On Thursday morning, 2nd October, star6 welcomed baby Quinlan to the world 36 hours of labour total and an extended stay in the hospital but we are now home and very happy!
Thanks SO much to all MNers who have helped me with answers to questions throughout my pregnancy. MN has been a godsend.
Birth story: Waters broke tuesday evening. Started having contractions about an hour later. Went in to hospital and spoke with midwife who did GBS test and told me to go home until contractions were worse. Contractions got worse, went in again and had internal exam (my worst nightmare... very painful for me). Only 1 cm dilated. Sent home. Contractions stronger and closer together- called hospital and said I couldn't bear to be sent home again, contractions unbearable and wanted to be admitted to delivery area, not midwife led unit (needed drugs!). Spent the next day/night in delivery room - went through 3 different midwives (going through shifts). Had pethadine for a bit which allowed two hours of rest... FINALLY got epidural I'd been begging for since the beginning after 29 hours of labour... they only gave it to me because internal exams were causing me so much distress. Epidural was bliss and allowed for some sleep then time to push! Pushed for an hour and only felt pressure, not pain, but was very hard work! For next hour, epidural wore off and they would not top up!!!
Unbearable and pushing and pushing and finally doctors came in and said they would have to help with forceps or vontouse. Went with vontouse as baby was not progressing well and had been a long time pushing and a long time since waters broke. Gave me a local anaesthetic but still felt a sting as they cut episiotomy. Vontouse was quite intense... had midwife, DH, pediatrician, 2 doctors (and a STUDENT WATCHING)in room all of a sudden and was very chaotic and scary. Vontouse kept slipping off baby's head so they had to get another type of vontouse to use. That one finally worked after lots of me pushing and them pulling. Baby finally came out and he felt enormous!
But... once I saw him, I didn't care about the dr stitching me up... didn't care about anything except my beautiful gorgeous little boy!!!
I love him so much. I didn't know that love like this existed. He is the most gorgeous little boy in the whole world.
Well... I've been scared of childbirth for a very long time and I must admit... it was definitely as horrifying as I thought it would be. But the end result is definitely worth it.