Bailey's entrance into the world - April 23rd
I had started my maternity leave on 20/4 - thinking I had 4 weeks up my sleeve until my due date of 18th May, so spent the first few days busily getting through a list of chores/errands to keep me busy. I got to the first Thursday and I was in the middle of my cooking day to freeze a whole heap of meals for after bubs arrival when my waters started to leak at 2pm (slow trickle - thought I'd had a bladder malfunction at first until it happened about 4 times LMAO), so rang the hospital and as I had tested positive to the GBS the week before, they told us to come in as once the membranes are ruptured thats when this infection can cross to bubs. I rang my husband at work and told him he needed to come home as we needed to go to the hospital, he got home in record time after initially hanging up on me LOL - then he rang me back. I also rang my Mum to come over and sort out my mess of a kitchen with half cooked meals etc LOL.
We arrived at our hospital at 330pm and after the midwife confirmed I was infact leaking amniotic fluid (which was now leaking at a heavier rate) she rang my OB who suggested monitoring me to see if any contractions were occuring - so bubs HR was monitored as well as me and to my shock contractions were occuring (I couldn't feel them at this point as they were so mild). After waiting to see if they would escalate naturally my OB came in about 8pm and I was induced mostly due to the positive Group B strep, and we thought our little boy would arrive sometime on Friday. I was induced via syntocinon drip at 8pm, OB advised I was about 2cm, started contractions slowly for an hour, then **BAM** at 9pm all the action started. I pretty much went into full on labour with contractions minutes apart by 9pm. Our midwife Gwen and my Hubby Sean were fantastic and supportive, helping me try different positions to get comfortable and help ride out the contractions as I really wanted to avoid pain relief unless absolutely needed. I tried the fit ball, standing, sitting, massage etc. I was really caught out with how intense the contractions became in such a short time. Midwife suggested an epidural as my body had no time to build up to the contractions as they intensified so quickly due to the induction - I was quite taken aback so was just using breathing techniques and a bit of gas at this point. She explained that with the contractions being induced and escalating so quickly my body had no time to adjust to the contractions as they intensified. I was 4cm at this stage. At this point I thought an epidural was needed as I was really struggling with the current pain, let alone if it escalated further. 20mins later the midwife came back into the delivery suite with a consent form to sign for the epidural and our other Midwife Kathy who had started her shift said "Too Late, she's 10 cm, time to push!" I cant believe I got to 10cm so fast!
Our OB and Kathy advised me to channel my contractions into pushing our baby out (as I was verbalising my pain and forgetting to focus on pushing). So no pain relief in the end which was good as this is what I had originally wanted, and Bailey arrived at 11:12pm - it was a VERY quick labour. The funniest part was before Kathy told me I was ready to push I was yelling out "I need to do a massive poo" LMAO - so initially I thought my little boy was the biggest poo of my life too too funny I keep laughing every time I remember this bit! So Bailey popped out after about 20 mins of pushing and Sean cut his cord, Bailey was popped on my chest for the most amazing cuddle of my life, then whisked off to the special care nursery as needed a bit of help with breathing as had some amniotic fluid in his lungs and needed some assistance with his body temperature being so little, but came and roomed with us from Saturday afternoon which was the best thing ever.
I needed a few stiches due to the speed of delivery, I didn't really have time to ease him out - but as he was only 5pds 12oz he didn't do too much damage. The moment where I pushed him out was the most amazing feeling of release and relief of my life, I think I said 'OMIGOD' about a hundred times, DH was crying and while I held Bailey on my chest I delivered the placenta and the OB stiched me up.
It all happened so quickly I am constantly asking DH questions about the labour as I remember other bits - and he always tells me how amazing it all was - especially the moment Bailey popped out!!
So with the help of my fabulous husband, Midwives Gwen and Kathy and my awesome OB Prof Svigos - Bailey Peter arrived safely into the world - albeit 3.5 weeks early!!
