May 2015 - thread 8 - Maysters unite as babies start arriving! Eek!

[Titsalinabumsquash]

thread 7

New thread ladies.

Thanks for sharing all the birth stories ladies - really helpful to read a real mix of real life experiences xx

Thanks all for sharing your experiences, great help for us FTM!

So for those who are having an ELCS or end up with an emergency one; it's not scary. My experience was very calm and relaxed. I called at 6am, went up for 8am and walked in I think around nine. I was wearing a gown and those awful stockings. Had on my glasses and didn't have to remove jewellry or nail polish.

They numbed the back of my hand and then put the canula in which didn't hurt but is uncomfortable. Then same with back. Numb then the epidural. I leant forward and stayed frozen still.

Once epidural in they helped me to move into position, which is actually not flat rather slightly lower head and slightly on my side. At this point my blood pressure went crazy and I felt horribly sick and the anaesthetic had to be sorted out.

Once calmed down they sorted out drape which was higher than I thought at chest level. Best not to think too much about what they are doing really. Lots of digging around. Not bad just weird! Only about ten minutes until here's your baby! Drape lowered and there she is.

She's taken straight off with DH to be weighed etc and I don't see her for five mins while he cuts cord and dresses her. I guess this could vary between hospitals.

It took about half an hour to stitch me up and then I was taken back to recovery. I actually can't remember if I was holding her etc. I do remember getting tea and toast. And at midday I remember feeling pain but not being allowed more morphine until two! Then I went to the ward.

The canula and catheter were in until the next morning as I had made no effort to get up. I hadn't realised that the worst pain is sitting up for the first time and once that's done it was fine. I could have managed it that night and will try next time. Though it was bloody lovely having a catheter in and not needing the bloody loo twenty seven times a day!

Following morning I got up and started moving around and it all got better very quickly. I went home after two nights but will be aiming for one this time.

I hope that helped. I think all hospitals vary a bit. People are told different info for eating and drinking before. Some hospitals do a lot of planned a day some not. All in all it is not a bad procedure. But as I say best not to think about what they are doing when they are doing it!!

bean thanks for that story, although I'm still hoping not to have one if I do need a section I'm not panicking anymore about it!

turquoise that sounds like quite a traumatic labour, glad both you and your DS were both fine though, this time round it will be a lovely calm experience for you and baby...

Turquoise - that sounds horrific. I am really glad you have a plan in place this time round. I thought they didn't send you home if you were 3cm dilated. They admitted me at that point, though admittedly my contractions were much more frequent at that stage.

One bit I missed out of my birth story was the end, but having thought about it, it might be helpful to share as I've since found it is quite common and it'd be better to know in advance.. As I said, everything was pretty textbook until right at the end. I'd been pushing for a little while and mw suggested I try to use the loo (apparently a full bladder can block the exit!). I got out of the pool and tried but couldn't wee. Mw said the baby is probably almost here, did I want to push on the bed or get back in the pool. I whimpered and flapped and couldn't respond so she got me on all fours on the bed and she was telling me to be calm and not to rush etc - then suddenly her tone changed and she got very firm with me and told me I had to push for my life. I did and dd was born but the cord was round her neck. Dh said she looked quite scary and lifeless - he really thought the worst had happened - and she was whisked away to be resuscitated. Before she even got to the other side of the room to the resuscitation table she was crying and well though and tbh I was in a bit of a daze and didn't realise what had just happened till it was over. It did mean that the end bit of my birth plan (wait till the cord stops beating and natural delivery of the placenta) went out of the window, but she was back with me for skin to skin within minutes. I got a second degree tear but it was stitched up really well and all was back to normal within 2 weeks. They offered me gas and air for the stitches but after giving birth I felt invincible and barely felt either the tear or the stitches. I thought having the cord wrapped round their neck was a disaster as in films this always ends in tragedy but in fact it's quite common and what midwives are there for. It does mean I am a bit worried about things happening too quickly this time though as dd was relatively quick for a first time delivery (12 hours from first (is this it?) contraction and 6 from being admitted) and I want to get to hospital in plenty of time (bearing in mind I have to get dd settled safely somewhere first).

Turquoise To be fair, dm or mil would happily stay in the days leading up to the birth to be on hand. It's me that's ruled that out - way too stressful to have them hanging around for what could be weeks! I did think about paying someone but our cleaner who does some babysitting actually lives quite far away and I thought about an agency but I don't want dd waking up to find us gone and someone totally random in the house. A nursery worker is a possibility I suppose, though she is at pre-school now and they're qualified teachers with family of their own - probably not up for middle of the night on-call duty. Friend was lovely and said she'd be happy to help (and her 6 week old baby is currently only waking once per night if that gives anyone hope!). Fingers crossed it won't be necessary - if labour comes on in the daytime it'll be very smooth as nursery/holiday club can take her even if it's not her normal day and dsis has collected dd from nursery and put her to bed before. Dm or mil can be here within about 3 hours and I have another close friend without a small baby who can have her if it's not while she is away.

Thanks for all the birth stories! It's really helpful to read honest accounts of what can happen.

longest they were very short staffed as it was Christmas. I would never plan to have a Christmas baby again!

My section story. I'd looked forward to a water birth throughout the pregnancy so it was a bit of a shock to find out that DD was breech at 38 weeks and a section was booked for the next week! I'd never even been in hospital before for anything never mind an operation so I was really worried.

On the day, I was due to have the section during the morning but they had forgotten to check my platelets first thing (as they'd been low for much of the pregnancy and on the day of the pre-op) so they had to take my blood and wait for the results, and then there was an emergency section. I ended up going in during the afternoon but we'd taken books so I had a lovely peaceful morning reading!

They put a cannula in in the morning once they realised they had to check my blood and they put me on a drip so that I wouldn't get dehydrated.

Once we got into theatre we were introduced to all the staff there and they asked if we wanted any particular music or if we wanted to choose a radio station. I can still remember the name of the midwife (who we were introduced to first thing in the morning) and the person who delivered DD.

I was allowed to keep my glasses on and I didn't have to wear a hairnet which I was happy about (you often see them on obem).

The epidural was fine. I did hope to myself that they'd do it right (had read rare stories of paralysis!) but I didn't feel any pain. They moved me onto the operating table where I was tilted to one side. It felt like quite a tilt to me so I hoped that I wouldn't fall off! I started shaking (hands and arms) but they had warned me that this was normal. I think I was shaking for much of the time I was in there!

I felt really relaxed (the staff were lovely - chatty and joking - they made the experience really lovely) and it wasn't long until DD was born. It seemed like an age before she cried and then they showed her to me. They wouldn't let DH cut the cord straight away; they left it long and he went with her while she was weighed etc and they let him cut the cord shorter then.

I held DD while I was being stitched up. I still felt really relaxed and saying that I'd been scared of an operation I was fascinated by the thought of what they were doing!

I was taken into recovery and was just in time for a lovely three course meal (it was dinner time by then)! I'd heard of people being sick after just water but I wolfed it all down as I was hungry and was absolutely fine! I'm sure DD was with us then but I can remember the food more clearly!

Because I had my section later in the day the catheter was left in overnight. It was amazing not having to worry about going to the loo! They took it out at about 6am the next morning and I got up straight away and had a shower. I took it easy but felt absolutely fine. I was discharged the next morning, so had two nights in (1 1/2 days). I'm having another section this time and have been told I can have a 24hr discharge all being well. We went out for a very short walk - taking DD out in her new pram - shortly after we got home on the day I was discharged! I was fine going up and down stairs, which I know some people have problems with.

I honestly felt no pain after my section. I took what they gave me in hospital and then took paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly once I had left and I was fine. They were a day or so late taking out my stitches and I did feel pulling the night before they were taken out but that was it.

I did take it easy for 6 weeks as recommended (DH took a month off work) and I made a good recovery.

I had a very positive experience (apart from the nights in hospital!) and have opted for another ELCS this time.

I had a first birth story not dissimilar to Turquoise - so we will ignore that

My 2nd birth story was a lovely calm planned section. Lots of laughing and joking in theatre, the surgeon offered to lower the screen as he lifted out DD.
I took one look at suddenly green DP and said best not eh!!

DD handed to me for a cuddle whilst stitching, then into recovery where she fed laying across my chest. Up onto ward, once the epidural wore of the came round and gave me morphine. Ok nights sleep, got up had a shower spent the day in hospital then was discharged first thing the following day.

I could drive after ten days so would say the recovery was fantastic compared to my first birth. Don't get me wrong you need to be cautious its just not as bad as you think.

Really good to read these birth stories as a FTM so thanks ladies for posting your experiences.

I have rented out a tens machine today from the local pharmacy - thought as they like you to stay at home for as long as possible it may come in handy to help me do that and time is getting on so thought I best get it sorted! 37+1

Bradders how much are they to rent? I borrowed one last time and am hoping to again but my friend isn't 100% sure where she put it. I did find it really helped, although tbh wasn't expecting it to.

longest yes I am not sure what I am expecting from it but would rather have it to hand in case I do use it and it does give me some relief (hopefully!) I went into my local Lloyds pharmacy and they have ordered one in for me so should have it early next week - 30day rental cost me £27.

NCT do a six week rental for £27. Picked up a leaflet last night, definitely going to give it a go

It's a weird concept, giving yourself an electric shock to distract yourself from the real pain! The idea is it blocks your neural pathways as your brain can only focus on one sensation at a time so reduces the pain much as rubbing your elbow if you bang it. It sounded woo and I wasn't going to bother but my friend lent me hers and it did help - I was really nervous removing it to get into the pool so if my friend can't find hers I will definitely rent one. The other thing that helped was spiky massage balls. I think in the same way. Tbh I didn't get on that well withthe birthing ball dduring labour. I found it painful to sit on, never mind bounce, but I used it in the weeks lleading up as it's meant to help get them in the right position

Great to hear more about tens as didn't use it last time but was wondering about it this time. I really want to avoid another epidural as it meant I ended up stuck on bed on my back which I think contributed to need forceps.

Having a saga here. FIL admitted to hospital with chest infection. DP with him at the moment. Mil here with me and dd. Mil has some dementia so have to keep repeating things and I'm not sure what she's retaining and what she's not - don't want her to hold on to the worst news and not remember the better news iyswim. And DD's going through a language explosion, which is great as we've been worried her words are slow to come, but is making her v clingy at bedtime. Who wants to bet I go into labour this weekend?! (Sod's bloody law) (35+2)

Oh yeah, and mil has been regaling me with tales from her time as sister in charge of maternity unit, in full technicolor detail

Evening all - look at me, two posts in two days, woo! ahem...

glad your diabetes appt went well this morning longest

my word turquoise that sounds like an ordeal and a half - thank goodness you've got a planned section this time, and I really hope the whole experience is a very lovely one!

really good reading all of these birth stories - I can't remember if I already shared mine or not!

RE: tens, I didn't use one last time, but wondering whether to try one this time, so it's been good to read about everyone's experiences with those

I've had to order a new moses basket as DS'S one wasn't properly stored in the loft, boo. The new one I have coming is lovely though. Ideally i'd like something like a bednest or a next2me or something and then the moses basket for downstairs, but we'll see. DS didn't last two minutes in his moses basket though he was REEEAAALLLY long!

Hope everyone has had a good day :)

Hope your FIL is ok aberjen sorry it's left you dealing with MIL and a clingy DD.

kyz we've bought a crib to go by the side of our bed as also wanted to keep the moses basket downstairs. Was cheaper and means we can leave it with my parents when we move in July for them to use if they babysit :)

Am sat downstairs with back pain, lower right. Think its from being a bit constipated... but feeling so uncomfortable and couldn't sleep :( also have a sore throat and a slightly blocked nose... not good when I have friends and family over today for my afternoon tea

Thanks for the birth stories everyone - I found them really helpful and calming.

Sympathies to those suffering insomnia - I've found I sleep best at night when I manage to get a nap in during the day, weirdly. Good excuse for a snooze anyway.

Hope everyone is feeling well.

FIL has pneumonia Poor DP and MIL obvs v worried about him. I'm just v glad DP made him go to a and e (he was quite cross at DP taking him, to begin with). Fingers crossed the abs work their magic quickly - DP said he might need to stay in a couple of days. Bad enough when you're somewhere you know let alone 'on holiday'.

Sorry for rambling on, just need to let it out somewhere.

I've used my tens machine before when my discs have slipped and although it won't get rid of pain, it does dull it a bit (you notice the difference when you take them off!)
I have a feeling though, that they will work best in the early stages of labour but not so effective once 4/5 cm I would have thought.

aberjen I hope your FiL is okay and getting better-very scary x

aberjen hope FIL gets better soon and that you are coping with your MIL. Bless them.
apple hope you got back to sleep so you're nice and fresh for your baby shower.
I've just woken up! DS is downstairs watching tv and seems to have sorted the cat as well. I think I can smell toast so might even be in for breakfast in bed! I was awake for two hours in the night though.
I'm taking DS to a kids swimming party today and will have to get in with him as it's the big pool. Going to look great as I only have a bikini which fits me! Then later on we are taking him to the pictures then off to my favourite restaurant that is not really baby friendly so last time for a while.
Have a lovely day everyone!

Aberjen - hope your FIL is ok!
How's everyone feeling today? Thank goodness it's the weekend - I'm looking forward to spending some time with my wee family today (taking a wee rest from the housework)
Over did it a bit yesterday - went into Glasgow with my cuz who I'm a BM for next year to help her pick a wedding dress was so exciting but all that walking made me shattered! (Can definitely feel baby moving down into the right position for it though!)