MSE pregnancy club II

izoomzoom

Hopeless Cook - the thread is rearing its ugly head again - OVERDUEness ! Sending you labour vibes .... and an EVICTION NOTICE !!! Get Out Baby Now !!:rotfl:

Sadie204, sounds like things are happening, and you aren't on line either

CG, Danny is just too [strike]beautiful[/strike] handsome :A

Rince, congrats on the arrival of Sophia, :A

and Agutka, main thing is you have a wonderful healthy little boy. Congrats again

Rince

Good grief, what a journey your little one had Agutka. Glad all was ok in the end. Epidurals are great :T Hope you're feeling better now. x

izoomzoom

Born at 2250 hours on Saturday, 3 November 2007, weighing 4.020kgs / 9lb6oz.

Friday, 2 November, late afternoon

Had to walk up to the local private school with DS1 and DS2 because DS1's artwork had been chosen for a presentation. DS1 was so excited. Afterwards, our own school had their Halloween Disco, and I helped out, by guarding one of the doors. Fortunately I was able to sit down for most of it, but was aware of contractions happening every 20 mins or so, but really wasn't sure if they were just more regular BHs. Didn't want to say anything, otherwise I would have been ordered home.

Overnight

Any contractions that I may or may not have been having seemed to die off, as I only got up every two hours or so, for a wee - although I was aware of tightenings on each of my loo trips.

Saturday, 3 November

DS1 had to visit his prospective middle school, so I and another mum, decided we would see how long and dangerous the walk was, which turned out to be about a good hour's worth (there and back). I opted, well actually decided in advance, that I would drive back and pick them up, as again I was aware of tightenings, but they were pretty irregular and I really didn't know if they were BHs or not. DS2 seemed especially exhausted from the walk too.

DH got home from work in the early afternoon, and I went and had a bit of a lie down. DS2 came and snuggled up too, and was soon fast asleep himself. I managed a good hour, but then got up, and started discussing with DH about our desperate need to get some groceries in, but DS2 was still asleep (very usually) and we waited around for DS2 to wake up. We played with the idea that I would nip up to the shops and get what we needed, but then DS2 finally woke up, and by this time I was having tightenings quite frequently, but again I still wasn't sure. In the end, we decided we would go to Tesco's and if things really accelerated, we would just get milk and bread and come home, but we managed to do the full shop, and with a rather large amount of dampness down below I stopped in at the toilet on the way out, and the dampness turned out to be my show, so I knew for sure, that my contractions were not just BHs.

We got home at 1830 hours, and put everything way, had a quick dinner and then at 1930 started the contraction timer (fantastic thing) http://contractionmaster.com/, whilst DH started to get the pool up. By this stage I was a regular visitor to the loo, and the contractions were 2.5 minutes apart, and lasting 45 seconds. I potted around for a while, explained numerous times to the boys that we thought the baby would probably be with us today or tomorrow.

At 2030 hours DH phoned the hospital, and still on the loo, I explained what was happening and then I had another contraction, so DH took over the phone, and then said they would get MW to call us back. By 2045 I was a bit concerned that MW still hadn't called, but she (Bridget) arrived at 2050 hours. It took me about 10 mins to come downstairs and say hello, but she was busy bringing in all her stuff.

We came back upstairs, and she checked BP, heartbeat, and then finally did an internal. Final confirmation - I was between 3 and 4 cm dilated.
We came downstairs, and DH started to fill the pool. DS1 started to time the contractions again, but to be honest I wasn't paying much attention to what they were. The boys were so excited about the pool being filled, that they were sent upstairs, but they were far too hyped up to sleep so were up and down the stairs like yoyo's.

Bridget called the second MW at about 2130, and told her that she should plan to be coming here at about midnight / 0100, but I held up my hand and showed her 3 fingers (as I was mid-contraction) and at the end I told her that I had had DS2 within 3 hours, so she changed her plan of action, and asked the second MW to come sooner rather than later. The second MW (my name sake, would you believe) arrived shortly thereafter. By this stage, the pool was about half full, but we had run out of hot water, so were waiting for it to heat up again.

Things at that stage still seemed quite manageable, but I did take up the offer of the gas and air when it was offered. What beautiful stuff ! I carried on labouring, leaning against the dining room table, and then sitting down on one of the chairs. When I got up again, I could tell that she was definitely moving her way downwards. The MWs asked if I would be more comfortable elsewhere. I didn't think I would be, but they suggested getting down on the floor, and leaning over my birthing ball, which I had never found particularly comfortable whilst pregnant, but found surprising comfortable and manageable in my current state.

I had lost all sense of time by this stage, but recall DH stating that the water was quite warm again, but I told him to hold off filling it until it was hot hot. Somehow, I knew that I would not be using it, as things were moving very quickly, but I wasn't disappointed.

DH says I had been leaning against the ball for about 10-15 mins and I had been feeling increasing pressure down below and then with an almighty burst, my waters broke. Unfortunately there was meconium in my waters, and I had previously agreed with Bridget that if this occurred, (it was part of a list of things) I would transfer to hospital. Unfortunately DH didn't hear this 'conversation' so all he knew was that the MW wanted to call the ambulance and transfer me - minor panic - but he quickly got the boys dressed up, and ran them up the road to our friends, who had agreed to babysit, if we needed them to.

During the minute that DH was away, I asked the MW what would happen at hospital, and they said I would probably be allowed to just labour as usual, but I just knew that things were happening too quickly, and I said that I wasn't going to make it. I started to remove my underwear, and when DH got back, I knew I would be pushing very soon. The ambulance crew arrived within a minute or two.

However, the MW said that I was too close to delivering, so the crew stood back, and waited near the front door. On my next contraction, Bridget confirmed that I was fully dilated, and I started to bear down really hard. I managed to get half her head out, but she had her hand next to her face, and I was told to stop pushing which was the most agonising thing, and I was being urged by both MW and DH not to push, and somehow I managed to 'listen'. Baby was also moving around alot too, and the MW said that is why it hurt so much (really ?). I had lost the gas and air by now too (I think I broke the pipe), and desperately waited for the next contraction, when finally I was allowed to push again - but urged to do it slowly (like how ?). She came out, and was caught by Bridget. The time was 2250 hours. DH told me that we had a little girl. Her cord was clamped, and then cut and she was then passed to 2nd MW who wrapped her and handed her to DH. I was unfortunately 'frozen' to my ball, but DH had her in front of me, so that I could see her.

The ambulance crew then brought in the stretcher as I would still need to be transferred because they were worried about the meconium that Sam had swollowed. 2nd MW then called the hospital again, and explained that I had delivered, but Samantha was perfectly fine. After a little bit of towing and frowing, they agreed that I didn't need to go in, and the ambulance was sent away. DH reckoned there was a lot of curtain twitching by the whole street because of the bright lights.

Afterwards, I had a jab to help me deliver the placenta, and that came away after a few minutes. I was helped up onto a chair, where I finally held my little girl. Meanwhile DH phoned our friends and they brought the boys back home, but I asked for them to be stalled at the door, whilst the 'mess' was quickly wrapped up and bagged by the MWs. DS1 and DS2, then met their lovely little sister (they didn't know she was a girl) and I then fed her for the first time.

DH and the boys then sat down on the couch with Samantha and I was helped to the bath, and then afterwards, I came downstairs and we all sat together staring at her, whilst the MW finished off all their paperwork etc. The MWs left at 0030, and then the boys finally took themselves off to bed, and DH and I marvelled at her, for a bit longer, and finally we went to bed at 0200. Samantha slept through until 0800 in the morning. I was too psyched to sleep but she is so worth it.

It was a truly amazing experience having her at home. I felt comfortable and in control and the MW were brilliant too - I was never pushed to do things in a certain way. I gave birth to Samantha in ways that were totally natural to me. I am not even remotely disappointed about not using the birthing pool (which even if I had used during labour, I would have had to get out for, for the birth, because of the meconium).

We are now a family of five, and with two boys and a little girl, we are truly blessed.

tsstss7

Agutka wrote: »

I've been putting off posting for ages, as lots to tell, but here you go. This is a brief account :rolleyes: of my birth thingy. Please ignore if you have chores to do.



I went overdue and here is what happened.
Thursday (40+9) I go in to clinic to discuss induction. I get a time for Sunday and a doc tries to perform a sweep – but cervix tucked up out of reach. Big fat ouch. They notice my BP is high (even though the previous day GP said it was fine) so I had to go in everyday for monitoring. On Sunday night I toddled off to hospital, completely unaware of the procedures awaiting…:cool:
Three hours of monitoring (baby looked tachycardic sp?, but decided it was just normal for baby) and a painful sweep and a prostaglandin gel later I was left to rest for the night. I got no sleep, as worried and had niggling period cramps and back pain. In the morning I was checked and achieved a pathetic 1cm dilation! Cervix still tucked away. But midwife said she could feel baby’s head:j, which was cute. The monitor showed I was contracting, so I was not given any more gel, but told to walk around:rolleyes:.
By the afternoon they decided to put me on BP meds and to carry on with the next procedure – breaking the waters.
So we toddled off to the delivery suite, where I was passed over to a midwife with rather large hands:eek:! Not happy. Over the course of the next six hours I was strapped to a monitor, as four different doctors donned gloves and tried to break my waters. And it hurt loads each time. In the end they decided I had no fore-waters and baby was right on the membrane thank you very much. Gas and Air did nothing for me! That was the worst bit of my birth experience really.
Then, because I had made to a giant 2 cm dilation, and they were sure my membranes were popped, so decided to go ahead with the oxytocin (is that right?) drip.
Cannula (yet another foray into pain and discomfort) was fitted and at midnight (Tuesday 16th!) the midwife was reasonably happy with baby’s hearbeat to start the drip. I was by this point rather erm… tired as hadn’t slept since Sunday morning.
I was feeling some cramp like contractions before the drip was started, but soon they got rather... stronger. And I am ashamed to say I laboured for one solitary hour before screaming for an epidural. The midwife was helpful – I’d recommend it, she said, as you’re only just starting the process! I was only 2cm, and it was only gonna get worse. So a very handsome man :Dwas called and soon he was poking at my spine (through four contractions – keep still my bottom!) – although I was disappointed how long it took to act – 15 mins. There was general merriment in the room as I turned from evil swearing thing to happy floating cloud! Then I just got to lay there as my body continued to give birth… Why doesn’t everyone do it this way?
I got to have some sleep that night, although MW kept waking me up to change positions. Hubby got a bed to sleep on too. Excellent birth experience.:T
Unfortunately, although I managed to get to six cms by 7am, that seemed to be my lot. Baby didn’t seem in distress, but was moulding to the 6cm hole. And I had a scare at 10am when the epidural stopped working.:eek: Different handsome man came to sort it out thankfully. Lots of docs came in and out with ideas, but really it was all heading in one direction. At 11 we decided to get it over and done with and signed some forms (after checking surgeon’s hands weren’t shaking!). By this point my medical notes looked like War and Peace!
Joseph was taken out of me at 12.13pm (excellent timing CG ). Apparently my dear son was back-to-back, which the five midwives I encountered on my journey knew about but couldn’t mention, hence the stupid pain, and the poor mite couldn’t turn, so got stuck at the six cms.


I then spent two looong weeks in hospital as they tried to get my bp stabilised:eek:, it was then that I lost my mind and will to live. Absolute torture.



I wish you all a better or shorter experience. Good luck!!

Hi Atguta

thanks for posting ur birth experience - I ended up in hosp for a week this time and certainly know what you mean about losing ur mind ...I was begging to be discharged in the end. It was chaos in the wards and although the midwives were generally nice I was given stock advice about breastfeeding by people who obviously knew nothing about my particular difficulties (baby wouldn't and still wont suck v hard and I have flat nipples) ...as well as having to wait well over 5 hours to bathe my baby when I was perfectly capable of doing it myself (they insist on doing the first one with you!)

Anyway - hope you are enjoying life with ur new little one ...and are recovering well yourself.

feefeelalabelle

hi all i would like to join your club if possible....what do i need to do??? all your birthstories are touching to read, mine unfortunatly didnt go quite as planned xx

daphne_descends

Oh I love reading the birth stories (however dramatic!) they make me want to do it all over again :eek:

:grouphug: for Agutka

Rince

Wow, izoomzoom, what a birth story. Congratulations, great news. :T
Glad you got the home birth you wanted. You're braiver than I am ! Well done.

Mice_Elf

Hello all. Can I join in your club? I'm 11 weeks pregnant and due to have my 12 wk scan on Monday. Already have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter, who's an absolute gem and love her to bits.

tranquil_2

Can I join too? I'm 20 weeks pregnant with number 3. Had 2 miscarriages earlier this year so slightly (!) more nervous this pregnancy than I was with the first 2. So far so good. I'm due at the beginning of April.

SeptemberBaby_2

fac73 wrote: »

Oh I love reading the birth stories (however dramatic!) they make me want to do it all over again :eek:

Me too!!!! How quickly we forget! :rotfl:

And I so miss the anticipation of being on The List!

Thanks Agutka & izoomzoom and congrats to all the newbies!

PS: You still here, fac?!? :rotfl:I can't find it in myself to move on just yet .

x