Due August 2009 - It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine!

[becksydee]

thought i'd better start the new thread off before we completely filled up the old one!

link back to the previous thread here

Sorry for not updating sooner - just been too stressed!

James was born at 0138 on the 15th, weighing 6lb 12oz.

Sweep, sex and curry started me off (though I wish now I hadn't had the curry while in early labour, cos it didn't come out for a few days!).

When the MW came out, I was 7cm dilated. It was a nicely paced labour. CTX didn't get closer together, but they got more intense over time - it was weird. First stage was about 7 hours long, of which five I spent pacing up and down the house - I must have walked miles! Tokk full advantage of the G&A when it arrived, leaning over my DD's beanbag on the folded out sofa bed. Although undignified, it was better than me leaning over the kitchen cupboards, naked, sticking my arse in the air... my poor mother!

Two tips for homebirth:

1. if you need a wee - get someone to take the G&A upstairs for you. I had two moments when I thought I wouldn't cope, once when I got stuck on the couch in a CTX and DP was in the other room and couldn't hoist me up, the second having CTX on the toilet... not fun!
2. it's not called a show because you have to show it to people. Poor DP did NOT appreciate me bringing up a handful of bloody mucous from my nethers to show him!

My BP did not behave as I got nearer to delivery, and when it was something like 140/104 the MWs called an ambulance. One arrived almost straight away, but luckily it was a car so I got ten minutes grace.

Lovely MW, who could see I was pushing suggested I get up and try a different position. This was the best thing ever! I had been leaning over the beanbag, deciding that if I did get to the hospital I would have a CS under GA because I couldn't imagine being able to cope with anything else.

Thankfully, as soon as I stood up the pushing became SO much easier. I don't remember much about it, apart from the feeling of baby's head and the burning, but apparently I was half stood up and DP was holding me under the arms - I will ALWAYS be grateful to him for that - what a special thing to do. Then the other paramedics arrived, one poked their head round the door, to be greeted by a rather loud "FUCK OFF!" from me!

Next minute, the MW is trying to find baby's heartbeat. Nothing. I know now that he was almost out so she was pointing the doppler in totally the wrong place, but I absolutely panicked and pushed him out into her hands! "Grrrrrrrrooooaaaahhhh" I said.

Second stage documented at 6 minutes!

Baby was fine, had natural 3rd stage, which I think has led to much less bleeding after.

Problems started from then on. Baby poor feeder (daft sod lifts his tongue up when he tries to latch on. Am finally overcoming this with 'suck-retraining'), jaundiced and lost 12.5% of his bodyweight

So we spent three days in hospital while he had phototherapy, top-up feeds and IV antibiotics for a REALLY scary cord infection. It appeared so quickly, and an hour after first seeing it he had spots spreading up his belly. I was a complete mess. DD spent three dyas in hospital for jaundice and I was bullied, banned from picking her up and in agony from episiotomy. This time, although stressful was actually ok. DP stayed with me the whole time (on a crap campbed!) and they couldn't have been more encouraging about BFing.

Plus, I have recovered incredibly well compared to last time. Only had three stitches, didn't get horribly constipated and don't leak when I laugh. However, the stress, the guilt, the feeding problems and quite frankly the comedown from the homebirth have been SHIT.

James is wonderful, and hopefully I can stop worrying and start enjoying soon. I love him to bits.

He's definitely on the mend now. He's annoying and feeds at hourly intervals when I'm tired!!!!

I'm off to the PN thread

Congratulations hawkmoth, your birth story made me chuckle, especially telling the paramedic to F-off . Just hope you gain some normality soon

Well had my sweep today, and had a small show a couple of hours afterwards, but no contractions or anything else. Am booked in for induction on Thursday, so I should hopefully meet my babba by the weekend

Thanks Vjay

After a couple of days, I felt really guilty not letting the paramedics come in to see the baby! Never mind eh?

Forgot to say, DD woke up and came in just after the placenta and before the stitches. My mum didn't keep that good an eye on her and she asked, "why is the mivwife taking blood out of you?" and I had to tell her it was the glue that held the baby in!

Congrats Hawkmoth. We have boys born the same day then! Glad everything is now working through. My ds1 was jaundiced and under the lamps at the hospital. I remember that as a completely nightmarish time. See you on the post natal thread.

Congrats everyone else who's had their little ones since I last popped back here..

Congrats Hawkmoth and welcome baby James. Love the birth story , brightened my already disastrous morning with both DS's on my own for 1st time.

Congrats to all the new mums!
Things have gone very quiet here - Am I the last one standing [ah ah - standing - rather more slouching miserably...].
I've started to think this is a phantom pregnancy. there is no baby. It's all just in my head....

I'm sure there's a baby and it will zhoomph out soon, mimile!

Great birth story, Hawk. Congrats on James' arrival.

Arrgh at the 2 boys on your own, cairns- well done indeed for getting through.

Looking forward to updates from everyone else.

Hi all and congratulations to all who have had the litle ones and to those who are waiting, it wont be much longer.

I have only just had chance to get to the computer and detail my birth story (like hawkmoth). Holly was born on sunday 16th august weighing 10lb 12oz. It was quite a traumatic experience but worth every second.

I popped down to the delivery suite on friday afternoon as wanted to mke sure my waters were still in tact (was sure they would tell me to go home so didnt take my bags) as I have strep B so just wanted the all clear. When they admitted me my BP was 170/ 116 which is very high and teamed with my grossly odematous body and protein in urine was admitted with pre - eclamsia and was told I needed an emaergency induction (was 2 days overdue anyway). I was always aware that pre- eclamsia could be an issue due to my swelling but had put it at the back of my head as my weekly BP checks were always normal. For an emergency induction, there was nothing 'emergency' about it as the gel pesseries didnt work and 24 hours later I remained 1cm dilated. After 9 attempts at trying to break my waters the drip was finally started and I started to go into full blown labour. Of the whole labour the internals were the worst part. They were agony and I can quite honestly say ther is no way I would ever want to be induced again.

Holly was finally born on sunday morning at 1058 (39 hours later) and after a prolonged 2nd stage forceps were introduced. Holly was delivered safely but I had a large hemorrhage after the placenta was delivered so became very ill and need a blood transfusion. All very scary stuff but relieved to say feel MUCH better now and have even managed to walk into town in the last week.

Following the labour Holly developed Jaundice due to the bruising from the forceps and my milk didnt come in for 5 days as my body went into shock from the blood loss so feeding was hard work. After attending the breast feeding clinic we are feeding much better and Hollys jaundice has gone!! If anyone has problems with breast feeding I highly recommend attending a support group or clinic - it has changed everything. I have learned that breast feeding is a skill that both mum and baby learn together.

I hope everyone has a better birthing experience than me but despite its horrid bits we are doing well and little Holly is beautiful (although not so little!!)

x

Hello! Sorry to be so leisurely about updating, but that seems to be my new mode.

Little boy born by elective c-section on Wednesday. I was pretty scared, as my last section was hideous and took months to physically recover - still bearing some mental scars.

WHAT a difference. The whole thing was peaceful, clean, safe, professional. Everyone in theatre was encouraging and kind. Me and DH kissed and cuddled while we waited for me to go numb (which was the main problem last time). Baby came out yelling and I was shouting "I can hear my baby!" over the screen and laughing.

Telling comment from the surgeon at the end - "We've done a bit of sorting out - you'll see a difference in your scar." I didn't really register this until a couple of days later when I braced myself and took my dressings off - WOW again. My scar is smaller and neater than before, and the ends have been kind of tucked in. I imagine that the work inside is of the same high standard, because my mobility is already almost completely back to normal. After my last section it was 2 months before I could comfortably breastfeed in bed - had to do all feeds sitting on a chair with pillows on the table or my lap. This time it was only 5 days before I could roll onto my side in bed to offer a feed.

Spent 7 hours in recovery as blood pressure still a bit dodgy, but again my pain was properly managed and I was given FOOD! I was wheeled back onto the postnatal ward by a midwife with a familiar face - an old girlfriend from school, who managed to bagsy me a bed next to a window and a toilet, with a tray of food waiting for me. Naturally she is my new "besht friend."

He breastfeeds without much help or instruction from me, and here I am a week later in remarkably little pain, feeling like a brave and sensible woman who has safely negotiated a crooked path to deliver a gorgeous baby, rather than a Ginsters pasty which has been tossed off the production line half-baked into the rejects box, like I did last time.

It's a revelation to me that a person can have a baby and (first 24 post-op hours on epidural aside!) actually feel a bit better. I want to go back in time to my last birth, give myself a hug and say "You're not just being a wimp - you are having a really rubbish experience, it's not always like this."

Well done to everyone else and big hugs to those still waiting. I am tempted to say "not long now" but I know how irritating that was to me last week!

Becksydee well done on refusing the induction and glad you were supported in your decision!

i'm still here mimile!

had been booked in for induction today (again!) but went in and asked them to monitor and examine me first and then i'd decide where to go from there. was put on the CTG and baby performed well and made a beautiful graph on that when i was examined the dr found i'm already 3cm dilated and fully effaced! gave me another sweep whilst she was there & said she could have broken my waters if i'd wanted. baby is 1/5 engaged and ROA. decided that baby is clearly nearly ready to make an appearance on its own so i'd come home and wait a bit longer for things to get started.

first time i've been on the labour ward and the staff were really lovely and the rooms are pretty comfortable and spacious - made me feel more confident about having to go there instead of the birthing centre so that's good.

been home for a while now and feeling quite uncomfortable and crampy, quite a lot of tightenings but no proper contractions yet. have taken a couple of paracetamol and had a nap, just about to wander up the hill to the shop to get something for dinner (once i get upright, standing up is actually quite comfortable) and then i'll have a bath when i get home.

anyone else still out there, waiting?

That's great becksydee! I'm so glad you have got your "decisive" voice on, feels good doesn't it?

Enjoy your dinner, make it a good one, sounds like you could need the energy!

Congratulations Hencath. They were not wrong with diagnosing a big baby where they. If I remember you had similar growth scans to me and we both have given birth to whoppers, proving they are not that wrong I suppose. Sorry you had a traumatic time of the labour, but glad bfg is working out. I agree with the BF clinics they were a lifesaver for me with DS1.

Well done smallscrewcap glad it was a much better experience. I also had a torrid time with DS1 with both a long labour and a nightmare time at the hospital, but this time around can say that I kind of actually enjoyed the experience and the hospital was great, so just proves the potluck sometimes

becksydee good luck , things sound like they will happen v v soon.

just a quick post - been having actual proper contractions for a couple of hours now. coming about every 10 mins but no real pattern to them as yet, lasting about 20 seconds or so. going to stick the hypnotherapy cd on and try and chill out for a bit.

hopefully my next post will be a birth announcement

Good luck, Becksy.

oooh good luck Beckydee!
I hope it is the real deal for you
... so...
Am I the last one?

ooh, good luck Becksy!!

SmallScrewCap, so glad you had a better experience this time round. My c-section was great, after such a miserable pregnancy, I felt soooo much better just not being pregnant! I have a slight infection in the scar now, but treating with topical cream rather than oral ABs and it is quite superficial and doesn't seem to be spreading. Other than that, I've lost 20lbs in 10 days and feel pretty good, if a bit sleep deprived.

Hi All

just wanted to wish anyone else still waiting good luck grin]
WOW we are finally in September, is that Happy Autumn everyone, we have just arrived in Spring, can smell it in the air.

Hencath- poor you sounds like my first birth, with the induction, but i had an edpidural, which made the internals and length bearable. well done to you.

My second induction was only a 2 hour labour,no internals so don't worry they aren't all bad, third induction fine too.

Finally popped
Alexander James was born on the 1st. From the first contraction to his arrival took just 3 hours and 45 minutes. He is bf well, we are all a bit tired, but so happy

Is there anyone else left now?

How lovely, vjay. Many congratulations.

Hi ladies, glad to see everyone is getting on well, these twins are certainly leaving me very tired, but absolutely perfect. Is there anyone left to pop or have we all went?

Ready how are you getting on with your pair?

I think we're still waiting to hear about mimile and becksydee, valz. Glad to hear things are going well with the twins.

birth announcement - yippee!

finn nathaniel was born at 1:29am on 4th september weighing 8lb9oz

well, once things got started everything happened pretty quickly! DP made an executive decision to come home from work and get our doula to come over shortly after my last post - just as well really because i was starting to struggle by the time they got here. got the TENS machine on and got to the hospital at about 3pm.

managed with TENS, gas & air and a hot shower & was just starting to feel like i couldn't do it when it turned out that i was fully dilated. 2nd stage dragged on a bit & i was vaguely aware of DP and my doula shooing a ventouse-wielding doctor out of the door, which made me very determined to push him out into the world! had a very easy physiological 3rd stage (placenta kind of just fell out on the way from the bed back to the birthing stool!), but needed surgery afterwards to repair a 3rd degree tear.

we came home from hospital on saturday evening and we're starting to settle into something vaguely resembling a routine. finn is absolutely gorgeous, we struggled with breast feeding at the beginning but now we're both getting the hang of it and he seems to be turning into a bit of a boob addict! i'm starting to feel a bit less like i've been beaten up although i'm pretty sore from the stitches.

the last few days have been madly busy with visitors, and today we had our first expedition outside (breast feeding drop-in and a spot of shopping), so we're looking forward to a slightly more chilled out day tomorrow - just one undemanding visitor due to come round and the community midwife.

so that's my news- any news from mimile?

A million congratulations, becksy and welcome to little Finn. So glad everything went well and the hospital came up trumps for you on the natural birth front. I do think some hospitals are really getting things right these days. Hope the stitches aren't too sore and the breastfeeding keeps going well.

Birth announcement wanted to update sooner but blackberry didn't want to comply... so a bit long, apologies!

At long last - Daphné Léonora was born on Monday the 7th of September.
after seeing various registrar advising for / against induction & fiddling with induction dates; we got scared into having "it" done on Sunday 6th, at 40+11 rather than the planned 40+14. Turned up as advised on the saturday, expecting a chat and assessment with another registrar / consultant whatever else and go home, only to find out we were in to stay.
So here it started, with first pessary, followed by some mild cramping and a sleepless night due to the lady in labour in the next bed. That scared the hell out of me, as she was repeatedly demanding for pain relief in broken english but kept being told she was coping alright and should wait longer.
After two more pessaries, nothing much was happening, midwife number 6 advised to go for section if offered one, and so did registrar number 4, advising against risk of going over 40+14 etc, at which point I asked for some clear info and no void promises. She ensured that if that is what I wanted, I would get it, no funny business etc. Comes the morning after, consultant comes round with all his mignons (the only thing I asked in my birth plan was "no mignons from the ward rounds") and starts questioning me on why I think I should have a section, that he wasn't supportive of this kind of choice etc... felt like the grand inquisition. He wasn't even going to check dilatation (although I knew by that point that nothing had happened, but oh well...) and wanted to send me away for 48h to start again later. So I kind of lost it at that point, told him to send his mignons away (at that point he looked well pissed of, and my husband well embarrased but kind of expecting it I think). After 10 minutes of me rambling about continuity of care, lack of consistency in the advice given etc, he kind of agreed to check dilatation, couldn't even reach the cervix (god knows how - had three short-fingered midwifes managing ok beforehand...).
And I finally got the section - not that I wanted it - just wanted the baby out safely.
Went for the Cx assessment on the labour ward, got shit scared by all the moaning and groaning happening up there (obviously no sound proofing). Spinal went in ok, had a bit of a BP panic, going from 50/90 to 80/170, but Daphné came out alright, weighing 7 pounds 3. First few days on the ward were a bit traumatic, with a lot of sickness due to the morphine, plus a spell of fainting in the shower. Finally got a room to myself for the last few days of my stay there (a lovely 6 days in total, by the end of which I felt nearly totally institutionalised).
So here we are - a lovely baby who doesn't want to sleep at night and feeds all the time, and a rather chaotic return home, were my parents are staying with us for a week... tension is high already, as they seem to expect me to entertain them, when I just cannot be bothered... oh joy!

Congratulations! Welcome to Daphne. Hope you feel recovered v soon and manage to survivew your parents' visit!

Is that everyone?