Now that I am at home and over the trauma of being in hospital, thought I'd formally announce the birth of my beautiful baby girl, and give you a quick run down of events, particularly aimed at any first timers that have to have a planned section.
We were told that because the baby was breech, the best outcome for her would be via a planned section. We arrived at hospital at 8am on Thursday 17th May 2007, absolutely petrified, not helped by the amount of fluid in my face making me look like a huge weeble. The midwife came in to see me, did bp etc, and told us we were first, and would be going into theatre at 9.30am. She brought me a gown (classy) and some equally spectacular support tights (of which I still have the marks on my thighs as they were so tight). Dh put his scrubs on, and off we went, hearts in mouths.
As Dh wasn't allowed into theatre as they administered the spinal, I just sat and rambled on to the anaesthetists assistant, who was lovely. It was marginally unnerving, but nowhere near as scary as I was expecting. To be honest, the drip going into my hand hurt more than the spinal going in. I did jump a bit when the needle went in my back, but managed to regain my composure for the second (successful) attempt. I was really worried beforehand about how I would feel about not being able to feel my legs, but it wasn't scary at all. They just went all warm and tingly, and then just felt really heavy.
Dh then came back in and the surgeon arrived. The first incision was made at 10.07am, and Alexa Paige was born at 10.11am, weighing 6lb 14oz. They showed her to me, which was just amazing, and then took her off to be cleaned up, but I could hear her crying, so knew all was well.
We were then wheeled off to recovery, where I had the first hold of my precious baby girl, and tried to get on with the breastfeeding thing. Dh was just enraptured by her, and still is. We were taken to the postnatal ward at 1.10pm, by which time I could move my legs and wiggle my toes.
I'll tell all about my experiences in hospital another time, I absolutely hated being in there. I had Alexa on Thursday and came home at 6pm on Saturday. I feel totally great now (apart from constantly checking whether she is breathing, and worrying about her all the time - which I hope is par for the course!), and am really glad I came home. I managed on only 4 paracetomol yesterday, and haven't taken any today.
Being at home is great, particularly as I can now log on and get support and reassurance from my fellow May 07 bunch. We've certainly been through a lot together, and long may the wonderful friendships we have developed continue.