Cameron's Arrival 22/08/07
Cameron was born on august 22nd at 16:01 hrs.
I had been getting sporadic contractions for about a week, but they would start and stop without really getting anywhere.
My blood pressure in the last few weeks of my pregnancy had been unstable, ranging from normal to high but fortunately I was clear of any signs of pre-enclampsia but my obstetrician was concerned by the irregularity of my blood pressure.
My final appointment with my obstetrician was when I was 40wks 2days pregnant. I was in a lot of discomfort and my blood pressure was raised, and he was not happy for me to wait any longer and the decision was made to induce the pregnancy.
I went into hospital to be induced, but unfortunately it was not successful due to my cervix not opening and complicated by my blood pressure rising.
The decision was then made to go ahead with a caesarean section because I was making no progress and my blood pressure was just too unstable. About an hour before I was due to go to theatre my waters broke, and were stained very heavily with meconium , this again cemented the need for a caesarean section in everyone’s minds.
I started contracting once the waters broke, and was glad for the relief bought on by the spinal. In my birth plan the idea was to avoid an epidural at all costs, but I can quite honestly say it was just the best thing in the world, being able to feel the contractions but not experience the pain. If I ever do this again I will demand an epidural upon arriving at the maternity unit!!
The caesarean went according to plan, although Obsterician said that although Cameron was engaged he was positioned in a way that meant he would have never come out vaginally, he was stuck which explained why he was in distress.
Things took a turn for the worse as Cameron was pulled out, he was not breathing and was very limp. He was taken over to the paediatrician, and needed to be ventilated and a lot of meconium was suctioned out of his mouth. Once they were happy he was stable and breathing, they placed him on my chest but he started to make a funny noise and he had to go back to the paediatrician for more treatment.
Cameron ended up suffering from toxic build up caused by not breathing and also from the ingestion of meconium, and had to stay in the nursery over night to have oxygen therapy and ensure his condition stabilised and improved.
It was hard for me and Jamie to not have Cameron with us for the first night, although I was taken to see him in the nursery but I could not hold him. I was able to touch him but he quickly became distressed and we had to leave him alone.
At 8 am the next day Cameron was bought to us, as he had completely recovered from his very stressful arrival into the world.
Since his birth he has had a UTI (at 2 weeks old!), but thankfully there was no cause for it...it was just a freak occurrance.
We are also struggling with breastfeeding. Every day is a test because I don't know how he is going to be on the nipple and I don't know what my flow is going to be like. I have issues with engorged breasts and fast flow and letdown, and find feeding times to be stressful rather than relaxing. I take it one day at a time!!
Anyway , thats our story (slightly late in posting) but motherhood has been rather a challenge!!! (but a joy too!!)
