Wow! What an amazing different experience to my first! I thought I’d sit down and write this while it’s still all fresh in my mind (not that I could forget it in a hurry)
Background – Started trying for #2 in July 2009 2 months before our wedding thinking that at least we had some time to practice and if I was pregnant for the wedding then I’d only be a couple of weeks. To our surpise it all happened VERY quickly and found out we were pregnant a few days before our wedding. A lovely wedding gift. Sheriden’s due date was the 19th May 2010.
Pregnancy went off without a hitch. A little bit of morning sickness but NOTHING compared to my pregnancy with DD1. I did however suffer allot with back pain this pregnancy leaving me in so much pain at times I could barely walk. Other than that I had a pretty smooth pregnancy. I was very paranoid towards the end though about everything little thing and wondered if it was normal.
I had a number of issues with the hospital that I gave birth at (see previous thread/s) in regards to the care I received from doctors and midwives. A this didn’t change the whole time (with the expection of the MW I lucked out with for the birth). As a result complaint letters have been sent to director of nursing, local members, ombudsman and health minister.
So, to the birth…
Sheriden was due on the 19th May 2010. Little did we know that she wasn’t to arrive for another 7 days! Everyone Including my dr, DH and I thought she was coming early. I’d been having quite strong and painful BH which I was convinced was contractions.
I was so desperate to meet out new LO by then end that we were trying EVEYTHING to help this baby on. EPO (orally and internally), walking, baths, acupuncture, reflexology, sex, hot foods, pg ball…everything!
Tuesday 25th May (5 days over) – started having minor twinges from about 6pm after having a bath with DD. It was a beautiful bath we shared with bubbles, toys and lots of hugs and kisses. These continued through the night but nothing that wasn’t eased with some panadol and hot wheat bag.
Wednesday 26th May (6 days over) – Woke about 7 am with a very painful contraction and they only got stronger from here. I called a GF to come and get DD so that she didn’t have to see me going through this. She is a sensitive kids like that and I really needed to focus. Jumped in the shower about 8.30am and contractions were getting stronger but by no means were they regular yet. I had an appointment booked with post dates clinic for 1.30pm so after speaking to the hospital they said if I hadn’t gone to delievery before then to still go to the appointment. So, during the morning I was in and out of the shower, played Wii with DH (hahaha – he thought it was funny to play tennis and beat me while I was having a contraction LOL), listened to music and just tried to focus on what was happening.
By the time I reached the post dates clinic contractions were between 5 and 7mins apart and lasting between 30 and 40secs. At this stage I was only 3 -4 cms dialated. The decision was made that no dates would be booked for induction (YAY) and I could go straight down to the birth unit.
Once there a canula was put in for AB (I found at on the Monday I was GBS Pos) and I could jump in the bath. It was Bliss!!! I spent basically the whole labour in the bath, using gas for pain relief. I know DH was so stressed and nervous and scared for me that he kept asking if I wanted something stronger but I was so determined to do this my way. I found a spot on the wall in the bathroom and became so fixated on that spot. A crack in the tile was all it was. I was so focused that DH and mum and the MW could talk to me and between themselves but I knew if I took my focus off that I would lose it and wouldn’t be able to finish what I started.
During the time in the bath, there were doubts as to whether my waters had broken yet so as much as my MW didn’t want to get me out of the bath she needed me to try and pass some urine. She was so apologetic and felt so bad I got out onto the toilet and back into the bath to continue labouring. By this stage contractions were lasting 50 secs to 1min. After about 5hours of labouring like this I was starting to become really tired. All I wanted to meet my new LO. This is when I asked for the waters to be broken and how glad I was when this happened. So again, out of the bath (a very lengthy process between contractions) and this was the first time on the bed the whole labour. Once my waters were broken everything happened so quickly. 5 or so contractions later and I was ready to push. I had the most overwhelming urge to push (much different to what I remember with DD). I don’t even think the MW had a chance to have everything out ready to go. LOL
DD arrived safely and I will never forget DH’s face when he told me we had a new little girl, and the emotion from my mum when she heard she had a new grand daughter.
I was able to have skin to skin contact right from word go. DH cut the cord while she was laying on my chest and we stayed that way for the next hour or so. DD2 started feeding after about 10/15mins and did so like a pro!
In the time after that I had a significant amount of blood loss which resulted in me having a cather inserted and some drug (not sure what it was) to try and slow the bleeding. I think all in all I lost about 850mls. I just remember them changing sheets/pads/towels etc every few mins as it was soaked.
Overall, (apart from the blood loss) it was pretty much everything I had hoped for. I am so proud of myself for doing it the way I had always planned to. I had an AWESOME MW who was with me from start to finish and was supportive of my choices the whole way through, DH who was sceptical but supported me and my mum. Also a BIG thank you to everyone on BB for your support throughout my journey
Sherriden Ava
26th May 2010
Weight: 3880gm Length: 56cm HC: 36cm
Established Labour: 5hours 20mins
At home now and loving having 2 girls and DD1 is an amazing big sister.
What a brilliant story, so so happy for you and so proud , you did an amazing job birthing your little girl. Woo Hooo for avoiding the induction and your little girl chosing when she was ready to arrive!!!
Hope you have a wonderful babymoon and hope you have a smooth and gentle recovery
Take care xxooo
I am so happy for you hun. What a beautiful birth for your princess Sheriden. I am glad that you had such a wonderful midwife after all the hospital dramas earlier in the pregnancy and fantastic that you could labour in the bath. The photos of her are gorgeous. Let me know when you want visitors.
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Sheriden Ava 26/05/10 (VERY LONG)
about everything little thing and wondered if it was normal.
, you did an amazing job birthing your little girl. Woo Hooo for avoiding the induction and your little girl chosing when she was ready to arrive!!!
What a beautiful birth for your princess Sheriden. I am glad that you had such a wonderful midwife after all the hospital dramas earlier in the pregnancy and fantastic that you could labour in the bath. The photos of her are gorgeous. Let me know when you want visitors.
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