Woah what a journey! I can't wait to read all the posts and catch up on the gossip!! I'm in the wide awake club again, Molly is asleep on my chest and DH is snoring next to me – i'm in heaven (apart from an engorged right breast….) :D
So thought i'd take an opportunity to fill you in on Molly's birth story, I'll try and keep it short and just include the basics...
My waters broke at 3am on Friday 14th. The fear on DH face is something i'll never forget. I wasn't expecting it to be pink/red – I.e blood in it, so we phoned the mw who confirmed it was normal. The contractions didn't start until late afternoon, and when they got going I think around 4pm ish I was shocked at how painful they were. By 7:30pm we decided i'd done enough hollering and withering around on the floor and decided to get an Uber to the hospital. We arrived just at shift change and were in the reception with a few other people, I remember feeling very embarrassed and on show. We went through to triage who put me on a monitor and then they did an internal, I was only 1-2cm dilated and was gutted. They said we could go back home, or stay in. I was in so much pain they let us stay and so moved us onto a ward. I took some paracetamol and codine. It felt like hours were going by and nothing happening. I had no idea early labour was so tough. No idea what time it was but they offered me pethadine, which during pregnancy said it was the one thing I wasn't going to take – I grabbed it with both hands!! Delightful stuff! Had a bit of a snooze as did DH (on the floor!). I remember thinking it wore off pretty quick and I started to scream again (I don't think it had, I just had no concept of time!). They came and re-examinded me and i'd made it to 5cm and as I felt then need to push they said I could finally move to my own labour room – HURRAH! Before doing this I had worked out it was now Saturday and DH's birthday I wished him a happy birthday and then promptly threw up all down his trousers and suede shoes...
In my new room I felt so much more relaxed, met Hannah the most amazing midwife who stayed with me throughout, honestly I swear she was an angel. As I have my blood clotting issue they put an order in for my oxyplasma stuff so I could have an epidural – too late! I'd gone from 5cm-9.5cm in 15mins! Some of my cervix wasn't fully open on one side or something so I was leaning over the top of the bed on all fours – no shame! By this point i'd zoned out, lovely stuff gas and air!! I did apparently complain it wasn't working over and over again, the mw and DH were apparently laughing their heads off at me. Eventually I went back to laying down and I was allowed to start pushing. Unfortunately Molly's head would not budge and I just couldn't get her out. They were only allowing me to push for an hour before the doctors would step in. The midwives were excellent and really rooting for me, the doctors turned up, I think baby was in a little stress, can't remember but they gave me one last try to do it solo and sent the doctors away!! I remember locking eyes with Mary (another midwife who joined the party-we'd met her at triage) and giving it everything I had – out she came!!! They put her on my chest this little bluey wet thing and the moment was so surreal. DH cut the cord and I got my voice back! Then things went a little tits up. Managed to deliver the placenta but they had to press the emergency button. Molly was handed to DH and he was moved out the way. About 8 doctors rushed in and my bed was flattened and I was given oxygen. To be honest I still don't really know what was going on as all I was focused on was DH holding the baby, he was crying and obviously panicked, I was still in awe that we'd made a baby. Oh god, i've literally just started crying for the first time reliving and writing this, excuse me...Anyhoo, turned out I was haemorrhaging and i'd torn and stuff so they did what they needed to do, stitches etc. I don't really know anymore tbh, I know before we knew it, it was DH, Molly and I just enjoying each others company! Was shocked to find out i'd delivered an 8lb 15oz baby!! I thought she was going to be around 7lb 4oz!
As they didn't have any beds on the wards we managed to stay in the room for a while, before being moved to a transitional room, then downstairs. My parents came and visited and are one proud set of grandparents!! Then DH's sister anad husband came and then we were moved downstairs. My sister and niece came for a visit too which was lovely as we haven't spoken for the last 5 months or so (a different story!!). We had to stay in overnight due to the blood loss. DH went home around 10pm to sleep. Oh lord, not a fun night, had a melt down around 3am. Got through it though!! Felt a bit like a rockstar, and still do! The lack of sleep goes out of the window every time I look at her. I really am one proud mummy! xx