Hi all,
Been wrapped up in the world of cuteness and cuddles so havent had chance to sit down and write my birth story so here goes:
We went to the hospital at 10am on Monday morning in order to get checked out for the induction to happen. Got put into my own room and the midwife came in around 10.45 to check if my cervix had opened at all after not being open at all on thursday for my sweep. Good news as the midwife told me I was two centimetres which was unexpected and I wouldn't need the pessary to be put in! She then told us that I should be able to have my waters broken and it was just a case of waiting for a room on the labour ward. She also told me that I would need to stay in the hospital seeing as I was term + 13 and things might not get moving until Tuesday depending on how busy the hospital was.
So we waited around in the room for a bit and I had my obs taken at 12.30 to be told that everything was fine and lunch was on the way. Had my lunch and my and DP thought we would go for a walk around the park across the road for something to do. We got back into the hospital at around half 3 and started to wait. My mum called to see if she could visit so DP went home at around 6 and she came to visit me at half 7 with my sister. DP came back and we sat around talking for a bit. Mum and sister went home and told me to keep them updated. We went back upto my room and DP had been told that he had to leave at 9. A new midwife came in and told us to get some rest as it probably wouldn't be until the early morning at least when I would get taken down onto labour ward. DP set off to go get some sleep and left me to try and settle down.
DP left the room at 9.06 and at 9.15 the midwife came in saying "o no has he gone? you are going down to labour ward now!" So i phoned him up hoping to catch him before he got into the car. Luckily he hadn't set off so I told him to hike back up to meet us downstairs. We met up and got taken into the consultant let delivery suite and met the midwives who were going to be taking care of me. I had a consultant and a student midwife in the room with me and I asked for my case loading student to be contacted so that she would be able to come in for the birth.
I had my waters broken at 10.10 and was told that I would need to be monitored for an hour to see if my contractions would get any stronger. If they didn't I would need the drip putting in. Seeing as my BH were feeling quite tight, they were measuring on the monitor at 3 every 10 mins but I was having no pains.
At 11.10 I was examined again to find I was 3 centimeters and my contractions were getting a little bit more intense. This was good so I was told i would be monitored again at 2.10 and I should try and keep moving around. I was hooked onto the monitor for most of the time so it was hard to get out of bed but I was getting so uncomfy. I had to be hooked up as they were finding it really hard to keep the babies heart beat on the monitor. She was really sleepy and it wasn't as fast as they would have liked it to be.
The contractions started to get a bit more intense and I was offered gas and air. I didn't really want to have it because I thought I was wimping out by choosing to have pain relief so early on. But the midwife said it was normal and I was doing exceptionally well already seeing as I had been induced. So i thought why not give the G&A a try. It went straight to my head and made me feel funny but it helped with the pain. I decided that it was my new best friend.
The midwife asked if I would like to have a bath and I could take my G&A with me so I said ok I will. Got into the bath and it helped a little bit (mainly made me feel clean after having waters broken). Didn't stay in their long as the contractions were getting stronger so I headed back onto the bed and got hooked back onto the machine. My contractions were stronger and i was getting 3 - 4 every 10 mins.
At 2.10 I was hoping that I was progressing but had a feeling that nothing was moving on. Luckily I was 5cm when examined and it was moving really fast. My student midwife got called and was told to come in so she could help look after me. I dont really remember much more after that seeing as the G&A was really having an effect. I do remember thinking that I couldn't cope with the pain and I wanted some pethadine. The consultant midwife came in and told me seeing as baby was already so sleepy it wasn't the best time for me to have the pethadine! I called her mean!
Things get very hazy from here on and all I know is what I have been told. Apparently the G&A was sending me a bit loopy and I told the midwives I thought they were at a cooker, started singing a nursery rhyme to DP (This is the house that Jack built) and I was having a conversation with myself about a maths exam that needed photocopying and the people who I needed it for! Can't remember any of this myself but apparently it was quite funny to watch!
As it got closer to half 6 (when I would be next examined) I drifted in and out of sleep inbetween my contractions and to me i was in and out of consciousness as I really dont remember anything!
Half 6 came and I was nearly at 10 cms so it was nearly time to start pushing. All three midwives were in the room and I was told that I should only push when they told me to - not when I wanted (which was now as it helped the pain!). I wasn't doing as I was told so the consultant midwife took the G&A off me and told me I wasn't allowed it any more - I was very upset that I had lost my friend! I remember getting really hot and DP had to cool me down with a cold towel!
The pushing stage lasted an hour and I got to feel her head coming out as I thought nothing was moving along. At 7.25 Maisie was born and DP cut the very large cord and she was put straight onto my chest. The placenta was delivered normally and everything was fine. I was examined and didn't need stitches just had a couple of grazes that should heal within a couple of days.
Maisie went straight for my boobs and started to feel straight away and was on for a good hour at least. She got cleaned up while I went in the bath and she cuddled up with DP and nodded off to sleep.
We got moved up onto the post natal ward at 10.30 and I slept for about half an hour. Not wanting to stay on the ward for long, when the midwife asked how long we wanted to stay for we asked if we would be able to go home asap. She said as long as breastfeeding was established and everything was fine we should be home that same day.
2pm and we were allowed to go home so within only 7 hours of giving birth I was wrapping her up and taking my little baby home! I was amazed (and so were the midwives) at the speed of delivery and at how fast I was allowed home.
She has been sleeping loads and I'm just a little concerned that she appears to only have had one wet nappy so far but I'm going to bring that up with the midwife this afternoon!
I'm so happy that the waiting is over and I have this wonderful little baby that is totally dependant on me!!
Sorry that the post is so long but I wanted to remember everything!!