The strangest day of my life!
Hi Everyone,
I never thought I would post my birth story but I think this story has to be told.
Ok, so my birth plan was elective C/S. Right from the day DH and I decided that we were going to TTC I knew I wanted a C/S. For many reasons I knew that VB was not for me and that an elective C/S was. (I'm not going to discuss my reasons here. So pls, no C/S debate or lecture is wanted). The date for bub's arrival was set for June 11 - 38w4d...... bub (Aidan) had different ideas.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, about 1:15am I awoke (as I usually do) and go to the loo. So I did and then went back to bed. I had some trouble getting back to sleep (I usually do) and after tossing and turning for about 25mins my hips started to feel sore. My DH was about an hour away staying overnight as he'd been at a buck's party. I sent him a txt letting him know I was up if he wanted to chat. We had a quick chat and he went to bed. Meanwhile my hips were getting more and more painful. I was having trouble lying down and walking made it feel better. So I got up for a while. After half and hour or so of this I decided to ring my hospital and get some advice. I was not at all concerned really.... I was 35w1d pg and I'd had a growth and devleopment scan 2 days before - bub was all good, head not engaged, everything perfect. The midwife suggested a heat pack and panadol and to call back in an hour if it didn't improve. Do you think I could find and panadol or a heat pack?.... no. I called my DH (he was ALWAYS using that heat pack......) he had no idea where it was (of course). I found some panadeine so I called the midwife to see if I could take that. She suggested that I come in and get checked out.
I quickly threw some clothes into a suitcase (just in case) and got dressed. I stopped at the loo on the way out the door and there was a tiny bit of bright red blood..... I knew then that something was going on. The hosp was about 15mins away. As I was driving the pains were definitely coming in waves - extending from hip to hip and very low down. The pain was not excrutiating but was certainly not nothing.... this must be early labour?
I arrived safely at the hospital (I think about 4-5 contractions in the car). The midwife examined me and said that she thought the baby was well on the way! My response.... "I'm not pushing this out, I'm having a C/S so can we get that organized pls." Her response..... "Sorry love but I don't think you're going to be able to". My respone....... " I REALLY want one" Her response - "We'll wait for the OB and see what she says" I phoned my DH and told him to come home as bubs was coming. Another midwife came in and examined me then and told me that "bub had black hair" and that there was no way I could have a C/S. I didn't panic, just sucked on some gas and waited for the OB. When the OB finally arrived she said it was way to dangerous to attempt a C/S with bub nearly out so I was going to have to have a VB. My response...."OK then, whatever's safe". As I've learnt before I'm very calm in a crisis.
So after about 20mins of pushing Aidan was born - 5:24am. He had a beautiful loud cry and I got a short cuddle before he was taken away to be looked at by the paediatrician. He was 2.42kg (approx 5lb6oz) and 48cm long with a beautiful head of black hair. I ended up with one small internal stitch. DH finally arrived at about 5:45am.
So there you have it. We were totally the talking point of the hospital - "she drove herself in fully dilated and he was away at a buck's party". I've been undeservedly crowned a "legend". My OB told me that in her 18 years of obstetric practice she has never had anyone have happen to me what I've had happen.
So that's my story. I think things worked out for the best in the end. Cos I had a VB I was able to walk around straight away and so have been able to visit my little man in special care as often as I want to. It was a shame DH missed our son's first cry but at the end of the day I had the most wonderful midwives and OB it was a very comfortable womanly environment. I feel a little bit sheepish about the whole thing too. I had a grand total of 3hrs 40mins labour (I'd say at least 2 hours of which I didn't even know was labour) and ended up having an extremely easy VB with no pain relief. My advice to those thinking about their big day and their VB....... don't over analyze and over prepare. Just go with the flow, you're body is going to have a mind of its own. Sometimes ignorance and denial are best!