Oh my word he is keeping me busy!! I don't get a minute!! I've had to toss up between having a bath and coming on here to post! You guys won 
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In a brief sypnopsis - it went tits up lol! Well, not worse case scenario, but not ideal! Maybe don't read the birth bit if you haven't had your baby yet...!
I went in for monitoring thursday lunch time, and gave my contingency birth plan in . The midwife who I had seen a few times while going for monitoring agreed with me, that while what I was suggesting was not usual, it certainly wasn't crazy, or an unrealistic option. She got the consultant involved, and this involved me basically saying well, if you don't do it my way, I'm off home again, see ya! So yes, in true Detective style, I got my way. ARM then 24 hours to establish in labour, and prostin after that if no joy. Oh, and I'd be using the pool, and no CTG.
Was moved to labour ward about 4pm, in to a very swish room 
which allowed DP to stay with me throughout the process - not something I had asked for, but I had said if I was in pain and unsupported that I would be going home. I didn't feel that DP needed to be there unless I was struggling.
Anyway, all of the arguments and discussions were unnecessary! With in 10 minutes of the ARM, the tightenings I'd been having anyway got stronger, and closer. 2 hours later I was growling slightly a lot through them, and told DP I wanted the pool, and now.
By 8.30 I was in the pool. Everything was going well, happy baby, contractions were strong and regular. I started using the entonox. It went straight to my head - I was giggling like an idiot for the first few attempts! The pool seemed to help too - there was a definite relief when I got in.
By 9.30 I was feeling pressure, and could feel myself pushing a little with contractions. That was the bit when I started to panic, and was saying I couldn't do it, and what if I was still 1cm. I remember distinctly saying why the fuck didn't I just have an elective section! When listening to his heartrate, I could feel that it was just over my pubic bone - a classic sign that you are fully dilated and the head is low. I felt that I was nearly there, but my mind took over and was convincing myself that I hadn't done it last time, and couldn't do it this time.
Around 10-10.30pm I think I asked to be examined - had declined earlier - because I was at the point where I felt I couldn't cope any longer as the pain was stronger and stronger. She said I was fully dilated and the head was at +2 (very low, ready to deliver near enough. Then she said, oh wait, hang on, no, you're 3-4cm and the cervix is still fucking posterior. That was the point I truely lost it. If I'd been fully I'd of carried on. I demanded an epidural which there was zero resistance too... wonder why . By that point I was a soggy mess, my head was in the water over my ears, god knows what I was trying to do - wash my hair possibly?!
I got out the pool and in a crazed state staggered to a new room. Anaethetist came straight away, and put the epidural in very quickly. Well. It was SHIT! It didn't do anything. Except the urge to push was stronger and stronger, and the pain stronger and stronger! I think this was around 11pm by now, but times are rather hazy! CTG was put on once epidural in, and there was the initial bradycardia which often happens with an epidural. The Registrar came in, and asked to examine me. Surprise surprise I was fully dilated. This was about 11.15pm. I was pushing with contractions, but his heart rate continued to dip, and was slow to recover. I knew at that point he wasn't a happy baby anymore. I had an FBS, and his PH's were ok, so I continued to push for another 15 minutes, when it was decided to go to theatre for a trial of instrumental - or section :( I was past caring, and could hear his heartrate, and knew he needed to come out.
Went to theatre, had an epidural top up despite my protests that it WASN'T FUCKING WORKING and I was petrified that I would end up with my absolute worst case scenario - which was a GA section as with DS. I wanted a spinal, but the cocky arsed anaethetist insisted that I was fine with the top up. Anyway, he came out easily with forceps, 2 pulls and his head and body came with the second pull. He cried straight away, and I finally got the answer that I needed - and what I had suspected all along. He was tangled in his cord. It was around his body as well as his neck. From the very first CTG with the dips on movement, I just had this feeling that there was a cord involved somewhere. And I suspect the fact his cord was so tangled was why I didn't go in to labour despite all the false starts.
He looked shocked when he came out, but he didn't need any resuscitation. He looked and felt tiny from as soon as he was on me! When he was eventually weighed after I'd spent 2 hours trying to get him on the boob, he was 6lb12! Just 1 ounce higher than the growth scan I had at 39 weeks... hahaha! He is very long though, long, skinny, and scaly! Poor wee thing! He needs fattening up, he does look small for dates rather than just meant to be a smaller baby. He has absolutely massive hands and feet, his fingers are chubby as hell, and his toes are as long as fingers! He looks like no one! Not me, not his daddy, or his brother! But to me, he is perfect!
Everything since then has been a blur. I'm very very very sore from the episiotomy, and braved a look this morning. It is extremely bruised and swollen. One of the worst I have seen but not the absolute worst thank fuck. I am struggling to do anything at all. Feeding, moving, it all hurts to buggery. DP is currently out buying me arnica tablets and lavender oil. I've got an ice pack on my fanjo... which helps. But oh my god, it hurts!
I couldn't have stayed in hospital though. They are lucky I stayed as long as I did! I had been planning to come straight home, but thanks to the epidural and catheter, I was restricted somewhat! I demanded the catheter out at 8am, and stated I was going home by lunch! There was lots of faffing with his temperature as he kept getting cold. Yes, he was getting cold because he kept being unwrapped for feeding, and checks! They were taking his temp hourly, which was pointless because he was unwrapped so much he didn't have the bloody chance to warm up! I'm quite able to deal with a cold baby, thanks! And don't tell me I can't self discharge my own baby, because YES I CAN! Jeez. I ended up leaving at 3pm, minus discharge notes, and sent DP back for them in the evening. I just needed to be home, as I was so sore, and I needed my own comforts!
All in all, not what I wanted, but not my worst case scenario, and I got my lovely little boy here safely, and at the right time! I don't feel any disappointment over the birth, quite the opposite really. I am just made up that he came vaginally, and I didn't end up with another section.
Sorry for the epic post in true Detective style!
Going to attempt to graduate to the PN thread this evening, but I need to wake the monkey for a feed... so this could take a while .