Madeleine May - born 2nd January 2008

[~Belinda~]

My partner Grant made me breakfast on the 2nd January and we were due to go to the Wesley Hospital at 6:30am to be induced. Madeleine was 3 days overdue. I wasn't too nervous when I walked in, until they hooked me up to the monitor and I heard the lady next door screaming in complete pain! Grant and I both looked at each other and I thought "oh no!"

My Obstetrician, Peter Ganter arrived and broke my waters at about 6.45am. I had already been 2cm dilated. I can't believe the rush of water I felt! It was like niagra falls between my legs and very hot!! Peter then disappeared back to his office.

My midwife was lovely (what was her name again??) and put the syntocinon drip in my arm. I needed a sick dish as I honestly felt like I was going to be sick (I hate needles). I was on a low dose of syntocinon to start with. I ventured off to the toilet and had a shower and all in all, I was pretty happy. Grant was taking pics and making me laugh.

All of a sudden after hoping back into bed, OMG, the drip had been turned up and my contractions were becoming strong. I could handle them though and didn't need gas or anything at this stage. I think it may have been around 9:00am. I am pretty sure I was about 4cm dilated at this stage.

Then it hit me, like a tonne of bricks. That syntocinon drip is lethal and makes your contractions come on so strong! At this stage, I needed the gas and in between each contraction, I sounded like a whale in the ocean. Grant was great, sponging my forehead and making me feel so good at each contraction.

I think by 10:00am, I was well on my way to contractions only being a minute apart, feeling each one come on like I was climbing a massive mountain, getting to the top and feeling good running down the other side! I think by this stage, I was about 7cm dilated!

Around 11:00am, I wanted to push really bad!! The midwife was in the background, getting everything ready whilst I was biting hard down on the mouthpiece of that damn gas and sounding even more like a creature in the ocean. I wanted pethidine and bad! I needed some pain relief but it was too late for an epidural. Some lady waltzed in and put the pethidine in my butt! I was then told it would take 20 minutes to kick in! WHAT!!

My Obstetrician then arrived at about 11:30am and I sent Grant out to call my Mum and sister. We were originally told I would labour at about 5:00pm but I was about to prove them all wrong! My Obstetrician, Peter, got everything ready, I was about 9.5cm dilated by this stage and pushing! I honestly felt like I was turning inside out! The midwive kept telling me to pretend I was doing a huge poo!!! I told my Ob I couldn't do it. He gave me a pretty stern talking to at this stage and encouraged me that I could do it!

The pethidine had kicked in and I was groggy but I could feel each contraction and they were unbelievable and about 30 seconds apart. Peter put the vacuum on Madeleine's head. I really needed some help! Next minute, I put my hand down there and her head was out!!!

Another few pushes and she was born! They put her on my chest and it was the single most wonderful feeling I have ever felt. I think Grant felt exactly the same way, I was pretty teary! She weighed 8lb 13oz...

Peter started stitching me up after I tore, I needed 10 stitches and it was a 2nd degree tear, 5 in and 5 out! I couldn't feel anything! I think I was just so numb from all the pain! I then was asked to push the placenta out! I couldn't believe he was asking me to push again!! A couple of pushes and it was out!

My sister and Mum then arrived and were crying, they were truly in love with Madeleine too! It was a relief to see them.

Madeleine then had a quick bath and a check over by the Paed and they brought her back to latch onto my boob! She did it so well and I was so in awe of our little girl. She was adorable! I can't believe that little angel was in me an hour ago and now she was here!!

I then walked into the shower! I was up and walking already. We then went to our room where we could really enjoy our new little addition. We were a family!

Grant was awesome through the whole experience and made me feel like I could do anything! He really encouraged me!

I can't describe the feeling I have for Madeleine. She is truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I feel blessed I had a good pregnancy and labour. I feel so wonderful that I am the mother of this little angel. No amount of words can describe the love you feel.