Patrick Daniel was born at 1022am on 22 May 2007.
A few days late, but I am recovered enough to post his birth story now.
I had a few niggly tummy cramps on 21 May late evening, went into labour properly at 4am on 22 May. Lasted 3 hours at home with TENS and birth ball then had a very bloody show, so went to hospital at 7am once mum had arrived to take DD to school.
They put a canula in as soon as I arrived (grr ? I argued against it, but they advised it was the best thing to do) on CTG for 20 mins. Then got up and moved around, which helped a lot. Used a bit of gas and air, and managed fine. My consultant examined me an hour later ? lots of blood, and only 2 cm dilated. We talked calmly about why there might be blood ? she was concerned that the scar might be under stress, or that the placenta was beginning to become detached. The pain was beginning to get much worse, and I felt I couldn?t relax with all the blood loss (baby?s trace was fine all the time). So I agreed to the c-section as best course of action ? I felt absolutely fine about the decision.
I had to wait for an emergency section that was already in theatre. So I continued with Gas and Air for the next hour. In the meantime, my waters broke, with heavy meconium, and the pains were very bad by that stage. They had to prise the Gas and air off me to be wheeled down to theatre. Had a general anesthetic as my platelet count was very low (98).
Patrick Daniel was born at 1022am, and apparently screamed the place down. His first apgar was only 5 ? so he needed oxygen and ventilation, but that soon came up to 9 at 5 and 10 at 10 minutes.
He weighed 3544g (7lb 13oz) and was 52cm long.
I was on the post-natal ward by 1200, and came round well from the general anesthetic. Had 2 days of hospital food, and other than terrible trapped wind and sexy surgical stockings, I am doing fine.