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Childbirth

Is this typical of a first birth experience? My story.

96 replies

MistressMary · 07/01/2005 23:26

Sorry in advance or to drone on, but want to know if this is what is classed as a typical first birth experience?

I was due for an induction later on the same day at ten days over. At 12.30am I woke up in pain, quickly waddled to the loo, and my waters broke, slightly pink in colour and then a pain similar to cystitis followed. Ten minutes later the same pain came again.

I rang up the maternity unit and the midwife told me to try and sleep and to come in in the morning. However, the contractions were coming every two in 10 minutes, so two hours later I rang back. I had a contraction while on the phone, which lasted about 30 seconds. The midwife told me I could ring back later on if I was concerned. At 5.30am I rang in again; the contractions were getting stronger and lasting slightly longer - I spent the night sat on the loo, with other half sleeping through it all!

Arriving at the hospital at 6am , I was checked over and found out I was 4cm dilated. So the birth pool was filled and in I got, lovely, music, spinning disco ball and calm. I had to get out as I needed to poo! And that's how I felt for the duration. Most of the morning, I was sat on the loo, with my gas and air getting high!

The midwife examined me at 10am and I was fully dilated! But then she found a small part of my cervix lip which was in the way of the baby's head. So I was put onto my left side, contracting every three in 10 minutes! The urge to push was unbearable. She checked again at midday - still the cervix was in the way, just a fraction! Then she said she could see a head full of hair, but I couldn't push as I wasn't ready for the second stage. The contractions were awful and I was screaming the place out!

At 1.30pm two other midwives came to examine me and a decision was made for a transfer to Bath hospital. I was gutted. She said if I had the baby in the ambulance on the way I could turn around and come back to Trowbridge hospital! So in the ambulance with the midwife I got, screaming all the way, gas and air useless now. Wheeled into a delivery suite, I was examined again and put on a monitor. The contractions had slowed right down and so had JJ's heartbeat. We were both tired.

A drip was put into my arm to speed the contractions up, no pain relief was offered - I asked them, believe me, but it was too late! Wow, they came in powerful and close straight away. I was told to push, as I was fully dilated. The baby was face up, though, back to back, which hindered things. A doctor was called with two other midwives and the stirrups were put in place. Out came the ventouse, which they tried unsuccesfully for three times! I was swearing at them, 'What the feck do think you're doing?' It was the most awful pain!

I was pushing like mad and no result. So then they got those forceps out. I was crying and I just wanted it over and they were telling me that it had to be now! The midwife also performed a cut on my perineum. After a few good pushes and lots and lots of support JJ arrived at 4.25pm, face up and cord wrapped around neck once, weighing 8lb 4ozs.

The midwife wouldn't tell me how many stitches I had - she called it a running stitch. I know it was very sore. After staying one night in Bath, we were allowed to go back to Trowbridge. My partner had to take me and JJ - this is the policy. I stayed there for nearly a week and was really looked after there.

Thanks if you got that far, any thoughts?

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lockets · 07/01/2005 23:32

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lockets · 07/01/2005 23:32

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Discoinferno · 07/01/2005 23:33

MM I had a cs with my children so can't comment, but didn't want to read without responding in some way. IMO that sounds like a very testing time and would think it dosn't sound like an everyday story.