Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

I honestly don't know how I've bounced back so quick. I just think I was so exhausted from the pregnancy and being in pain for the last 2 weeks my body feels liberated now that he is here. Looking after him is far easier than carrying him. I'm still a bit achy in back and pelvic area but midwife said that is because I had such a big baby. Also, I am anaemic and on iron tablets so hoping they are working.

Went to visit manager and the post actually isn't 37.5 hours but is 30 which in all honestly suits me better at the moment and I would only have to work 2.5 days. We discussed what might be asked at interview and a few things are in the middle of changing (some of the assessment tools) so she briefed me on those. I do think though if I am offered the post I will have to return far earlier than June. She mentionned that have to be careful in these situations but couldn't hold the post till June. I would happily return in March and perhaps use some KIT days to cover some shifts before then. Anyway, we will see as I have to be the best at interview first! I am one of 12 so the odds aren't terrible but I don't know who my competition is!

DD not well, was fine when I left to see manager and DH asked me to get her something as she was wheezy. Came home to a very flushed 3 year old with a temp of 39 (under her arm) and a bit croaky etc. Doctors kindly fit her in and it's just a virus thankfully so nursery cancelled for tomoro and she can have a pj day and have lots of cuddles. The doctor asked how I was too as in early pregnancy I had the most awful chest infection I thought I would never get over and he remembered me! Booked my 6 week check to see him whilst I was there.

Wondering whether to send the following savings as an OP? Looked at cough syrups etc in Mr S and decided to just get Mr S vicks stuff costing £1 saving myself about £2. Then doctor gave me a prescription for ibuprofen so I didn't have to buy it saving me another £3. Obviously that's a £5 OP but as it's connected to DD not feeling well it seemed insensitive to capitalise on it but it is money saved!

Will post my birth story asap.

CathT

Birth Story

Well as you know I niggled for well over a week which was probably due to all the sweeps I had which started at 38+2. I'd been 3cm dilated since last tuesday. Went into hospital a few times over weekend with significant pains but was still told I was 3cm but that on the final visit I was stretching to 5cm. They told me the pains I was having on the Sunday 2nd were due to baby being back to back. I was in tears walking to the car and took 2 kapake and went to bed. I slept all night after a sleepless night Saturday and I think this was helped by the fact codeine zonks me out!

Woke up Monday 3rd October (my due date) still having some pains but was trying to hold out till seeing midwife but took some codeine before i went (just a lower amount), imagine my delight when at my sweep at 9am I was 4-5cm and she suggested I go straight in as this was second baby. So off I went to labour ward but they took one look at me and said i didn't appear to be in pain. Examined me at 10am and i was still 4-5cm, went on monitor for a bit and the exact pains i was having which i'd had the day before and they said were baby trying to move into correct position were showing as contractions.

They suggested I go for a walk and then head to to antenatal ward, i couldn't believe they were kicking me out of labour ward, i thought that was yours once you hit 4cm! The room was tiny tho and didn't even have a bathroom!

Went for a walk and by 10:45 I was having contractions every 3 minutes lasting for about 30 seconds. Carried on walking about after a brief visit back to the ward to update and by 2pm they were stronger but bearable. Midwife examined me and I was 5cm at 2:10 and she also gave me a really good sweep commenting on how high my pain threshold was since it didn't bother me!

I asked her what they would do about breaking my waters as last time they did them once i'd been in for 8 hours. She said they might do it as an induction at 9pm but would speak to the registrar. At 3pm my contractions got stronger and by 3:25 I asked for a heat pack and got on my ball when I could. This carried on but I managed to eat some tea when it arrived but by about 5:30 the pains were pretty much constant. I went to labour ward about 6pm and by the time I was examined etc it was 6:30. Midwife said she would break my waters and they were wondering what to do about declaring it a 'failure to progress' etc so i would have to be monitored. Anyway, midwife examined me and the instant she did my waters just ruptured! She examined me and said i was 7-8cm stretching to fully dilated. I started on the gas and air at this point. I remember getting the first really bad contraction and thinking I need something else but said to myself 'catherine, it won't last forever! you can do it without!'

I felt I took a long time to get to fully dilated but think it was just due to only having gas and air and feeling much more aware etc. I started to push at 21:20 and was waiting for the massive urges to push which didn't seem to happen for ages. I had a really big gap between the contractions stopping and the pushing urges coming. I pushed for 14 minutes and towards the end midwife helped me onto my left side to see if it would help the head come down. I delivered his head and then they pulled the emergency cord but I wasn't really sure what was happening. They thought he had turtle neck which can be a sign of shoulder distocia so they wanted an extra person there. A couple more minutes and Alex James was safely delivered.

They commented on his size and I wasn't that surprised to discover he was exactly 10lbs and measured 56cm but they felt he was probably longer than that but difficult to measure. He had a feed on both sides then back on the first side and we made our way to the post natal ward.

He is absolutely gorgeous and such a good boy so far - just very hungry!

wantabetterlife

Awww Cath...that is such a lovely story of how your wee man came into the world. Your making me broody again and my youngest is only 10 months old!
So delighted for you and im sure your wee girl is delighted with her brother. Goodluck for the job interview...i really hope you get it, at least you could enjoy the rest of your maternity leave knowing you are going back to a job you really like. Take care xo

stripes

You did an amazing job with the birth, a 10lb baby! I still cross my legs when I think about my births and both of mine were 6lbs! Well done you!

earthgirl

Hi Cath,

Thanks for the birth story. You are amazing getting back into things so quickly- well done you! I don't think I'll ever get back into all my pre pregnancy clothes!

Good luck for Monday, hope the job is yours.

gratefulforhelp_2

CathT wrote: »

I think he fed pretty much constantly till 2am then! I want to start expressing soon so that perhaps DH could do the 10pm feed now and again but don't want to mess up supply etc.

It's so early, just keep drinking plenty and rest up, the supply will be good and it will settle down. This stage is wearing isn't it?

Thanks for your birth story - well done - I love the way they told you that you "didn't appear to be in pain" wouldn't it have been better to ask you??

CathT

I've had to wake him for a feed, he'd gone 4.5 hours which I think is a bit too long at 11 days old and want him to fill up so he sleeps tonight! Managed to get him to feed for 3 minutes before he came off and went back to sleep - he's been a lazy boy today.

Don't think I've done any money making today but I have a nice tidy house!

Brodiebobs

aw bless him, might be having a growth spurt!! I too was told that i wasn't in established labour because i laughed at a joke the midwife made.... on that reasoning she left me to go see a woman who was 2cm dialated and screaming the place down, when she finally came and checked me 30 mins later i was 9cm!!!

museumworker

Thanks for sharing your birth story - although I also winced at the thought of 10lb. And with gas and air only!!! (although I have a friend who had her son with forceps delivery with just circular breathing:eek::eek:!).

Hope you get the job, fingers crossed!

CathT

museumworker wrote: »

Thanks for sharing your birth story - although I also winced at the thought of 10lb.

It made me wince too! Have only ever wanted 2 children but i think having a 9lb 10.5 oz (week late) and a 10lb (on time) baby is an excellent sign to stop! My family really is perfect and complete now though.

I need to check bills account is still surviving (am hoping it catches up next month as don't want to have to transfer and extra but water bill has arrived!)

I have £60 sitting in that account waiting to go as an OP and can transfer another £10 today as have sold a few more bits and pieces.

Am wondering whether to put baby in cot (in our room) soon, I know he's young (12 days) but he is not a fan of his moses basket (i think the mattress isn't sturdy enough for him). He sleeps brilliantly in carrycot of pram. I know he'll probably look quite lost in his cot but he is big and I guess the size of an average 3 month old? (getting him weighed when HV comes on Monday).

After an evening with a bit of colic he went from 10.30-7 with a feed at 3am. How good is that!! :T