Juliette's dramatic and ultimately very lucky arrival (LONG)
A bit of background to begin with: I gave birth to DD1 in Feb 2006 via unplanned c/s due to foetal distress. I had used hypnobirthing and made it to 7cm dilated drug free until DD1 decided that she wanted out and wouldn't wait. Her heart rate kept dropping and not coming back up. When the OB was getting her out he said that she had been posterior which had been a major contributing factor to the distress.
When we found out we were having another baby we researched our options and decided that given the circumstances surrounding the previous birth there should be no reason that I couldn't attempt a VBAC. I found a wonderful pro-VBAC OB who was very realistic but also very positive. I employed a wonderful doula who had worked on VBACs before and I did my hypnobirthing revision to use again.
Given that with DD1 I had a problem free pregnancy and went into labour spontaneously after my waters broke at 37w6d, we assumed that this baby would also be early and also pretty similar in timing and size etc. I should have known this one would be different when we had a bleeding scare at 6w After the scare though everything progressed well and I finished work at 36w assuming that I wouldn't have long to go.
Well my pregnancy passed my delivery date with DD1 and this baby seemed like it was in no hurry to go anywhere. I started doing acupuncture, massage with clary sage oil, eating curries and even DTD with DP but still nothing looked like happening.
At 39w3d I had an internal with my OB who said that my cervix was effaced and I was 1cm dilated so I was encouraged by that. That night and the next morning I lost my mucous plug and had a show. That morning I visited a friend and started getting some strong crampy back and low down pain. Even after walking home it didn't let up. Then I had another, larger show and started getting more contraction like pain.
I rang my mum to warn her to be on alert as she was on-call to pick DD up from childcare. Then I rang my OB and my doula. Both said it sounded like early days and that I should stay at home and try to rest a bit longer. I decided to have a shower and wash my hair. I started to get stronger and more frequent pains that felt a bit more urgent so I called DP at work and said that I felt like a wuss but I really wanted him to come home. He was home within 20 min. In that time things had ramped up in intensity and when he started timing me the contractions were 2mins apart lasting 30-40sec. We decided he should pack the car and that I should get into the hospital just as a precaution.
Just as we were leaving the house I went to the toilet and my waters broke. It looked like there was some meconium staining but I couldn't be sure so I said we had better go now just in case. When we got to the hospital I got back into the shower in the birth suite and the midwife confirmed there was meconium so she wanted me out to monitor the baby. Then things started to get really painful. I was trying to use the hypnobirthing breathing to breath through the contractions but this pain was at the front of my uterus and it wasn't going away with the breathing. It was different pain and it felt wrong and out of control. It felt like I was trying to push the baby out through the front of my uterus. I described the pain to my doula and the OB. The OB had a look and saw some fresh blood and said we needed to prep for a c/s now!
I was immediately rushed into theatre and given an epi. About 10 minutes later the OB said she could see bubs hair through the uterus it was so thin and then as she touched the old scar it ruptured completely. She said we had about 5 minutes up our sleeves and my uterus would have ruptured during my contractions. In that situation it can be fatal for the baby and also the mother.
Fortunately baby Juliette Nicola was born safe and sound and I was able to be repaired however if I hadn't listened to my instincts and gone in when I did the outcome could have been so different. I am just so grateful I knew something was wrong and followed through with it. I can't even feel disappointed that I didn't get my VBAC as everytime I look at my little girl I am overwhelmed with the joy that she was clearly meant to be here and that for a matter of minutes she might not have been (and neither might I).
Wow Nai, you'll be able to tell Juliette in years to come of her dramatic entrance.
Thank god you followed your instincts when you knew something was wrong, sounds like you had good Ob too that didn't stuff around and got things going.
Congrats again, its great to see the end result is both of you well and healthy.
OMG that story is amazing. Very very scary. Thank you for sharing it. And congratulations on the arrival or your little princess Juliette. Beautiful name.
Wow Nai - aren't our instincts amazing! I follow mine every day and would be lost without them too. Congratulations on the birth of Juliette and kudos to the skills of surgeons when we need them. Enjoy your babymoon
Gosh Nai, WOW!! So glad you are able to tell your story, it is amazing how you knew something wasn't quite right. Just amazing! Enjoy every moment with your gorgeous little Juliette xxoo
OMG Nai, thank goodness you and baby Juliette are safe and sound. She is just divine BTW. Well done! Oh, and well done to you for posting this only 2 days post birth. AND have a new ticker and photo all sorted! You're a superwoman
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Juliette's dramatic and ultimately very lucky arrival (LONG)
After the scare though everything progressed well and I finished work at 36w assuming that I wouldn't have long to go.
thank goodness you did trust your instincts and your doula and support team did as well!
Very very scary. Thank you for sharing it. And congratulations on the arrival or your little princess Juliette. Beautiful name.
Thank you for listening to your body's words....
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