MSE Pregnancy Club Birth Stories

Buttonmoons

I had my DD in April 06, she was due on the 10th and that's when I went into Labour but she wasn't born until the early AM of the next day.

I woke up at about 3am on the Monday with niggling pains, didn't wake OH up so I put King of the hill on the TV and watched that, by 6am, It was a lot more painful, phoned the hospital and they said to go in. I frantically dry shaved my legs before we left which resulted in lots of nicks, owch.

Got put in a delivery room when I got there, I can't remember how far along I was, no-one told me but was obviously enough for them to keep me in. The pain stopped for a bit so me and OH had a stroll round the hospital and the grounds and got some snacks, went back to the room and the pain had picked back up and they offered me a tens machine, didn't like it, felt like I was being electrocuted! They then gave me a gym ball which I did not even entertain the thought of using, I just visualised myself falling flat on my bum!

The pains were getting quite bad and my waters still hadn't broken, so I got those popped and it felt quite nice, kinda like bubble wrap being popped inside you.

Zoom onto about 5pm and I'm asking for gas & air but apparently I wasn't in enough pain.....

I recall laughing hysterically at the radio because Gwyneth Paltrow had called her son Moses.

About 9pm they finally give me gas & air, and everything started getting weird, I kept vomiting, and they kept telling me off as I was gulping it back before a contraction, I remember saying I was building it up. Hah.

They then gave me a shot of pethidine as I was in agony, this was about 11pm, and OH told me I kept falling asleep, I'd wake up with every contraction and vomit, wetting myself also featured heavily. I can't even remember what happened between then and when I gave birth but I do remember them telling me to stop screaming.

DD was finally born at 1:35am, along with my worst nightmare, some of my poo!

There was a weird smell when she was born so they had to take swabs, and it really scared me, also struggled to get the placenta out, they didn't even ask me if I wanted the injection, I was just given it. I remember lots of tugging and pulling and me screaming, It hurt worse than a contraction.

I felt SO ill afterwards, terrible, I managed to stumble to the shower and freaked out when what looked like pieces of liver fell out of me, I told them and they said OH THATS JUST BLOOD CLOTS, I've never seen a blood clot the size of frying pan, but they know everything right.

Was kept in the ward for 5days and it was TORTURE, they lost the swabs they had taken from DD, so had to take them again, and then mislabeled them, on the 5th day they said OH YOU CAN GO HOME, IT WON'T OF BEEN STREP B. Wasn't till I got home and looked up about strep B that I was like OMG! Useless!

The blood that you get after a baby still haunts me, really, I knew something wasn't right because when I got home the blood changed and it smelled PUTRID, I am not joking, I was having to shower 7 times a day, and even having a 20min nap in the bed after a shower with OH, I'd wake up and smell it, I was in tears, but the midwife told me that ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO SMELL EXACTLY LIKE MENSTRUAL. I was feeling really dirty and even OH could smell it off me, it was THAT bad.

So a week after being discharged we went into town to register her birth, on the bus home my stomach seemed to expand before my eyes and I felt a burning in my gut, I had to unzip my jeans. I went home and had a bath and then went for a lie down and OH was downstairs with my mum and DD. I woke up about an hour later SCREAMING, OH ran upstairs and I was rolling around the bed sobbing and screaming. I can honestly say that was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life, like being stabbed in the gut. I managed to crawl down the stairs and my mum burst into tears when she saw me, I phoned NHS 24 and they sent an ambulance and I was blue lighted back to the maternity hospital as that's where they were told to put me.

Whilst there they kept wanting urine samples but I was bleeding so heavily, it was always contaminated, they sent me for a scan of my womb and there was HUGE bits of placenta still in there, which had given me an infection, hence the sheer agony. Staphylococcal was what it was or something that sounds like that, it had given me blood posioning. I was hooked up to IV drips, some with saline others with antibiotics, and woken up during the night with injections into my wrist with more antibiotics, they wouldn't allow me to take DD into the room with me (It was a private one) so my mum was watching her. I had to get a D & C and was kept in for 4days, I think being apart from DD at such an important time and feeling so dreadful with the blood etc, is what caused me to be very depressed for about 6months.

The whole experience has put me off having another child, which is sad because I'd love one but I really don't trust the hospital now, even looking at the midwives notes after I had DD, it says on the forms my placenta was fragmented, but yet no-one told me.

Awful experience but so glad DD is here.

madison's_mum

Natalie 6999 my due was 7th February 2004 as well how strange! Anyway Madison arrived 3 days early i had been out for a long walk with my mum that day and was supposed to go shopping with her the day after, my last words before i went home were "unless i go into labour tonight haha!" Guess what happened!? I had my first contraction at 950pm on 3rd Feb and they were 10 mins apart straight away, then 5 mins then 1. I spent the first few hours on the sofa and in the bath then got to hospital about 4am convinced they were going to say i wasnt in labour but i was 5cm dilated. I'd had a great plan for my (then) partner to massage my back but the first time he tried i just screamed at him not to touch me like a mad woman lol. I ended up have a lovely quiet water birth with Madi being born at 830 then the problems started.
My mum had to go to take my little brother to school and after the midwives tried to stitch me up but couldnt my ex had to go to a job interview. I had lost a lot of blood by that point but no one including me realised, the midwife tried about 4 times to stitch me up but i was crying in agony and on gas and air (having had no pain relief through giving birth) before giving up and calling for a dr, i distinctly remember someone sticking their head round the door asking "is it urgent he's having his lunch?" i had gone into shock by then (again no one noticed) and was drinking glass after glass of water and was cold and sweaty before the dr deigned to turn up. He tried once but couldnt stitch me to very rudely said "give her a spinal and get it done i havent got time for this" before leaving again.
I got taken to theatre and they tried to sit me up for a spinal (cue screaming agony from me) before he said "oh just give her a general". I spent 4 hours in theatre had to have blood and clotting agent transfusion after losing half the blood in my body, had no blood pressure at one point and they told my mum they werent sure if i would make it after having a massive internal haemorrage giving birth. I came round with a drip in and bag of blood over my head and my first question to the dr was "can i have any more babies?" lol!
Two days later i was on the ante natal ward and one of the nurse said i had a low blood pressure i said it was better than it had been ie none at all and she said "ooh that was you? You're famous round here, you know in the good old days you'd be dead!" Very cheering!!
It took a while but i did make a full recovery and i have beautiful daughter so it was all worth it and i'd do it again if i could have a c-section

MadDogWoman_2

April 07.

On my due date felt a bit rubbish, just wanted to sit and do nothing. That evening had a show. DH and I get a bit excited. Go to bed.

I wake up in the morning, DH still asleep, I get dressed go to put my socks on and what I think are my waters go - ring the hospital go in for monitoring, where baby doesn't meet the criteria, not unusual been done that every time I was monitored - Type 2 diabetic.

Told to come back that afternoon for more monitoring, take the dog for a long walk get niggling pains the whole time.

Return to the hospital fail the criteria again (damn computers) get admitted, get the smallest salad I've ever seen for my tea!

Just before DH leaves he hooks me up to the TENS machine as now having to stand up and circle my hips to deal with the niggles.

DH goes home at 8pm.

Have further monitoring at 9pm don't meet again! Concern about my BP told to drink a jug of water in the next hour.

11pm another monitoring, meet it this time but doctor not happy! BP OK.

Told I was being taken down to delivery to be speeded up (only 1cm).

I panic and constantly ask if DH has been phoned - relief when he finally arrives.

Gel inserted at about 1am, still no real pain just niggles, beginning to feel out of it due to lack of sleep.

MW and Doctors in and out constantly checking the trace leaving after giving very false smiles. Me now breathing though pain.

4am - still only 1cm! doctor tries to break my waters (turns out it was only the hind waters that had gone) can't do it.

Given options: Continue with the gel and have the drip at 7am or have a c-section.

I went for the c-section as I knew I would probably end up with a section anyway.

Taken to theatre, DH changed into scrubs. DD born at 5.19am, pooing. Her cord blood was checked, MW tells me it was a good thing she had been delivered. To this day we don't know why she was stressed.

DD handed to me to cuddle whilst surgeons practice their embroidery skills. DD spends the entire time trying to latch onto my cheek! The anethetist cuddles DD whilst I'm moved off the operating table.

Moved to recovery too scared to hold her I was shaking so much. DH phoned the family with the news. 1 nephew very happy as it's his birthday! Been a mutual fan club ever since.

Taken up to the ward at 7am, DH sent home, MW help latch DD, but I was badly positioned so got very sore, but too tired to say anything.

No sleep at all. No food till the afternoon - had to test blood sugars as feeling very ropey (3.6) MW informed provided with egg mayo sandwich, my worst nightmare. (I'd had nothing since the salad the night before). Eat as too hungry to taste it.

DD given a bath at 7.30pm due to a sticky eye, all on video thanks to my dad as I was too out of it to take notice. He was good though, as no shots of me.

Everyone gone by 8.30pm, ask for more pain relief finally receive a dose of morphine at 11pm - had nothing since the morning! Got told off for that.

Maternity support worker finally takes DD at 2am to give me a break as I'm scared of hurting her as I'm hallucinating due to morphine and lack of sleep. Manage to sleep until 7am when DD brought to me for a feed. Read in my notes after that her nappy had been the problem, it hadn't even crossed my mind!

Following breakfast in bed catheter removed and helped out of bed and walked to the shower, which was heaven as it was the first hot weekend of the year! Had been offered a bed bath the night before but I was fed up of being poked and prodded.

I had a bay of 4 beds to myself for 2 nights, which I was grateful for as DD was a night owl. Was very resentful when new mums moved in!

Was glad to get home after 5 days in hospital as that last night I'd got to sleep at 3am to be woken at 4am, 5am and 6am by new mums being brought to the ward.

The method of DD's arrival was never an issue, I was just grateful she was here after 8 years of fertility treatment - the other reason for the c-section I didn't want to put such a miracle at risk.

Sami_Bee

Well thought I had better add mine before it gets muddled up with #2's arrival (hopefully next week!!)
Christopher born Jan 2007
He was unplanned, I only discovered I was pregnant at around 8 weeks so even though I was convinced he was due on new years eve I didn't know my LMP so 'they' relied on the date from my 12ish week scan which was 16th Jan.
I woke up at 6am on 13th Jan needing to pee, when I stoop up off the loo there was a trickle - no big news there so I sat down in case there was more. Stood up again and there was another trickle, I thought that was weird so sat down again and decided to hold some tissue to catch any further trickles, of which there was another - had a peek and a sniff (the things you do when pregnant!) and decided it was definitely not urine but my waters!
I shouted to OH and got him to have a sniff too just in case :rotfl: he agreed and went to call the hospital who said come in to be checked over.
At this point I said I'm not going to hospital like this! so I decided to wash my hair while OH called my mum. As soon as I got in the shower the pains started - random stabbing pains right in my foof! they took my breath away but not so bad - a bit like when you stub your toe and it hurts like mad for about 10 seconds but then you're fine again.
Then came the dia-woo-woo - At least I prob wouldn't poop in labour.
By the time we were all ready and at the hospital the pains had stopped, no idea what time it was but I'd guess at 7:30/8am?
I was put on the monitor and checked over, baby was asleep so ice cold water was called for and that got him jiggling. All was fine, I wasn't having any more pains and my cervix was closed but effaced so MW said it could be hours and hours yet and I could either go on the maternity ward or go home.
I chose to go home and was given some disposable thermometers to take my temp with every few hours and a community MW would be out to check on me at around 3pm.
When we got home my mum nipped to tesco for sandwiches for lunch and I attempted to have a nap on the bed with OH rubbing my back as it had started to ache but I couldn't get comfy and contractions followed shortly after (this was about 10:30 am) OH set me up with the TENs machine and the pains were coming and going regularly (didn't time them tho) after what felt like 10 mins I was screaming with each pain on all 4's grabbing handfuls of duvet and burying my head in the pillow. I managed to shout "get mum back I need hospital!" so OH called my mum to come back and then I suddenly felt sick so OH thrust the bedroom bin at me and I dutifully cleared the top half of my digestive system just as mum walked through the door.
Driving back to the hospital was uncomfortable - sitting and wearing a seatbelt not good in labour! Mum was constantly trying to get through to hospital but the line was busy and we arrived without managing to speak to them.
I was looking sexy in a red hoodie of OH's, my trainers and a pink nightie with TENs wires dangling from beneath it the walk from car to ward was soo hard! I had to stop every 10ish steps to breathe through a contraction.
i was put into a delivery suite as the obs room had someone in it. I was seen by the same MW from earlier who was shocked to find I was now 4cm dilated and she announced she thought she would be delivering this baby before her shift ended at 1pm, I settled back into my on all 4's ripping the bed pose and she put the monitor on for a bit - trace was fine and at that point she offered gas n air which I was happy to accept! I was left to it with my mum n OH to look after me.
I have no idea of times at this point but after a bit I got soo annoyed with the pants-ness of the TENs machine I ripped it off and threw it at OH after a bit more time I had to turn onto my back as pressure of the head was too much and I felt like pushing, Mum pushed the buzzer, MW came in and I shouted at her "i need to push!" she had a peak and announced "ooh yes you do!" :rotfl: so some pushing later out popped Chris at 12:57pm just before MW finished her shift :cool: I had 4 MWs for him actually coming out due to it being shift change, one of them handed me Chris and I gave him a kiss before they gave him a wipe and did the usual checks. I looked at OH and he was crying his eyes out - bless! that set off mum and me so we all had a cuddle and mum n OH held Chris while the MW sorted out the placenta and a few stitches and well that's it

Paediatrician that did his newborn check agreed that he was definitely an 'over done' baby so I was right he was due around new years. I'm actually pretty glad because 'they' would have been inducing me 3or4 days earlier than he arrived if I'd known my LMP and my labour would have most likely been much more difficult!
So I was in established labour for 4 or 5 hours and used only gas and air for pain relief :T The birth that lots of ladies wish for but don't get and for that I am eternally grateful to the big man upstairs !

rabbit8587

_pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale_

I was worried about how i would cope with pregnancy and birth when I thought labour was jus excruciating pain and maybe a tear and stitches........

Now I'm keeping my legs forever crossed!

jillie1974

Tia and everyone else who has had an awful time i think the one thing i have learnt from your posts is never take no for answer. if i feel or think there is something wrong or a strange feeling keep on at the nurses/midwife/consultant till they listen or do something.

smithyjules

rabbit8587 wrote: »

_pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale_

I was worried about how i would cope with pregnancy and birth when I thought labour was jus excruciating pain and maybe a tear and stitches........

Now I'm keeping my legs forever crossed!

ooohhhh noooooo rabbit!!!

I spent my pregnancy refusing to worry about the birth because they are all different and you can never know what to expect, good or bad.I honestly think this is the best way to do it. My story is posted above somewhere.

i spent a long time after my daughter was born saying i'd never have another baby because i would know whats coming (not the birth but the stitches!) and that i knew i would panic all the way through a second pregnancy. I have had panic attacks for 10 years so i didn't want to risk my mental health deteriorating. However...two and a bit years on i would have another baby if the time was right as Holly has made me the person i am today.She is worth every second of pain and worry and sleeplessness and i think that every time she gives me her filthy chuckle!!

So yes i would have another one, time is a good healer. Please don't be put off having a childd by these stories it might well be the best thing you ever do!Use these stories to prepare yourself for worst case scenarios and then when you breeze through you'll be even more pleased!

tiamai_d

rabbit8587 wrote: »

_pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale__pale_

I was worried about how i would cope with pregnancy and birth when I thought labour was jus excruciating pain and maybe a tear and stitches........

Now I'm keeping my legs forever crossed!

My second was bad but my first was wonderful! I told one woman that it was not anywhere near as bad as everyone tells you it is and she tried to say 'oh noooo you were in horrific pain!' but honestly I wasn't. It was 12 hours of pain that was bearable, maybe 30mins of bad pain as he was delivered and the rest of the night after that I slept. Next morning I was up and walking about quite happily. No stitches, few labia tears but nothing unbearable.

keelykat

Hi First time i've ventured back in a few weeks, but thought i'd share my birth story. It isn't very long!

On the 15th September 08 i was getting a bit of back ache but nothing that worried me, although my sister got excited when I told her. I was booked in to be induced on the 17th, and didn't expect anything before this date. My due date was the 19th but because of my high bp they were going to get things started early to be on the safe side.

At 11:45pm on the 15th, I woke up and needed the loo- my waters suddenly broke, lost my plug etc and I stood there in shock! I calmly rang up the hospital, who asked questions etc then told me i needed to go in! I then woke my husband up, told him my waters had broken and we need to go the hospital. He looked so scared lol-quickly getting dressed and mumbling as he went along...

We got to the hospital in super quick time as there was no traffic on the roads or anything. So just after 12 we were sitting waiting in a room in the hospital. My waters gushed everywhere in the waiting room, i was faffing about asking for something to mop it up with- my husband told me to stop worrying i was having a baby and didn't need to clean up!

We were took into a room to be examined, but i was left there for a good while as there were lots of ladies in at the time including two emergency c-sections. I was getting 'pains' but they didn't seem to bad...i later realised they were contractions but i was still in shock that i'd gone into labour so soon. Things started getting painfull not long after, and i started to worry that no one was examining me or telling me anything yet. Finally the midwife came in, checked me over and put monitors on for mine and the baby's bp etc (as i was on meds for high bp).

The next couple of hours flew by-the contractions sped up got really painfull and close together...and the next time they examined me they moved me to the labouring room but by the time i got onto the bed they wisked me to the room to give birth....everything was happening so quickly.... I'd been given gas and air which helped me loads, and i was sitting on the bed legs over the sides rocking back and forth like as if on a horse-this seemed to help a lot with the pain.

I kept thinking this cant be happening yet-it's too soon! I suddenly felt the baby drop, and had a massive urge to push...i told the 2 midwives i wanted to push and they said go on then! Still feeling in shock, i pushed twice and my baby was born

My baby boy was given a quick check over then placed on my chest, i looked down and couldn't believe my labour had only taken four hours and on gas and air-i was grabbing my husband telling him i wanted more pain relief only minutes before he was born... lol.

I was given an injection to speed up delivery of the placenta, which came out easily and quickly...my husband asked to cut the cord (i never imagined he'd actually do it).

The next bit is the bit i try not to think about too much, i had three 2nd degree tears because he'd come so quickly. So i needed stitches, these hurt more then the birth itself...i was back on the gas and air! My husband held Elliot during this, and they bonded really well

The most emotional part for me was when i was holding elliot on my chest, with my husband hugging me....he told me he was so proud of me and thanked me for giving him the best present in the world I've never seen him look so happy

It was a positive experience, but I'm going to enjoy Elliot by himself for a while before having another one!

keely.

aless02

oh, tia - your story made me well up and get goosebumps all over! even though it had a happy ending in the long-term, it must've so scary at the time.

thanks so much for sharing your stories, ladies. We're expecting our first child & I'm the youngest in my family, so I've got absolutely no practical experience of births! Personal stories are so much better than reading it in some book...