The birth I had always wanted
To make sense as to why this is about the birth I had always wanted, I will give a brief history - so please bare with me.
I found out I was pregnant in June 2005, and was quite frankly scared. My mum lives on the other side of the world (England) and the only support I had was my now ex's mother. My ex and I split in the August as he stated he he no longer wanted to be a father - so we went our separate ways but still kept in touch. He didnt attend any hospital appointments and I was pretty much left to do it all on my own. I was hospitalised just prior to christmas for high blood pressure, but apart from that the pregnancy was smooth sailing. In January 2006 we reconciled and I moved in with him and his mum. I remained working until 2 weeks prior to my due date (24/02/2006) and would often travel 2+ hours each way to work on public transport. As the birth neared I was quite anxious and scared.
On the 22/02 I woke up to agonising pains, which came very infrequently, but did make me double over. For the day they came and went and I was just told this was all normal. On 23/02 I again woke up to pains but this time they were frequent, every 5 mins lasting around 30 seconds. For the next 19 hours they stuck around, intensifying every hour. My ex MIL decided to take me to hospital (24/02 after a slight arguement as it wasnt the one I was booked into) and upon checking I was told I was 2cm dilated and to come back when the pains were too much to handle at home. I ended up back at the hospital at 7am in complete agony, and was told sorry only 3cm. The midwife told me to stay and we set up home. I was allowed to walk around, and at around 12pm my ex MIL ordered pethadine for me (as she wanted a break and was hoping it would make me sleep!!!) At 5pm my ex then left to go and play a softball grandfinal (some 2 hours away). Fast forward to approx 10.30pm and a noted 39 hours in labour, and my waters broke after being put on a drip to make everything happen quicker (I don't remember this happening!) At 1am on the 25/02 they said that I had an hour to have bubs as by this stage I was exhausted, otherwise it was off for a c-section. At 2.05am I gave birth to a healthy girl, and my labour was noted as 43 hours! I think what also made this a nightmare for me was I was not shown how to breastfeed correctly (even with 4 days in hospital) and after giving birth was left to lie in the "mess" until nearly 5.30am!
So now to the reason this was the birth I had always wanted.
I found out I was pregnant in December 2011, and was quite excited. I had looked after my daughter since the age of 10 weeks on my own, so knew that even if the father of this one didnt stick around, I would be okay. I had a m/c in August and as a result had a suspected perforated uterus which left me quite ill for the 6 weeks after.
My pregnancy was less than desirable. At 9 weeks I had a scan due to bleeding and cramping - all okay. 12 week scan came and went and everything was fine. Again at 14 weeks I had another scan and it was found that the pregnancy was aggravating the perforation and I was told to take it easy. At 17 weeks I was rushed to hospital after passing out at work due to pain. I was put on strict bed rest for a week, and an urgent morph scan organised. It was at this time I found out I was having a little boy (and so the comments started about a pigeon pair). I had my normal morph scan at 20 weeks and again it was confirmed.
The next few weeks went swimmingly, until at 28 weeks I was struck by symptoms of a stroke. Of course this put everyone on notice and I was told that getting this baby to term would be a challenge. 2 weeks later (30 weeks) I had an ultrasound just to make sure everything was okay with the little man after the stroke scare. It was found that the cord was compromised and again rushed into hospital. I was told there was every chance I would be having this baby in the coming weeks. The subsequent scan came back okay, but I was told in no uncertain terms I had to finish full time work sooner rather than later. I had been training my replacement for a while so organised to leave on the 8/6 (32 weeks).
My finish date for work came and went, and I reduced my hours to part time (my replacement was a bit slow on the uptake!). I was forever having massive headaches and at 34 weeks I was told I now suffered from pregnancy migraines (AWESOME!) My BP was fine (high for me but normal for everyone else) and P/E was ruled out.
I finished work at 36 weeks on the 6/7 after my replacement quit just days prior (and it was thanks to the awesome ladies on here that made me stick to that date and not stay on just to suit my work!)
At 37 weeks and a standard appointment, 3 midwives and an OB ultrasound, it was found bubs was still breech (awesome, can anything else go wrong). I was sent for a more formal scan and just 2 hours later he was head down (not engaged - I had a gymnast on my hands). I was already booked in for an ECV the following day (had been doing moxa and acupuncture since 34 weeks). I turned up as planned and found that bubs had turned himself breech - and after a successful turning I was allowed home (expecting to go into labour, but no this dude had other plans as he turned back breech later that night) As it was I was shocked to have made it this far, so was quite disappointed that I was left waiting, but as I was measuring quite a few weeks behind I knew the best place for him was still inside cooking.
At 38 weeks (and follow up ECV check up) it was found that he had again turned and was locked and loaded ready to go. 39 weeks came and a check up after no movements found him to be quite comfortable. By this stage I was starting to slip into a deep depression as I just wanted him here (and after being told I would likely deliver early it was very disheartening). I discussed induction with the midwife and we made an appointment to speak to the head OB the following week.
40 week check up and OB said no way to induction (as it would likely end in c-section, which was what we were hoping to avoid given my personal circumstances). He said we would look at doing it 12 days over by their dates which would have been 14/8. I knew I couldnt last that long so left rather disappointed. I had done everything to try and encourage this dude out (acupuncture, massage, walking, EPO, RLT etc)
At my 41 week check up I again asked about induction and the midwife did a stretch and sweep. I only measured 35 weeks so was told he made need to go into SCN. Head OB agreed to this (I think he was sick of me asking) and an induction was booked for 8am on the 8/8. I didnt tell many people about this as the messages had already been going on for ages about him arriving, me not telling people etc (this had added to the depression). I left that appt after the S&S and had a few painful niggles and was told to take my panadeine forte (for migraines) and get a good nights sleep. If last time was anything to go by, it would be a long day.
So 3am on the 8/8, I woke up and just couldnt get back to sleep, I was excited but also quite uncomfortable. My sister was coming down to be my support person so at 5am I called her and told her about my few uncomfortable niggles. I had also regularly been on the phone to my mum (joys of being on the other side of the world, she kept me company!).
At 7.30am we headed into the hospital, few more niggles but nothing really that painful (I wanted to drive but my sister said no) I rang my boss and mum to give them an update, and messaged my wonderful new friend off here (she knows who she is) to let her know!
I wanted a water birth, so it was agreed that my waters would be broken and then we would see what my body was doing. If nothing after 2 hours I was to be hooked up to a drip etc.
At 8.30 they started doing the cannula and I had a few ouchy pains, but I was actually still having a laugh and talking to people on the phone (yes crazy woman I am but I had to keep my mum updated - she told us to call when anything major happened). 9 am they did an internal to break my waters and shockingly told me I was 8cm dilated!!! Unfortunately my waters were meconium stained so paeds were called and put on notice. Things started to ramp up from here, but surprisingly I was still chatting away and messaging people. At 9.20 I was told to roll onto my side as they were losing his heart rate, and this is when things did get a lot more painful (I had gas on standby and used it a little bit just to take the edge off - and my poor sisters fingers were going purple)
9.55 I was told they had lost his heart rate again and they needed to put a clip on his head so back onto my back I went. My midwife laughed as when I rolled back she said well no wonder we cant get his heartrate, there is his head. I said I needed to poo (and then laughed as I knew I needed to push - I sent my student midwife running, as I had said she could deliver him under the guidance of my midwife). The paeds team were called and after 8 mins of pushing I had my gorgeous man on my chest. He started crying straight away so the paeds team left again and I was allowed to snuggle!
So at 10.15 I rang my mum, told her he was here. She started laughing and until she heard him cry she didnt believe us! I messaged my boss and PIG and then rang my daughter to let her know. We organised for them to come up at 12pm so I had a bit of time to do what I needed to.
So the stats according to discharge are:
Time labour established - 6am 8/8/2012 (that was my first real ouchy pain at home)
Amniotomy performed - 9am 8/8/2012
Stage 2 onset - 10am 8/8/2012
Placenta delivered - 10.26am 8/8/2012
AGPAR 1min/5min - 9
Jacob Louis Harrison
10.08am 8th August 2012
3.25kg (7lb 1oz)
49cm long
36cm head circ
I arrived at the hospital at 8am, had a baby at 10.08am and was home by 4pm! Such an awesome day and wonderful experience. I even said I would go back for a 3rd if the labour was like that! I had a great team at the Gosford Hospital, Rikki-Lee (my group midwifery practice midwife), Jess (my student midwife), Dr Louis (head OB, and no Jacob isnt named after him, thats just a coincidence).
If you got this far - congratulations (and sorry for my ramble)
