Congratuations for recent births, popping in to add my story...
Having had regular growth scans since 28 weeks, reduced movements on and off since 34 weeks, and a possible leak at 35 weeks, then a normal scan at 37 weeks, I fully expected to be turned away again at my 38 week scan.
Tuesday 6th April - Scan shows baby weighs 6lb 3oz, just above 10th centile. Fluid 8.6cm, just above 5th centile. Seen by registrar, who suggests induction. Booked for Friday 10th @ 3pm.
Friday 10th April - Arrive on ward at 2.40pm (keen, me?...) and get told how very busy they have been. Midwives still haven't had lunch at 3.30pm. The midwife says she has to 'explain something to me'. I feel a sense of dread as she says that they can't induce....yet. Yet. Yet is OK. Phew. I can stay but will have to wait a few hours until the ward is back to a safe level.
4.55pm, induction can proceed. CTG good. Cervix 3cms long very posterior can only insert 1 finger but is soft. Verdict: UNFAVOURABLE said as the gavel came down. 2mg prostin gel inserted with a warning that more may follow.
Over night contractions strong but not painful, TENS & co-codamol allowed some sleep. VE at 03.00 showed 2cms stretch to 3, posterior cervix.
Saturday 11th April - told that waters would be broken at 06.30, so called DH, but then labouring women arrived, so put on hold.
09.00, CTG good, transferred to Labour ward.
09.30, waters broken, told to go for a walk if I wanted, but to return every half an hour to check baby's heart rate.
Contractions 3 mins apart, 45 secs long. Noticeable, but TENS coping well. No need to breathe through them.
10.00 Heart rate fine. Offered & declined gas & air.
10.15 Another walk, contractions 2-3 mins long, 1 min long, have to stop & breathe through them, TENS turned up higher.
10.45 returned, heart rate good. Gas & air declined.
11.00 About to set off for another walk, when instinct said to stay & have Gas & Air. VE showed 4-5cms, cervix forward. I was disappointed, but Midwife said that it was a huge change from 09.30, because my cervix had been so far back.
12.00 CTG showing decelerations. Doctors called. Concerned baby isn't coping. VE shows 8 cms, so they are reassured. Pressure in bum with contractions.
12.35 Gas & air taken away because I get so drunk on it, and midwife wants baby out ASAP because of decelerations.
12.45 Head is out.
12.49 Welcome ISLA SOPHIA weighing 7lb 9oz!
My midwife is shocked, and wants to know where I managed to hide such a big baby.
Very fortunate labour, no tears or cuts. Feel tender in tummy but fine. Milk has come in and Isla is feeding well.
The unit was so busy that they had to close yesterday, as they had no beds anywhere. We came home at 4.30 yesterday.