Birth Stories

i really was worried that there was no TV. I thought i could watch something while being in labour....hmmmm

Well I thought I'd finally contribute my birth story after all this time. Now the bad memories have faded!

Also, while I say 'overdue' I have no idea how over she was, may have even been on time (at 9 pounds 6 ounces?!?! ahhh!) seeing as I found out that she wasn't concieved when I thought she was (or with who I thought she was ).

On Thursday night, 8 days over my due date, I finally handed in all my uni work after sitting at the computer for a week or so with killer back pains (YAY for Hannah hanging around). The next day I had a check up with my midwife who did an internal and found that I was 3cms dilated and then did a sweep. Stupid me got all excited and was gently let down by midwife and Mum that it still might take a while to go into labour.

On Saturday, Mum dragged me round all day shopping which almost killed me. My back was hurting like hell. Which I hoped was a sign of labour, although that didn't mean it was welcome! The day passed without event and I was getting a bit disheartened thinking Hannah would never come - or atleast until the induction which was booked for the Wednesday. Then at 1.30am I woke up and went to the toilet, as soon as I stood up I felt water running down my legs. I was a bit horrified at that but then realised that it was my waters breaking. Luckily still above the toilet so just plonked back down. When I went to the bathroom to wash my hands I had a contaction. Which wasn't too strong, but I wanted it to be so I kinda pretended to have to breathe through it just to look like they do in the movies. (Ah boy did I have a nasty shock when they actually started hurting!!) Waters kept leaking out everywhere which wasn't so flattering but stopped after a while and by the the contactions were around 3 minutes apart (although I may have been a bit on the optimistic side).

My midwife, Carolyn, was at her bach an hours drive away (shows how concerned she was about me going into labour! hehe) so I called her and told her to get on her way. We left for the hospital (just have to consult birth record) at about 2am. I think the contractions must have slowed because they didn't seem to concerned about me once I got there, I think they were around 5 minutes apart. Waited around for a couple of hours. Wanted to go to the toilet but they wouldn't let me. I think it was because I was embarrassed that maybe the baby would end up pushing out "stuff" when she came out. (Little fear of mine... have no idea what happened... just don't want to know... ignorance is bliss!)

Carolyn checked dilation and broke my waters proper. Apparently my hind waters had broken earlier. After a few hours I had pethidine, which was fine for a while but as the contactions got more painful I wanted more drugs. Managed to finally convince Caroline to give me another dose but after that she wouldn't let me have any more. They gave me gas as well which didn't do bugger all unless you sucked on it as soon as you felt the onset of a contaction and my midwife was giving me crap about starting too early. hehe.

After 6 hours of labour my midwife said that I was fully dilated and I could start pushing. I think this is where I went wrong. I didn't listen to my body enough and was too anxious to get the birth over and done with so tried to force myself to push when the urge hadn't yet come. For ages they were trying to get me to push but it wasn't having any effect. Carolyn was trying to be really encouraging and in my eyes could do no wrong but as soon as my Mum piped up I swear I wanted to throw her across the room. Lucky for her I was able to restrain myself.

So still pushing (or refusing to push and trying to stop the birthing process) and Hannah's heart rate started dropping. My midwife called an obstetrician incase we needed help but after Carolyn threatened me to start putting some effort in, I think I finally started paying attention to the contractions etc. As the obstetrician walked in my little girl finally came out.

I don't really remember much as a result of being drugged up, but found out later that the cord was around her neck and that was probably the reason behind the dropping heart rate. It wasn't tight and was easily lifted over. In that respect I kinda regret the drugs. They were great for the pain but didn't allow me to focus on what my body wanted to do. So I feel a bit disappointed with my efforts in the birth but know that next time I'll know a bit more about it and will be able to pay attention.

So... Hannah arrived at 9.25am after one hour of pushing weighing 9lbs 6oz. Luckily no tears or significant grazing!

You get carried away telling your "stories" ay!! All good Nikki!! I'm a sucker for birth stories for some reason!!

lala

hhhm cannot remembwer if i wrote ayjas... might have to go back and look

hee hee. I read it Janine didnt notice the W until you pointed it out.

Hey Nikki.. Don't regret the drugs 'cause they made you fuzzy on the details, I had no drugs and still can't remember what happened!!

AHHHH, lol so Lizzle, you've reached that stage where you are thinking "WHAT AM I DOING??!! I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!" don't worry you'll think it again once you go in to labour too

OK - Scariness - My friend (well my brothers future sil and my friend ) is 1 week overdue and went in for a scan to check if bubs is ok yesterday as not engaged yet etc..... Doc estimated baby is over 11lb aaargh poor girl

That is one BIG bubba... SCARY!!