficult lol.

alison2020

Changed my mind and decided to write my birth story after all

Daniel James born 15 Sept 2011, 11:16 pm, 8lb 2oz.

I was expecting the labour to be similar to that with my DD 4 years previously but it was really different. With DD I was 40 weeks and laboured for 12 hours, had waters broke at 10 cm dilated and pushed until contractions stopped and forceps were used to pull her out.
This time my waters broke at 37 weeks + 4, while I was bouncing on my ball. I was so excited!!! I soaked 2 towels and kept leaking every time I moved at all. Went through nearly a whole pack of maternity towels in 24 hours.
Phoned maternity unit and they said I had to come in to be examined. Took my time, packed my bags, dropped DD to her grannys. Hospital confirmed the waters had broken and sent me home with instructions to return 24 hours later, if not before.
Went home and had occasional bouts of contractions but nothing lasted long. Was thinking I might have to be induced but gentle contractions started 90 minutes before i returned to hospital. The staff were lovely, and so gentle. I hadn't dilated and the head wasn't fully engaged but they suggested i stay in as I dilated quickly with DD. Was admitted at 10pm and contractions became very sore and every minute, just as I walked up to a ward. Got the gas and air, started crying (not like me, must be the side effect of the gas). Started asking about pethidine and they said i needed examined. This was 15 minutes later and i was 6cm. At this point pethidine wasn't an option and I was in full on noisy mode. I was raced up to delivery suite and things calmed down a little as i knelt on the bed and hung my arms and shoulders over the back of it - very comfy and gravity was able to help a lot.
Contractions were more like spasms, pretty horrid, but i felt very clear headed and could feel baby moving itself down. After a while I'd had enough and decided to push. Daniel took about 6 pushes and was out at 11:16pm. Have to say it wasn't sore when he crowned, nothing could have been sorer than those contractions. Had a second degree tear and a few grazes. They got the doctor up to stitch me and the nurses ran me a bath and then left me and OH to marvel at the little miracle we had created
Couldn't praise the midwives and staff enough. Were all so lovely to me. Was only in for 12 hours, but definitely recommend the Ulster hospital and the home from home unit. :T

twi1ight

During the day I'd been feeling out of sorts but couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. Then I woke up in the middle if the night and felt a trickle. Ran to loo and realised it really was waters leaking. After panicking for a couple of minutes, my mind racing with all the things I hadn't done and thoughts of what was about to happen, I pulled myself together and phoned the labour ward. They were very helpful and said I needed to go in to be checked out and also explained that because I was pre 37 weeks I would most likely be kept in so I should bring my things. I got dressed, woke hubby and off we went. I had absolutely no pains at this point. Arrived at hospital and it all felt very familiar as we'd only been on the tour that week.

Had basic check over with midwife and they put monitor on to check baby. Monitor was showing very slight contractions but I couldn't feel anything. Saw doctor who explained that they wanted me to stay in and we agreed that I'd be induced the next day if nothing happened.

Arrived on ward early morning and tried to get a bit of rest but I was feeling a bit on edge (just a bit!). Spent much of that day on phone to mum and other family members and as the day went on I realised I was having period type cramps very low down which were getting worse. Baby was monitored every few hours (he was happy and moving lots) and watching the readout I could see the cramps I felt matching up with the peaks on the chart and they were getting bigger. By early evening they were really painful and closer together. I had by own room as they were expecting to start induction first thing the next morning and they pretty much left me to it (husband was with me). Started using tens machine and sitting in ball but after a while I couldn't sit and couldn't really stand up straight or walk and found kneeling most comfortable. I was getting hot and cold flushes so asked for paracetamol. Staff didn't seem convinced I was in labour as I could only feel contractions low down (and maybe because I wasn't making much fuss!). They were reluctant to check me due to risk of infection but around 11pm I was feeling really disheartened by their seeming lack of interest and wanted to know if it really was labour or if I should get over myself and try and get some sleep ready to be induced in the morning. "Oh! 4cm! We'd better get you to the deliver room." Hallelujah they finally believed me and weren't going to keep telling me a walk or a bath often helps when you're in the latent phase.

Things went pretty well in the delivery room. I hadn't had a chance to write a birth plan (midwife had been prodding me to do it at my visit earlier that week) but when I first got there, in between contractions I managed a chat with the midwife about what I wanted. She was great and really responsive to my mood through the whole thing. My plan was to try and stay focussed and in control and request epidural if I couldn't manage that. I wanted to stay mobile but unfortunately because I wasn't at 37 weeks the baby needed to be monitored throughout which meant me being on the bed. Couldn't get the hang of using gas and air and wasn't keen on the drowsy feeling so didn't make the most of it. It was all rather quiet and calm. With each contraction it was like I was drawing into myself and although it hurt like mad and made me feel like my eyes were going to roll right round the back of my head, I knew that each one was my body getting one step closer to giving birth. By the end I was so sleepy between the contractions I was thinking "just get it out and then you can go to sleep" (ha ha little did I know that 2 months down the line I still wouldn't have slept). Pushing was difficult and I struggled to time it right to breath and push in the right way so I found that all really frustrating. Beforehand I thought it was 3-4 pushes and they're out so was surprised when it was more like 60-90 minutes (yes, I know some ladies go a lot longer than this). I did make some noise when he came out though - ring of fire really is the right description :eek: 4 hours after going into the deliver room and 24 hours after my waters went, he was born. My gorgeous boy Jonathan weighed a smidge under 3kg (6lb 9oz).

I was fortunate that it was quick, I'd have struggled to stay sane and able to push after a long labour. I was almost completely unprepared as I was fully expecting to go overdue so thought I had around 5 weeks left and I had been feeling really anxious about going to hospital so being there for the entire thing was the last thing I'd wanted. I hope my story shows that when things don't go how you imagined it doesn't mean they're going badly.

Oh yeah, there was one point where I started thinking it was too difficult and I couldn't do it and would ask for an epidural and then I remembered the midwives on One Born Every Minute saying that every single woman starts saying they can't do it just as they reach transition to the final stage. So I pulled myself together and also figured it was happening so fast they'd probably say no anyway. See, OBEM isn't all scare stories.

ddebski_us

This couild be an epic....

Had my first random contractions on the Thursday evening, when Ellie was already 5 days late – just a few during the evening, but considering when I’d had my sweep at 3 days over I was 1cm dilated, assumed labour would kick off shortly.

Friday morning, DH went to work tentatively, expecting a phone call home. Not much happened.

Saturday mid-afternoon, contractions started up again – strong and regular enough for me to put my TENS machine on and by evening, regular enough to start timing them. 5 mins apart and lasting 1 minute, so we called the labour ward. They weren’t interested until they were 2-3 mins apart so we stayed home, expecting to go in overnight.

The contractions weren’t too bad painwise; the TENS certainly took the edge off but I was starting to really struggle with the pressure. I was peeing every 10 mins and only a trickle was coming out and it hurt so much to sit down. From this point onwards, I laboured standing up. Sitting down was just too painful.

Sunday came and contractions hadn’t got any closer together and I was shattered having contractions overnight every 5 mins and not being able to sit down and hence sleep. This continued throughout Sunday and the pressure on my bladder and bowel was stopping me wanting to eat and drink which was obviously depleting my energy levels. Come Sunday evening, we decided to go into hospital anyway; just to see if I was progressing and to see if there was anything that could be done for the pain on my bladder/bowel.

I was examined and found to be 2-3 cm so it was moving on slowly and that babies head was really really low (which was causing the bladder/bowel pain). They gave me some pethidine so I was able to get some rest. Midwife told me it was likely baby would be here by early morning and so I’d be kept in. Come 10pm, there was a changeover in staff and my new midwife told me delivery could still be days off and so I could either be transferred to ante-natal ward and DH would have to go home, or I could leave. I wanted to have DH support, so we went home, utterly dejected having been told baby would be here shortly by the first midwife.

Sunday night was awful. I now couldn’t pee at all and my legs were shaky due to tiredness and lack of energy. Finally it was morning – contractions were still 5 mins apart. DH went to work and I had a bath and my waters went at 11am. Back to hospital.

Another examination, and I was still 3cm. Baby was getting lower and lower though and I became somewhat of a “test case” with student midwifes being summoned to examine me too as it was really quite unusual for the head to be so low so early on. I was given a catheter to relieve my pressure. Another midwife changeover and another examination – apparently my waters were still intact!! I don’t think so – I was leaking every time I readjusted my position! Anyway, she insisted I was transferred to ante-natal ward from the CDS and there I was to stay overnight. Luckily, the ante-natal ward midwife re-examined me later on that evening (after more pethidine) and confirmed my waters had gone! Overnight my contractions increased to every 2-3 mins and finally I was transferred back to CDS at 6am. Re-examined again and was 5cm – but contractions had slowed to 1 every 25 mins!!!

They decided to induce me as I wasn’t progressing and my waters had gone almost 24 hrs ago – I insisted on an epidural as I was exhausted, not having slept since Wednesday night (it was now Tuesday!) So, at 10am, I was hooked up to the induction drip and my epidural was administered – it was bliss; managed some sleep and was fab to lie down!

The estimate for delivery was early Wednesday morning (maybe 3am) so it came as a huge shock when I was examined again at 5pm and was told babies head could be seen and it was time to push! 34 mins later, Elizabeth Rose arrived, covered in merconium bless her.

My placenta was the next issue – I had to be taken to theatre for it to be removed manually so I was then separated from DH and Ellie. Finally reunited at 8pm on the ward, I settled down as a new mum and fed Ellie overnight. At around 6am, I was feeding Ellie and she started spluttering, her lips went blue and she stopped moving. I called the midwife (still wasn’t able to move due to epidural) and they whisked her away to special care.

Turns out she had caught an infection from the merconium and my waters going so long before she was born and she was given antibiotics for 5 days. I was one of the unlucky 1 in 500 or so ladies who got the epidural headache – the worse sort of migraine which left me unable to stand or sit at all without being dizzy/sick. I was given another epidural after 3 days to try to stop the fluid around my brain leaking and the next day I was right as rain.

Finally, the Sunday following Ellie’s arrival, we were reunited on the transitional care ward and on the Monday evening we were allowed home.

Quite an eventful labour but we’re both fine now and she is 1 month old today. Love her to pieces and wouldn’t be without her – not sure about another though as my experience overall was quite traumatic. The hospital staff (apart from the midwife who told me my waters hadn’t gone – DOH!) were fantastic and offered me so much support.

xDx

Elmo1985

Better late than never!

My due date was 15th September and nothing was happening as expected! I had an appointment with my midwife the same day and i was told to come back the following week for a membrane sweep if nothing had happened in the meantime.

So the following week I tried all the tips and tricks to bring labour on but nothing happened.

22nd September had the membrane sweep - horrible - had a show which continued through until the birth, I always thought a show was over and done with but it never stopped! Had cramping pains from the minute the sweep was over which continued the rest of the weekend gradually becoming more regular.

23rd September, show still coming and going and pains gradually becoming more regular though still about once an hour and nothing painful.

Woke up on 24th September feeling really off, had a nice bath and told OH to go get some overtime before baby arrived. So he toddled off to work and i jumped into the bath only to be in for ten minutes and the contractions really kicked in! I rang other half at around 10AM, once i realised what was happening and told him to come home. Also rang my mum as she wanted to be at the birth too.

By 12 noon I was contracting every 5-7 minutes and rang the hospital to let them know. The midwife told me to ring again once it was every 4 minutes.

Had a slice of toast as i hadnt ate anythign since breakfast but it took me half an hour to eat one slice.

By 4pm I couldnt take it anymore and OH rang hospital again. Midwife asked to speak to me but at the time i was contracting every 4-5 minutes and couldnt speak. They told me to head to the hospital.

We arrived 4.30 though between the three of us we forgot my notes and my mum had to head back home for these! Midwife measured me and was told i was 4cm dilated and they would keep me in. They would measure again at 8pm to see what progress was made.

Advised to keep active if i could and walk around room and use birthing ball. Tried gas and air and bouncing on ball but the gas made me feel sickly. Tried to keep on it for a while but by 6pm my contractions were becoming more intense and i was crying with the pain and really not coping. Tried diamorphine (sp!) which was brilliant as pain relief, could still feel the contractions but it was if i was feeling it but it wasnt me if that makes sense lol! also made me sick quite a bit which wasnt good as id only ate two slices of toast all day! but only lasted for 2 hours and i could feel the pain a lot stronger.

Was checked again at 8pm and was told i was 7cm dialated. Asked midwife for an epidural as I didnt want to be sick anymore and they obliged. At 8.45 i was all hooked up - and pain free! I cannot explain how helpful the epidural was could not feel a thing and liked watching the contractions on the monitor! waters were broke at this point also.

at 11pm contractions were coming through every now and again and babies heart beat was dropping a little with each contraction. Dr checked me and bump over and was told that if babies heart beat dropped further over next half hour it would be a concern and i would need an assisted delivery.

Contractions pain continued to beat the epidural and with each contraction the machines kept loosing babies heart beat. Midwife decided to put the little clip on babies head as she was still moving about in my tummy and the strap over my bump was no use. That in place, heart beat was found again through still dropping through contractions.

Dr came in again at 12 and advised they would advise on an assisted delivery and were going to measure me again and probably use forceps or suction to deliver baby as her heart beat was a concern, If i wasnt dialated enough i would be taken for an emergency c-section.

Measured as fully dialed and was told to start pushing immeidately. In the meantime my epidural was topped up to double the strength as contraction pain was coming through thick and fast. The pain never went away completely but i could not imagine what it must have felt like if i didnt have the epidural! After about 15 minutes pushing Dr was back in with team and i had my legs in stirrups told i was going to have to be cut and they would use forceps to deliver baby. After 3-4 more pushes at 2.06am baby Lola was delivered onto my chest at 6lb 15oz with a wail and then pooed all over my tummy bless her!:p:p:D:D Daddy cut the cord though i can barely remember this as i was to busy starring at my baby girl.

Dr told me i had been cut - i hadnt been aware of it! and that i had also tore as babies head came quickly and that it was a third degree tear and i would need to go to theater as the lights in the delivery room were not good enough for her to stitch me up.

I waited two hours before i was taken to theatre and in the meantime lossed 1000 units of blood. Finally stitched up i was sent down to the ICU to recover for a few hours. My OH and my mum went home as it was now 6am and neither of them had slept a wink either.

Moved back to a room on the labour ward with Lola tucked in little crib. at around 4pm i begged midwife to take catheter out as i had to keep ringing the nurse if i needed to pick baby up for a feed or to change her.They finally agreed to remove it and i went to the loo. I then passed a massive blood clot - literally the size of two grapefruits.I was kept in hospital for three nights and didnt sleep a wink - i was so tired i looked like i had done a few rounds in the ring with tyson! After a blood transfusion and a shed loads of tablets i was fit - well i was able to walk without wetting myself! Pelvic floor ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lola is a beautiful baby girl i cannot imagine my life without her here xx

janninew

Hi Ladies,
Taken me awhile to get round to writing this but here goes, get comfy and enjoy!
After being signed off work at 24 weeks due to low fluid around the baby and baby measuring small I was having weekly scans and appointments after with a Consultant Doctor. I went to my 28 week appointment (I was 28+6 days on this date) as normal, I hadn’t felt that great that morning and had been sick and suffering with a headache. It wasn’t really bad and I thought I was just tired and run down. I had my scan and was sat waiting for the Doctor when again I rushed to the loo to be sick, I started feeling very poorly, very quickly in the waiting room. The Doctor called me in and the first thing she did was take me blood pressure, this was extremely high, she asked how I was feeling and I explained about the sickness and headaches. Again I felt sick and I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the loo and had to throw up in the sink in the Doctors room (ohh the shame!) The Doctor said she was taking me round to the delivery suite and I was being admitted straight away.
I was taken by the Doctor and put on a trace to check baby and one of those machines that checks your blood pressure every few minutes. Now things started to get serious very quickly as my blood pressure was raising and I was being sick and feeling very unwell. The Consultant Doctor had my notes and said she was calling my husband to come straight away, by now I was panicking! Over the next 10 minutes I had 4 Doctors in the room, 2 at each arm putting in drips and taking blood, one reading my notes and another putting in a catheter! I now realised how serious things were. My hubby arrived within 20 minutes of being called and a Doctor sat down and told him I was suffering with very severe pre-eclampsia and the our baby would be delivered tonight (24th Nov), I didn’t hear this conversation as I was being sick after having a drip in my arm that was giving me medication to lower and get my blood pressure under control. I do remember looking at my hubby and seeing blind panic on his face.
The Doctor then came to explain to me what was happening and that the baby would be coming tonight as that was the only way to control and stop the pre-eclampsia. He then explained that I would be having an emergency c-section once all the staff could be in the theatre. I then had a visit from the Paediatric Consultant as my baby would be very premature. The Anaesthetist also came to talk to me and explained that I was to unstable to be given a general so would be given a spinal and kept awake. I was glad about this as I wanted hubby with me and wanted to stay awake.
Literally 15 minutes later I was wheeled down to the theatre and was prepared for my section. I had always dreaded the thought of a spinal but after having 6 (yes 6!) drips and cannula’s put in my arm (which really hurt!!) the spinal was a walk in the park! I was numb and my hubby came in dressed In scrubs and my section was started. My blood pressure kept falling and then raising and I was vomiting throughout the op which was horrendous, I felt more ill than I ever have before. After what felt like seconds my daughter was born and taken to be checked by the Consultant. She did a little cry which was the best sound ever and made me and hubby cry. By this time I was crying, vomiting all at the same time, I must have looked a state!! They brought our daughter over for a quick look and kiss from her mummy and daddy and she was then whisked away to the SCBU.
The whole experience was surreal and scary and I wouldn’t want to go through it again, but it was worth it for having little Poppy in our lives! She is still in the SCBU but she is holding her own, every day is hard and scary, but she is tough!
I healed well after my section, my scar is very neat and tidy. The Doctor did say if I want more children I will have to have a section as the cut was made quite high as I was so early that a natural labour would be out of the question.
I hope I haven’t scared anybody as it really it true that when you look at your child its all worth it! I’m a right wimp and I had a tough birth experience, but its worth all the pain and worry when you look and hold your child!!

eyelinerprincess

OK, here goes.

Was due on the 15th November. That day came and went with no incident at all. On the 17th I went to my midwife app (which I was determined not to make), and she examined me, then told me that a sweep wasn't possible as the baby's head had moved up and she could move it (which hadn't been possible four weeks and two weeks before - think the !!!!!! was determined not to come out!), and made an app for the clinic on the 22nd.

Got to the clinic and for some reason my app was two hours after the time I was told. I was also asked for my urine sample when I got in to be checked over, which the midwife hadn't told me I needed. Thank god she wasn't my regular MW or I would have changed doctors soon enough. Same midwife ended up doing my sweep, which was horrible. All OH heard from the other side of the curtain was "ow! OW!". She told me I was 1cm, and called the hospital, hoping to get me in on the Saturday, but managed to get me in on the Fri.

Fri afternoon came and I got to the hospital, shown around the ward and to my bed (to my surprise, MW told us that I would probably get induced, then sent home to come in the next morning). Was given the pessary and monitored for half an hour (still at 1cm - no contractions).

Around 11pm, I heard a pop, which panicked me (even though I knew the pop meant waters breaking), went to the bathroom and had a trickle come out, which turned out to be my hind waters. Contractions started soon after and became so unbearable that I was sent down at around 5am when I was at 3cm. (after two baths, more panicking because there was blood in my pyjamas when I went for the second, was told that was from the MW checking how dilated I was).

Everyone arrived at about 6am, and I had the epidural. Was asked how I felt, and I had a niggling pain in my leg, so out came the epidural to be repositioned. Still had a little niggle but not as much, which came with contractions. Was checked at 8 am, still 3cm, then at 12, when I had shot up to 8cm! Checked again at 2, fully dilated, and was told that we were going to wait an hour, then start pushing for an hour.

After an hour of pushing, baby was starting to come down but not enough. (he had a monitor attached to him since we lost the heartbeat a couple of times due to him moving about, so OH could see the wires from the monitor slowly getting longer). Turned out he was sideways, and so when the doctor came in, she decided that we needed help via forceps and/or section.

Was in the theatre about 3.55pm, and after having the forceps to turn him round and pull him out. Shoulder was stuck as well, but they managed to whisk him out quickly. It's a strange experience hearing a baby cry from between your legs! He was fully out at 4.25pm, and taken to be cleaned up and given his injection.

OH was a bit put out as he wanted to tell me the sex, but it was all so fast, and he was crying anyway. I was in shock as I was convinced he was going to be a girl! Dad was convinced it was going to be a boy born at 7.30 as he had a dream about it the previous night, though whether it was 7.30am or 7.30pm he didn't know. At least he was 1 for 2...

We were both allowed home on Monday, as my temperature was up and bloods were down during delivery, so they wanted me to stay in for an extra day. Was sent home with a big bag of drugs, but we're both doing great now. Or would be if this boy wouldn't start screaming every time I go to get something to eat.

yummymummy79

Will add my experiences too although not overly dramatic or even useful probably!

Mw came and did sweep at 3pm on Tues 13th as I was 4 days overdue. Apparently I was already 3cm without even knowing, so it was fairly clear things weren't going to take too long from then. Turned out right; 2 hours later and I was having starting contractions, they weren't particularly regular though so expected to still have plenty of time. By 9pm they were getting a bit more serious but still about 4 mins apart so wasn't worrying. Fast forward to 10pm and boom they were coming every couple of minutes and progressively more painful. Rang hosp at 10.20pm to just check it was open as had been full a few times recently but didn't think I'd be in for a while. Half an hour later and they were about every 30 seconds and really starting to get painful, so rang hosp to say I was coming in, and also rang my friend who is a midwife and was delivering me. In the car on the way to hosp I was starting to get the initial feelings of needing to push which was a bit worrying! Thankfully the hosp is only a 3 minute drive away.

Arrived at hosp just before 11 and got into the delivery room, my friend arrived 5 mins later and made a start on the paperwork and got me on the gas and air, thank god! Got on the bed and there was hardly any time between contractions, just enough to have a slurp of drink and get my breath back. My other friend (who is 30 weeks preggers) arrived then, although I can't remember much detail having been on the gas and air. Not sure of timescales, but I think there must have only been about another 6 or so contractions before I knew the end was in sight. My waters hadn't broken so when the first urge to properly push came, I pushed those out. There was meconium in it so she had obviously pooed; this meant I had to have a monitor on to check baby's heartbeat. I remember being told that the heart rate was dropping a lot during each contraction so I really needed to push her out at that point. I could hear the beeps of the monitor getting slower during the contraction so just got on with the pushing at that point. I think it only took about another 2 pushing contractions before I felt the head pop out, that was a relief! Next contraction pushed the rest out and there she was. I don't think I opened my eyes for a few minutes, and when I did my friend was crying and everyone else was just smiling away! I just felt relief more than anything else initially, then had first cuddles which was nice. This was the point when I realised she had come out at 11.59pm and 40 seconds, so I got the 13/12/11 birthdate I had wanted! I found out from the paperwork later that the second (pushing) stage took a total of 6 mins so she certainly didn't hang about!

The next couple of hours were just chilling out, having cuddles and the first feed, getting paperwork done and having a shower etc. The main thing during this time though was the girl 3 doors down the hall who was absolutely screaming (and had been since I arrived), and was obviously not having the best time. Some of the things coming out of her mouth were quite amusing (for us anyway) and it made me feel very lucky that things were so straightforward for me.

By this point labour ward was full, so I was transferred down to the postnatal ward at 3am. Got settled in and gave her another feed and she had her initial check (was on 2 hourly obs for 12h because of the meconium). By 5am I put her down for a sleep and tried to get some myself. Only managed 20 mins though as every time she twitched or moved, the little pod thing she was in would gently bang and it's one of those noises that really goes right through me so I didn't end up getting back to sleep again. The next few hours just consisted of the rest of her checks, and waiting around for the 12h to come around and everything to be finished off so we could get home. I didn't need much from the midwives, but some of the others on the ward had C-Sections and needed a lot of help and the midwives were brilliant, very helpful and caring. Eventually got discharged at 3pm. Turned out that we had missed the paediatrician check so had to go back the next day, wasn't a problem though and everything was fine.

Fast forward to today, and the last 4 or 5 days have been challenging. Daytimes haven't been too bad; she has been feeding OK, getting more regular with the times, having some little periods of awake time and sleeping for a couple of hours most of the time. Nightimes however haven't been so great. I've been staying downstairs every night so I've got everything around me and so OH can get some sleep in bed. We've been making it different between day and nightime with the lights and noise/lack of noise etc, but she struggled for the first few nights in getting this concept. The feeding/sleep has been a lot more random, and it feels like I'm feeding almost constantly without getting the break of the sleep in between. The first 2 nights I think I got 2 hours sleep until about 1am, then half an hour if I was lucky for the rest of the night which makes the night feel reaaaaaally long! Generally I go to bed for an hour or 2 when OH gets up about 6/7 which helps, but I've still been feeling zombified. This morning I felt the absolute worst and had a little cry when I went to bed, but as she has been pretty textbook for the rest of the day I have managed to catch up a bit more. Hoping she will sort herself out a bit tonight and carry on with the good feeding/sleeping ratio we've had today. I might even make it up to bed and have a break from the sofa!

So that has ended up being the world's most epic post, but it's good to get the story down. Onwards and upwards from here I hope!

Lirin

My birth story
I'd went 10 days over, to 40+10, and we had tried every suggestion given to us- DTD, hot curry, long walks, pineapple- nothing worked. My EDD had been 08th Dec.
On 7th Dec, I went for a review at the hospital, with a sweep. The sweep was unsuccessful- the midwife said she couldn't even feel my cervix.
An induction was scheduled for 18th Dec, and after being booked in,I was given another sweep, where my cervix was showing as being prosterior, and I was told I was between 1 and 3cm dilated. I was given a prostaglandin gel at 1620, and it was just waiting around after that. I fully expected that since nothing else had budged Hitch, it would take a couple of tries before anything happened.
Around 1830, I started getting period pain type cramping, which I had been told to expect as it was my cervix softening. Within 20 mins, these were actively painful, and I was furiously rocking on a ball- they really do help! I asked after a water birth, and was told that since I was an induction, I couldn't have one, but could have a bath. Was getting contractions roughly 50 secs long and a min or so apart at this stage. I almost stripped off in the ward just at that. In the bath,it eased a lot,and after another hour (I think), I got out.
I had a contraction at the door, and another a min or so later, and Delivery was told I'd be straight round. I couldn't be given pain relief until I was there. That was 2045.
Once in Delivery, I was offered Gas and Air, which I took- and immediately relaxed. Got a little giggly, and laughed at the midwives trying to get the CD player working. G&A stopped being effective quite fast, and I remember asking for Remifentanyl and being annoyed when they explained pro and cons, as I just wanted it! I received it at 2142.
It's very funny. I remember relaxing completely, and DH grinning at me, asking if I liked it. I asked could we bring some home. After that, I lost track of time completely- I have to look at the notes for the rest. It's all just snapshots.
I remember the Remifentanyl being explained again that it only delivers max once every 2 mins. The button was canary yellow. I was distressed as I'd already forgot and lifted my hand ripping the vent out. When Reme was delivered, the machine made a chirping noise if it was within time, silent if not. I got confused, and it was a budgie- I cried to DH a few times that I'd killed the budgie and we needed a new one. I was even looking around for a cartoony shower of feathers.... DH soon gave up trying to explain.
The heart monitor made a sound every so often that had me trying to sit up, bawling at everyone to 'Fasten Seatbelts, please!' I thought I was in a plane, and was annoyed everyone was ignoring the instructions.
One midwife reminded me of Ricki Lake, and I kept mumbling to her asking why she needed two jobs.....
All this time, I felt no pain, just a lot of pressure. I kept asking the midwives to give DH some G&A as he was squeamish. Tea was offered to the midwives at one point and I asked DH to take some saying he needed the sugar. At some point, waters were broken.
People were talking about the blood I'd lost, and were saying they needed it cleaned up- it was everywere. Recall sitting up for a look, and saying 'Aha! It was Col Mustard in the library with an axe. I always knew he was a bad man.'
Things went dreamy and quiet for a while, I dozed in between contractions.
At some point, pain started hitting in again, and I started telling myself 'Push.' Midwives told me I couldn't as it wasn't time- that was when I began telling the seahorses they couldn't leave the island. 'Seahorses don't push! Don't push! You can't leave yet!' The doc arrived and I greeted her with 'Mrs Seahorse! Seahorses can leave now, they'll survive!'
Crowning- that hurt. They kept telling me to push a little more, or a little harder. Didn't think that bit would end, was surprised when they told me the head was finally out. I'd kept telling them I was worried about hurting her, so when Hitch popped out completely a few seconds later, they were bemused when I asked if it was a girl or boy- the ward sister thought I already knew I was having a girl, as I'd been referring to her as one for two hours!
Put straight on me, was surprised how clean she was....
Rose Lira was born at 0109hrs on 19th Dec, after 6hrs 40mins. She weighed 8lb 11.5oz, and was 57cm long, with a 36cm head. She has a full head of dark hair, and huge blue eyes. She waved on her way out and tore me deeply twice- that was the only bad part really in the labour. Due to the blood loss and the cold I had before going in, I spent 5 days in hospital, with transfusions considered three times. My iron count, white cell count and platelet counts are still low now, and I have to be careful for a while. Was finally allowed out with a bag full of tablets for one thing or another!

Bluebell1000

Elliot born 21/1/12 weight 6lb 14oz, 13 days early.

Thought I'd post this in case anyone else is considering a home birth! Elliot's my first and the home birth was decided on quite last minute but I'm glad I made that choice, despite a few problems afterwards!

My waters went with a sudden sharp pain in bed at 10pm on 20/1. No other warnings - I'd done a full day of work and had only been back from our weekly Asda shop for an hour. We actually bought a pineapple ready - that must have done the trick, didn't even need to eat it :rotfl:

Rang the hospital to let them know, who said to call when contractions were 3 mins apart (getting period like pains at that point but nothing else). Started getting show shortly after that, and they sent a midwife out at 1.30am. All very unexciting though as only 1cm dilated, and she advised we go to bed and attempt to sleep.

At about 6am things were starting to get more intense so got up, had a bath, and called the midwife out around 10am. 4cm dilated when she arrived, so DH started putting the birthing pool together. I had some gas and air from then on as it was starting to get pretty hard work.... got in the pool at 12ish when 6cm, and things went pretty fast from then on, and it really helped with the pains. I was trying to push in the pool, but could feel the head slipping back each time, getting tired, and contractions were slowing. They suggested a walk around- but as soon as I was out, so was Elliot! So he was born with me standing next to the pool, being held up by DH! Took about 5 pushes, and 10 mins according to my notes (8 hr first stage), he arrived at 2.15pm.

Things started to go less well after that, as the placenta refused to budge. I got my first (and hopefully last) ride in an ambulance for hospital transfer, where I went on a syntocin drip. Thankfully that did the trick and 3 hours later the placenta was free... the doctor was incredibly rough and I think that was the most painful part of it all :eek: It was at that point all my readings went haywire - glucose high, bp high - then really low. In part it was dehydration as I'd not drunk anything for 4 hours in case I had to go to theate, so that was saline drip time... also not eaten since the day before (had tried breakfast, but threw up). They also let the same doctor do my stitches - a second degree tear, apparently M shaped so quite tricky - hazards of Elliots quick exit I guess! At least I had a local for that bit.

Anyway, it was quite late at night by then so I tried to get some sleep without much success - there was quite a screamer in the delivery room next door! Next day had several tries at getting out of bed but just went very dizzy, so another drip needed - this time a transfusion to get my iron levels up. Plus another sleepless night - had just got off to sleep after a mammoth feed session for Elliot when they came to re-do bloods, then to move me to the main ward 2 hrs after that.... at 4am :eek: where the person in the bed next to me snored almost as loudly as the screamer had sounded the previous night. That was a good reminder about why I'd tried to avoid the hospital... They finally let me out at 3pm yesterday with iron tablets. Feeling pretty tired and shakey still but managed a reasonable amount of sleep last night Stitches are still very sore too but hoping that will ease soon, DH is about to go and pick up some anti-inflammatories from the doctor now!

Phew, that was long... well done if you've managed to read all the way through Elliot is a real sweetie and very calm, and I think it was all worth it....;)