Birth Details:
Date of Birth: 17th August 2008 (Sunday)
Time of birth: 12.44pm
Birth Weight: 7 pounds 10 ounces (3.47kg)
Head Circumference: 36.5cm
Length: 48.5cm
Adam was due on the 8th August, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Had an antenatal appointment at the Townsville General Hospital on the 14th August as I just knew I would be overdue and was booked for an induction on the 18th August. Started to lose my mucus plug on the 15th August but didn?t tell DH as I was so sure he would panic. Had a few twinges in my lower back on the 16th but nothing to be concerned about.
Woke at approximately 7.10am on the 17th and got up to get DS1 his breakfast. Had the first contraction at 7.30am while getting Weetbix ready. Second contraction occurred while eating breakfast so I knew this was going to progress reasonably quickly. Didn?t want to wake DH as he had been out late the previous night on the Townsville RAAF Base in Garbutt for a Remembrance Day Ham Radio Contest with the Padre but he woke up about 7.45am anyway as he was planning on going back to the Base for the rest of the contest. Um, he didn?t get there! Told DH when he came out that I had experienced some contractions. I went to the toilet and the next contraction hit. Hopped into the shower as the contractions were getting more intense.
I called DH into the bathroom and told him that he needed to call his dad and tell him not to visit today. Kev was going to come around after church to say good luck for the induction. DH couldn?t get a hold of him as he had already left. Oh well! I also told DH to call the birth suite at the Townsville Hospital as we were going in. No timing of contractions here, damn they hurt!!
Left for the hospital at approximately 9am and arrived about 5 minutes later. DH dropped me off at the front door and went and parked the car. He came back during the middle of another contraction. I even got a comment from a passerby saying ?not long now!? Really, you think??!! Went up to the Birth Suite and was taken to Suite 4. Was introduced to Kerri who was the midwife who stayed with me for the whole labour. Lovely lady!! Had a lovely view outside of some swaying green bamboo. I noticed this AFTER the birth.
Was put on the monitor to see how bubs heart was and whether she or he was still happy and comfortable. We hadn't found out if bubs was a boy or girl as we love surprises. Yep, all good! Had an internal done to see how things were progressing and it didn?t hurt that much. I was 4-5cm dilated and thinly effaced. Yah!!! Was taken off the monitor about 25 minutes later as everything seemed great.
Tried to get comfortable for the next few contractions but lying on my side seemed to bring them on faster and couldn?t get comfortable enough. Finally went into the shower. This was brilliant! Who gives a damn about the drought, not me!! Stayed in the shower with DH by the door and breathed through some contractions. Started to vomit every now and then. Weetbix does not look good the second time round. After a while (not sure how long), I asked for the gas as I was struggling with the pain. Was given the portable gas tube sucker thing. I liked the one from DS1's birth in Toowoomba better as it had a little ball thingy that rattled. This one was quiet and not as fun. Yep, high as a kite! Used that for quite a while until it started to give me head spins. Probably not good when standing in a wet shower. Asked for some pethidine. DH relayed this to Kerri. Kerri told me that I would have to come out of the shower so I could be monitored if I had the pethidine. I told her she was nasty and she agreed !! I turned off the shower and was dried off.
Went to the bed so Kerri could do another internal to see if I was okay to get the pethidine. Was given the talk about the risks and effects of pethidine on me and bubs. I said okay and received the minimum dose with some maxalon to stop the vomiting.
Seemed like only a few minutes later when I started to get the urge to push. Everything went so fast then. Another midwife came in to assist and the baby came out relatively easily. Bub was put on my chest and I checked and saw we had a baby boy. I was getting the injection to help the placenta come out by the second midwife when Kerri raced around the bed. DH had fainted as I had grabbed both his hands and he couldn?t get his balance or breathe properly as I was gripping them so tightly. Kerri hit the assist button on the wall and about 4 people charged into the room. They helped lower DH to the floor so he could get his breath back. DH had lasted until after all the hard stuff had finished. I was so impressed as I know it is really hard for him to be anywhere near medical situations!
DH and I had a snuggle with our new baby for about an hour. DH left the room once Liz and a student doctor came in to stitch the second degree tear I has sustained again. Was in the exact same position as when Cooper was born. The baby stayed with me and tried to breastfeed while I sucked the gas for all I was worth. That is damn good stuff but it still hurts like hell to be stitched!
Adam was weighed and measured and given his vitamin k injection. I was then taken to the maternity ward where I stayed until Tuesday (19th August).
Adam Denis - 17/08/08
!! I turned off the shower and was dried off.
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