Miss K's birth story

After 3.5 years of ttc and on our second attempt of IVF, DH & I were blessed to be pg with our second child. Given my past history of m/c, we were overly cautious and decided to only tell my immediate family (as they knew we were undergoing IVF treatment).

We had an early scan at approx. 7 weeks, which showed a baby with a hb. I then booked into the local private hospital and the OBS I previously had with DD. Our appt. wouldn't be until I was approx. 14 weeks and I was also due to have another scan then. All was progressing well.

At the OBS appt. he asked whether I was having a VBAC or considering an elective c-sect (DD #1 was an emerg. c-sect). We went through my last birth notes and OBS said there was no reason for an elective c-sect and was more than happy to support me with a VBAC. I questioned whether or not I would be as supported at the hospital I had booked into, which OBS said I would and told me they had a 70% success rate of VBAC, which I was happy about. OBS also told me I would have no time restrictions on me once I was in labour and come into hospital. I would however need monitoring and a canula would be put in fairly quickly after I arrived - all which I was ok about as long as I wasn't stuck on the bed in labour.

My 20 week scan rolled around and the sonographer picked up that I had a low-lying placenta and would need another scan later on in pg, approx. 32 weeks to see what was happening. OBS said he'd like to wait until 34 weeks, at which showed my placenta had moved away nicely and all was on for my VBAC.

I continued doing yoga and seeing my chiropractor throughout my pg as well as listening to my hypnobirthing CD, sipping RLT & taking EPO (later in pg).

39 weeks rolled around and my DH had flown out to QLD for his sisters wedding. He was nervous I would go into labour whilst away but I assured him that the new moon wasn't due until Monday and I was fairly confident that nothing would happen. Apart from some Braxton Hicks I had no other pre labour signs.

Monday and Tuesday night of that week I felt a little 'off' and kept waking at around 4 am and not being able to get sleep. I had an urge to clean my house on Monday as well as some random cleaning such as the exhaust fan in the ensuite but not really any 'nesting', probably due to me doing a whole heap of cleaning and jobs when I commenced maternity leave.

Wednesday morning (Halloween) was the same again woke early and just decided to get up just after DH left for work. I then felt really tired and climbed back into bed about 6.45am. I was lying in bed and then I heard and felt this 'pop' and for a second I questioned what it was then felt a slight trickle, which made me fly out of bed and race to the ensuite only to have my membranes rupture all over the floor. I clapped with excitement then popped a pad on & cleaned up the floor. I then called DH to tell him what happened but told him to stay at work b/c nothing was happening. I phoned the hospital who told me to come in so they could pop on the monitors and check my waters (clear and no smell).

As I had my DD who also needed to go to kinder, I tried calling my mum only for it to keep going to message bank. Whilst waiting for her to call me back I made DD breakfast, cleaned up, got us both dressed, put my bags in the car then decided to call my sister since mum hadn't called back. By this time it was about 8.30am and we all headed off to hospital (only 5 mins down the road). Monitors were put on in hospital and the midwife checked my pad, urine, blood pressure which was all ok. My sister took DD to kinder then come back. I was suppose to have an OBS appt but he told me not to bother to see him, he was happy with what the hospital said and told me to only come back to the hospital if my waters changed colour, smell or I started having regular contractions. Otherwise I was to come back to hospital early the next day.

Back at home I decided to listen to my hypnobirthing CD and just rest. I picked up my DD from kinder at 1.30pm and just lounged on the couch and watched crappy daytime t.v. as I wasn't sure if anything was going to happen but wanted to be rested in case it did.

DH come home from work at about 3.30pm and we all ate dinner at about 6pm. During dinner I got some ouchy contractions but they were very irregular.

By 9.30pm I decided to go to bed in case anything happened, with DH coming to bed not long after. That is when I started to get some more ouchy contractions, which started coming more regularly. I was a bit uncomfortable in bed and I kept going to the sit on the toilet as my waters kept gushing and filling my pad. By 10.30pm I was staying in the ensuite either on the toilet or standing over the vanity swaying from side to side. I have no idea how quickly the contractions were coming but I know they were regular and intense. I tried to breathe and remember my hypnobirthing CD and telling myself it is all good, baby is on it's way but the contractions were so intense and running from my back down the front of my thighs (that is where they hurt the most). DH asked if I wanted to call my mum at about 11.15pm but I said no it's too soon, by midnight he asked again & I agreed. Mum was on her way and he called the hospital to let them know what was happening. I could hear him on the phone to the midwife during a contraction and she asked to speak to me. I could talk to her & tell her what was going on. I had to put the phone down mid sentence to concentrate through a contraction. Midwife told DH to bring me in.

Mum arrived about 12.30am whilst I was having a contraction. During the break I started walking to the car only to be hit with another one prior to hoping in the car. Throughout the car trip to the hospital I was getting regular contractions with DH telling me to breathe and try to relax...!

Arrived at hospital only to have a few more whilst walking to the birthing suite and was met part of the way by the midwife.

Once we arrived I got hooked up to the monitor and met another midwife who we happened to have when I laboured with DD # 1 over 5 years ago!

The whole time I was being monitored the midwife was scribbling furiously on the information being output by the monitors. All I could read was 'distress' and the monitors kept going off, although the midwife assured me it wasn't bubs it was me setting the monitors off (I can't remember why I was setting the monitors off).

I do recall the midwife telling me to 'blow' my contractions away as I was quite vocal and she thought this may help bubs to become happier. I tried moving around in different positions but was in too much pain.

Midwife was sure I would be having bubs very soon & she mentioned that she finished her shift at 2am and she would like to help deliver bubs. I wasn't convinced given I was chatting during contractions & mentioned this to her.

At one point I asked if I could have a shower but the midwife wasn't keen for me to hop in as bubs 'was not happy'.

OBS was called in & he arrived around 1.15am (?) and he & the midwife left the room for a chat.

Around 2am OBS come back in the room & I knew that this baby was not happy still given his expression. He looked so sad for me that my VBAC was not going to eventuate but all I could think of was meeting my baby & knew that it would be a repeat c-sect. OBS got the paperwork for my consent and I was told the anethetist (sp?) was on his way as well as other surgical staff being called in. I was prepared for theatre and was explained risks for the spinal tap.

Original midwife handed over to the next midwife & I asked if I could have bubs in recovery with me & it was agreed.

Miss K was born at 2.45am weighing a hefty 8ld 10 oz (DD# 1 was 7ld 5 oz) & 50 cms long & let out an almighty cry once she was out (relief for me!) OBS said cord was twirled around the side of her head & was being compressed by the contractions. Midwife confirmed cord was compressed in parts.

I did have some retained membranes & placenta which is highly unusual for a c-sect but haven't had any problems to date.

I will be seeing OBS in approx. 3 weeks time & will go over my labour with him.

Sorry for the novel!

Leaving us hanging haha! Can't wait for the rest :)

Tell me more!!!!!

Waiting in anticipation!

totally leaving us hanging here RCC :rofl:

loving it!!

Can't wait for the ending!!! :)

Leaving us all in suspense RCC!!! :)

Waiting :p

Ohhh I keep checking and waiting .... :lol:

Im looking forward to reading the rest!!

Subbing for the next installment!

another cliffhanger!

Oh RCC! what a story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

That is full on how they could see the compression marks on her cord :o

Seems you did some pretty awesome baking with that gorgeous birth weight too :dance:

RCC you did awesome. I'm sorry that you didn't get your VBAC, but so glad that your precious Miss K is earthside. Thanks for your wonderful story.

Well done and an awesome outcome to have Miss K in your arms!

Fantastic!! I'm so happy for you xx

Oh RCC, you did such an amazing job! Congratulations again. This is one of the stories I've been waiting for xo