Hello all, some have been asking about induction so thought I'd post my very postive experience here. I went in on Monday 13th to be induced, had first prostin pessary at about 10am. They put me on the CTG and baby moving fine but no real signs of labour. Then six hours before the next dose..spent reading, walking, eating chocolate
At 4pm they checked the baby again and gave the second prostin, and a good sweep by the MW. Was practising my birth breathing as quite painful but impressed myself by going completely limp..started to think I might be able to cope later
At 6pm they moved me up to the antenatal ward (from day unit) and I had dinner. By this point, I had mild to moderate contractions every 3-4 mins. MW came to see me about 6.30 and I asked her waht next..she replied ..'well we just wait to see if labour starts'. . Half an hour later decided I'd had enough of not being taken seriously, so stuck my bum in the air on the bed and cried. Cue rush of staff, wheelchair, speedy rushing to labour ward and delivery room..as they left I stood up and said 'well that worked, didn't it!'. DH and my sister couldn't stop laughing, they'd been really worried.
Lovely MW arrived, I was about 4cm dilated, and I asked for waterbirth, she said I couldn't as I had been induced. Was about to have hissy fit number two when she offered a compromise of deep hot bath, I was concerned about staying kneeling as I was really comfortable so she put some towels around so I could kneel and rest my head. For the next hour or so I knelt in the bath, sister poured hot water down my back and I had some G&A and lovely deep breathing. It was surprisingly pleasurable, although the contractions were unbelievably close together. At one point I said to DH 'I'm going to call her Claire'. Cue upset DH - we had already agreed on Amelia - 'what are you talking about??!!' I (apparently) continued 'Not the baby - the canister of gas and air...I love her..'
I started to feel a weird grunting at the end of each contraction, so sent DH to the MW to tell her I was in transition (he was mystified..). We moved back into the delivery room and she went to break my waters..by this point the pain was manageable, but I was worried it would get worse, and that I would only be 6cm dilated..she had a look, and said 'Oh - your waters have gone already! And it's about time to push!'
Got into my nightie, wanted to sit up and push holding legs so went with that. MW told me she needed to take the G&A away so I could push..I pleaded not to..'I promise I'll push my hardest..!' so my sister held the G&A for me, I took some deep breaths and pushed her out..in about 10 mins, 8 or 10 really good pushes. Crowning was very sore but pushing felt surprisingly good, and once the head came out the relief was immense, and the body just plopped out. They delivered her onto my tummy and we looked at each other for a bit, then they wrapped her in a towel and DH cuddled her while I waited for the placenta. Whilst he was staring into her eyes she did a massive black poo all down him - seriously, he will have to throw those clothes away - my sister and I could not stop laughing.
So Amelia Charlotte arrived, 7lb14, at 9.59 pm, one small tear as she had her hand up by her face. My first birth was traumatic, horrific and long and I thought I would never get rid of the nightmarish memories. I feel completely healed by having the birth I wanted, and totally in shock that I managed to stay in control. I am overwhelmed and so in love with this little girl, for just being herself but also for helping me get over the most awful thing that has ever happened to me...I still can't quite believe it.