Hi all,
Finally a chance to catch up with you all, baby Gil is 12 days old already... I really feel for those of you overdue and hoping things will start off naturally asap for all of yous! Congratulations to the new additions!
Thought I'd post my story, I really got what I'd been dreaming of, VBAC with minimal intervention, feel so blessed! Here it goes:
The waters broke on the Sunday morning (11th of May, 40+6) went for a walk in the park to try to get things going. Had a sleep as I knew it could be a long one, when I woke up I had a couple of sore contractions so phoned the hospital. They wanted me to come in as I had a section last time so we were there at 3pm.
Was settling into the ward with the idea of staying the night and see if things got going naturally. By 6pm I was having contractions every 3-4 min and they were getting super sore! Managed well with TENS machine, I recommend! I seemed to be sick every time I changed position, got an injection that stopped this so I could keep water down at least (no chance of eating in between these MENTAL pains). Baby's heart rate was monitored and he was coping really well with it all. At 11pm I was open 5cm so could move to labour ward.
I couldn't walk - wheelchair!! Honestly, these pains are impossible to describe! As soon as they started regularly I totally went into birthing zone, time perception totally wierd, the memories are really fuzzy!
Gas and air helped a bit, I am still amazed I didn't beg for more drugs. I remember saying that if I'd stopped opening at the next examination at 2am I'd consider an epidural. But I was fully dilated!! Such an amazing proud moment, and relief that I was getting there.
The pushing stage was such physically hard work, really unbelievable strength you find inside.. I was howling and screaming like crazy!! Animal! I did feel like I wanted to give up a few times, the coaching from DH and the midwives helped so much. The pain and pressure in the bum!! I could feel that the pushes were doing the job, was on my knees leaning against the back of the bed for most of it. Felt the head with my hand when it crowned! Turned around and leaned back for the last bit. Burning sensation when the head came out, then his whole body with the next contraction. There he was! A baby on the bed! He was born at 3am.
The feeling afterwards, how it all goes mellow and quiet... So incredible to just lie and look at him!
I needed some stitches, took about 20 min. Really explored the gas and air during this!! Got really conked, feel I'd deserved it. DH and Gil were cuddling. It wasn't a bad tear she said, I dont know when I will put a mirror down there to see the damage done....
DH left at about 6am and we got a room, slept for a couple of hours. Such a fantastic feeling to have him with me, totally different experience from last time obviously!
The recovery has been a breeze compared to last times EMCS, I feel so incredibly lucky that it all went well and that he was in such a good position to be born, I if anyone know that so much is down to luck..
Love to you all.