My Gastroschisis Miracle Birth (long)

Many of you know my story, you can find it in medical conditions called Gastroschisis Update.

Here's the birth in more detail.

10 days before my C/S I was told that I had to have it.
Bubby's growth had slowed down alot more.
Already suffering from low fluid, placental insufficiency and bubs IUGR, the C/S was a wise decision.

So, at 34+1 weeks DP and I went into the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne at 6.30am knowing that I would be first in theatre because bub had to be taken to the Childrens so she could have surgery as soon as she was stabilised. She had gastroschisis meaning that her bowels were outside of her body.

After going through all the normal stuff such as removing my nail polish and getting naked and into a gown that didn't do up at the back, listening to bubbys heartbeat and all that stuff, DP and I were taken to another waiting room. Another couple were with us as she was due to have her C/S straight after me.

They wanted to deliver my bub first because they had to make the theatre latex free because of my allergy.

After being told that I would be taken in in 5 minutes, a call was recieved from the Childrens.... They had no bed for my baby. It was 8.30am and I had to wait another 2 hours for my C/S.

At 10.10am I was taken into that little room outside of theatre so I could have my drip put in. Theatre still wasn't ready so I had to wait a few minutes til it was.
I couldn't have DP with me at this stage.

I was taken in and sat on the bed and had my blood pressure cuff put on. My BP was a big high and I was shaking big time! The staff kept saying that it must be cause I was cold and I had a heated blanked put on me. I just kept saying "It just cause I'm so nervous!!".

There was a big discussion between people about what they were delivering... Was Gastroschisis the one with the membrane, or the free bowels?? I set them straight!! lol. Free bowels, I kept saying!!

The anaesthetic guy was so awesome. He talked non stop from the minute he put my drip in til I was in recovery!! It got my mind off alot of things, so it was so good.

They put freezing liquid on my back and then a plastic sheet and then the spinal block.
I barely felt the needle, just a slight sting.

I felt a warmth go down to my feet and I just kept saying "I don't like this feeling. I don't like it. I don't like it!"
They layed me back and put the catheter in. It hurt a little bit.....

The anaesthetic guy rubbed ice on my body to see if I could feel it.

DP was finally let in at 10.30am. I had been asking for him alot, aparently!

They put the curtain up and they shaved me! I thought I'd done a decent job, but they cut alot lower than I thought they would.

The operation began! I could feel heaps of pulling and tugging and like someone sitting on me, just below my chest which I was warned about.

I must of asked a hundred times, is it out??
The anaesthetic guy said that when I hear a noise like a coffee machine that means that the amniotic fluid is being sucked out and that means we're close.

Sure enough, thats exactly what it sounded like! Then.... "Oh dear, we've got a bottom here!" .... They didn't know bub was in breech. I felt enormous pressure on my stomach as they pushed her down so they could pull her out. Feet first according to the pictures!

It was weird, the weirdest feeling of when the baby leaves your stomach. Its amazing.
I heard the tiniest little noise. Like a tiny kittens meow. I started weeping.
We'd be told a few times that bub wouldn't survive and I knew at the instant that she'd be OK. I got teary.

It seemed like an eternity, they were obviously getting her bowels organised, then all of a sudden a blur appeared above the screen "hi mum!" said the doctor and they wisked her away to a table to work on her. DP was allowed to go see her being wrapped up in glad wrap and bubby was making lots of noise!!

"Well!! What is it??"

"What is IT!!"

........*shocked voice from DP* ... "its a girl!"

me- WHAT!!?!?

Everyone laughed at me because I'd made it quite clear that it was going to be a boy.

I was extremely surprised when all of a sudden Hannah Marie was placed on my should. I stroked her face and one of the nurses even took pics of us 3 and of DP and Hannah.
It was probably well over 5 minutes when a nurse came up to me and started apologizing.

"I"m so sorry, but she has to go now. I'm so sorry". It was heartbreaking. Quick kiss to DD and DP and off they went.

NETS (Newborn Emergency Transfer Service) bought her into my room before taking her to the Childrens and I didn't see her again for 24 hours when DP stuck me in a wheelchair and wheeled me to the Childrens.

I know I'd had a baby, but I think the Womens could have been a bit more considerate.
They stuck me in maternity, sharing a room who's baby screamed all night.
I bawled and bawled and bawled all night.

Thats my story.
Was off all medication except panadol after 48 hours, too!! :-)

Thats my miracle baby.

Congrats on your little girl and thanks for sharing your story. Hope your little girl's surgery went well. How is she doing now?

Thanks for sharing your story, glad all going well now!

thank you for sharing your story!

Huge congrats huni. Im so glad all is ok. I hope your recovering well and that Hannah is doing well xox

Congratulations on the Birth of Baby Hannah :) How awful for you to be in a room with another Mum & bub when your baby wasn't with you :( I had my babes at Royal women's in Bris and I had a private room, still on maternity, but a little bit away.. How is little Hannah doing? Thinking of you :)

congratulations on your beautiful little girl, and what a lovely name!!!

Hannah is doing incredibly well. She was able to come home at 6 and half weeks old.
She had her gastroschisis repaired the same day she was born, she has no scar at all. It turns out it was all of her small intestine and part of her large.
Ventilated for 3 days
She started feeds at 5 days old, half a ml every 2 hours and then increased from there.
She only started oral feeding at 5 weeks only, and breastfeeding at 6 weeks old.
She was born at 1.698 kilos and now weighs 2.540.
I'm recovering OK. Had no pain at all.

More appointments to come. GPs, OBs, Surgeons, Physio, Cardiology, Audiology, Hip Ultrasound, Paeds. And thats all within 2 months!

It was horrible being in a room with someone else, I would have thought they could have used their brains and thought "Hmmm, maybe this girl doesn't want to be in a room with someone else!".
I had this major weird dr come in, I think on day 2, to talk about contreceptives.
He comes in and looks around and says "Have you had a baby??"
"Yes"
"Is it....in the nursery?"
"At the childrens"
"Oh, was it early?"
"She had gastroschisis."
"Oh right!! I know who you are now!!"

Wow.... thanks. My child's birth defect was the only thing identifying me....

:-)

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I'm sorry you were treated so inconsiderately after birth. A single room may not have been available but an apology would have been free.

Thank you for sharing your story... and so glad that your little girl is doing so well!

What a beautiful birth story - thank you for sharing. How is your miracle girl going now?

Thank you for sharing, fantastic to hear she is going so well now.

Thankyou for sharing :)

So pleased to hear she is doing so well :D

Congratulations :D

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing birth.
So glad to hear little Hannah is doing well now.
I can't believe they put you in a shared ward!
I was fortunate with my two tiny prems to get a private room, i can't image how hard it was for you :hug:

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's good to read that your little girl is doing well. I wish you all the best for the future and please keep us updated on Hannah's progress. :)

So glad to hear your little one is doing well, I have been wondering about you after your posts in Premmie Mums.
She sounds like a fighter, happy she is home with Mum & Dad where she belongs

Well done Charlotte and welcome to little Hannah Marie. How is she going now?? Hope everything went well :hug:

First of all congratulations on the birth of Hannah and well done... hope your all doing well :)

Hannah seems to be going OK.... except for last night!!

I have a distressing issue. I don't hear her wake up. Its really upsetting me. I'm a heavy sleeper.

I woke up at 4.15am with DP throwing himself out of bed nearly in tears. Apparently DD had been awake from 1.15am.
He'd fed her, changed her nappy 5 times, and she still wouldn't sleep.

I think she may have just been hot. Its 6am now and she's just nodded off.

The joys of parenthood.

Congratulations on the birth of Hannah and how fantastic that she is doing so well.

As for waking to her, all these things take time. As does everything that comes with being a new mother. Go easy in yourself, your probably exhausted! You need that sleep! X

Wow what a time Im so glad she doing well and is at home where she belongs