short version Ruby Elizabeth born 13/03/10 at 6.39am, 8lb 2oz
Planned homebirth out of window, had ARM/meconium in waters/Synto/Epi/Forceps/3rd degree tear/MROP and iron level of 7!
long version
Planned homebirth went out of the window when I didn't go into labour at 40+14 so was admitted to hospital for induction on Thursday morning at 10am.
Was found to be 2cm dilated already so didn't need prostin, just needed to wait for labour room to become free for waters to be broken. Labour ward then went mad, no rooms free all day but could go in for ARM as late as 9pm. No free room at 9pm, mw said I could ask docs if I could go home overnight and come back at 6am to wait for free room. Docs never appeared so spent the night in a cold hospital bed having had nothing done at all Ward was FREEZING and the constant coming and going labouring ladies meant I had about 2 hours sleep
Finally got a free labour room at 8.45am Friday, waters were broken but meconium was present. Lovely mw said normally they'd start synto straight away but as I wanted as natural a birth as possible I had 4 hours to walk around and get contractions going, she would check baby's heartbeat every half hour but other than that we were left to it. 1pm still nothing, so started syntocin drip. This was turned up every half hour by 10ml, cx every 7 minutes by 30 ml and started G&A at 40ml. Managing well at 60ml but at 70ml (full whack) cx were coming every two minutes but lasting for about a minute with only 1 minute rest. G&A wasn't cutting it anymore.
This was about 7pm, and lovely mw suggested an epidural as I was still only 4cm dilated and there'd be at least another 6 hours to go She said that in natural labour I'd have managed without but the synto was another matter.
Being needlephobic this was my worst nightmare pre-labour, however I cried with relief when she offered - I'd thought about asking but had been SO adamant to DH before that I didn't want one that I thought he'd do the 'wait half an hour and see how you feel' thing that I'd told him to!!
Epi went in just 10 mins later - mw had never known anaesthetist be so quick to come in. We all agreed that if I wasn't 7cm by 10pm then I'd go for a C/S due to the meconium in the waters earlier, seeing as I had only dilated 2cm in 6 hours.
Obs came in at 10pm and I was 8cm, so we then agreed to see how I was at 2am, and then go to theatre if no further progress.
At 2am, cervix was 9 1/2cm so we decided to top up the epi at 3am, then let it wear off for an hour ready for pushing at 4am. So far, so good. Then it went tits up.
4am, started pushing. By now I was knackered, epi was wearing off and synto still at 70ml. Was in agony. Pushed until about 5.30am, tried leaning on back of bed but that didn't help pain or move baby. I just couldn't push any more. At 6am Obs came in but was called to theatre, he came back at about 6.20am and baby was not shifting at all. Was prepared for forceps delivery and given G&A back - amazing stuff! Got a bit hazy at this point. Felt bizarre pain, at the time didn't realise this was the forceps going in, until he told me to pant, then heard the cord was round baby's neck twice. Apparently she'd also been in a very odd position, and ventouse wouldn't have shifted her either, so I had very little chance on my own!
Next thing I know baby was born, apparently had skin to skin straight away, DH told me we had a girl (I was convinced she's be a boy) Then she was whisked away to the corner for checks etc, not crying but OK. Poor DH was a bit overwhelmed at this point me on the table and DD in the corner. Then there's an anaesthetist at my side asking me something about having a spinal for my operation and did I have any questions - yes, what was my operation for?! Turned out I'd got a third degree tear and retained placenta and needed to go to theatre, MW hadn't told me at that point because they weren't sure how bad it was and if I was actually going to theatre, but it was now apparent that I was, but DH and DD were in theatre and recovery with me. Was transferred to ward at about 9am, and DH stayed until end of visiting at 12pm. Was in hospital until Sunday night.
Anyway, after all of this I've got a lovely DD, 8lb 2oz Ruby Elizabeth, I'm back home and my stitches seem to be ok and not too painful. Staff at the hospital were fab and cannot fault them, they did their best to keep things as natural as possible but it just wasn't meant to be. Absolutely knackered but very philosophical about the birth - even if I'd gone into labour at home, I'd have either transferred when waters broke or towards the end of the first stage due to Ruby's awkward position. Lost a lot of blood so iron level has gone down to 7 from 13, but hopefully iron tablets/diet can sort that, MW didn't think I'd take up offer of blood transfusion!
Also, DH was fab (he's reading this over my shoulder) - for someone who was adamant he was staying at the head end, he spent a lot of time down the business end with my foot pressing on him, telling me to push and to keep going - without him I'd have probably given up long before I did He also sat and cuddled Ruby whilst I was being put back together by the doctors, and has seen far more blood and gore than either of us ever thought he would!
Never mind - she's lovely and was definitely worth it!