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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

as requested, for those that do not already know, my birth story

176 replies

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 12:19

This crops up a lot on various threads, and I feel terrible for hi-jacking threads.

I didn't know I was pregnant until I had DD. That sounds absurd, and I still don't really believe it myself.

I was a first year uni student so you can only begin to imagine my lifestyle, kebabs every week, binge drinking, weed, fags, the lot. I'm sure I don't have to spell it out to you.
I have ibs and was on the pill, and whilst on the pill when you have a break from the pill you have what is called a 'ghost bleed' this is not an actual period.

This may be the time to mention that I left my XP when I started uni and met my current DP (had DD after 4 months of being with DP)

I gave birth on the Friday, I was out clubbing on the Wednesday, had what I thought a horrible hang over on the Thursday morning with chronic stomach pain and vomiting (not the first time I've had a hangover like this) anyway the pain didn't stop all day so I had an early night. Friday morning my pain was still there, so thinking my ibs was playing up I rang for a doctor's appointment but there were non till Monday, fine I'll wait. It got to 6pm and I curled up for a sleep with a hot water bottle and popped 2 paracetamol, I woke at 9 grabbed my car keys to drive to a&e but was in too much pain to make it past the front door. Dropped keys and went to the toilet, it was about 9.55 and DP turns up for no reason at all.

When he arrived I was doubled over my bed, unable to move or speak, he asks me what's wrong and I said something like call an ambulane I'm dying. He says what? Then suddenly my pain changes from all down my back to round my fanjo and something inside me screams 'you are having a baby' DP calls 999 and is told to 'look' he yanks my bottoms down and shouts FUCK IT'S THE TOP OF A HEAD!! so he is on loudspeaker to paramedics, tells me to lie on my back and push, he the delivers dd, and I will remember to this day they asked on the phone 'is it breathing' his response 'no its blue' he then for a couple of minutes rubbed and patted her, and she took her first breaths just as the ambulance arrived to cut her cord.

I am strapped to a chair and carried downstairs with DP by my side and my friend, who had emerged just as the ambulance arrived carrying DD, they whisked me to hospital where they examined me and found no tearing and a perfect baby. She was born 6lbs 10ozs back to back with no pain relief.

DP stayed with me, didn't leave my side for 2 days until I sent him home to shower and tell his parents, and he has stayed ever since. He delivered, revived and has bought up a child that is not biologically his. And without him she wouldn't be here now.

I didn't look pregnant at all, I am a size 10 now and a stone fatter than I was when 9months pregnant.

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ClaireFromWork · 04/04/2012 12:56

OMG! Shock that is amazing. Can I ask a few questions, please?

How old is DD now?

Will you tell her about this when she's old enough?
Have you managed to carry on with your studies?

Also, what does "back to back" mean?

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 12:59

Boo I am a size 10 NOW, I was a size 6/8then, I have the pair of jeans I was wearing (comfortably) on the Thursday, and I cant get them half way up my legs now

Apparently my placenta was weird (not sure how) which meant she was lying up my back opposed to sideways? Also I did/do cheerleading, which was obviously very intensive exercise and I had a 6pack, which I can still feel under my layer of flab so that was probably holding her in too.

I want LOTS more at least 4 children, though I think that is because I am craving a pregnancy more than another baby IYSWIM

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Snowboarder · 04/04/2012 13:01

Wow Stranded , that is quite possibly THE most amazing story I have ever heard. You must be an incredibly strong person (your DP too) to have coped with that. Thanks for sharing! Smile

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:01

Claire DD is 2, just. Yes I have just got my HND distinction thanks for asking and have another year before I get my full degree. And if DD asks then yes I will tell he, or I might use it as an example that you can still do whatever you want to even if things seem complicated.

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 04/04/2012 13:02

OMG that's an amazing story.

And your dd is still only 2, you must still be coming to terms with it all!

Moved me to tears too and I'm far too old and post childbirth stuff to cry at birth stories anymoreGrin

Your DH sounds like a star op, I hope you all have a wonderful life together.

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:04

Your DH sounds like a star op, I hope you all have a wonderful life together He is but lets keep that quiet, we don't want it going to his head Grin

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BooMagoo · 04/04/2012 13:04

Wow! Your DP sounds exceptional too. A gem.

ClaireFromWork · 04/04/2012 13:05

Amazing Stranded. You're an inspiration! Seriously impressed by the whole thing!

scottishmummy · 04/04/2012 13:06

that's a remarkable story
and a remarkable man
lump in throat reading "is it breathing"...."no it's blue"

Toughasoldboots · 04/04/2012 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AwkwardMary · 04/04/2012 13:09

It's very amazing....I bellieve you. I had no idea I was pregnant with my DD until I was 6 months gone. I was very, very thin at the time and very fit....I already had extremely random periods and so thought nothing of missing them. I was so shocked when I found out. I went for a scan and when I saw her there I cried and cried...I felt so worried...I had been in a play for a good portion of the pregnancy and had worn a massive 18th century dress with corset and layers of petticoats. When I had a fainting fit one day in rehearsal I thought it was the corset! My DD was born fine at 9llb by c section...I have the pelvis of a male in its width. Even a small baby couldn';t be born naturally.

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:10

back to back means she was facing upwards when she was born. So she was spine to spine, babies are meant to come out the other way up.

I wouldn't be 'impressed' by it, really. Shocked but nothing that I've done is any more impressive than anyone who would have known. I just did what anyone else would have done.

I do feel really bad though that I didn't really hold or cuddle her when she was a baby, which is why I think she doesn't like cuddles now :(

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ScrambledSmegs · 04/04/2012 13:10

Bloody hell! You must have been in shock for ages! Such an amazing story.

I do think you're pretty fantastic for keeping a baby that you had no idea you were pregnant with. It must have been the most traumatic experience of your life, and the urge to run away as far as possible would have been overwhelming for me. And it goes without saying that your DP is a star too.

Your DD is gorgeous by the way (sneaky look at profile photos, sorry!), must get it from you!

LulaPalooza · 04/04/2012 13:11

Wow, that's an amazing story and thanks for sharing, stranded.

I had a ruptured EP last year and didn't even know or suspect that I was pregnant until it ruptured and I ended up in hospital. I had had no real signs or symptoms and had two normal periods at exactly the right time. I was always slightly suspicious of women with stories like yours, but I now fully understand and appreciate how easily it can happen.

So glad to hear that you and DD are now bonded and happy, and your DP sounds an absolute star and a half.

Onwards and upwards for you x

VeniVidiVisa · 04/04/2012 13:11

Thankyou for sharing your story SB. I've known people question whether it is possible to "not know" you are pregnant until the baby is born but I am familiar (through work) with another couple of cases. As it happens, they were also young, very slim students who put some of the side effects of pregnancy down to their lifestyle.

Thank goodness (and, of course, your DP) that you & your dd got through the birth safely. I am not surprised that it took your mind longer to catch up with the reality though.

ScrambledSmegs · 04/04/2012 13:12

PS My DD (precisely 2 as well) hates cuddles, and she got loads when in her first year! I think it's to do with being an independant little thing, nothing to do with you. Don't worry.

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:14

photos of me 'pregnant' if anyone is interested :)

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scottishmummy · 04/04/2012 13:15

my mum didn't know pg with me until painful and push
I've worked a&e when women have came in labour no idea pg, youngest was 15yo and terrified

I knew I was pg from the off
felt different, nausea, just knew

so I grew up hearing mum recount story if having me

youarenotbeingserious · 04/04/2012 13:16

Wow amazing story. I have often heard people say 'you really did not know you were pregnant?' to an old friend.

She didn't, same senario to you but working as an entertainer - lifestyle etc the same. She was about to be taken into surgery for appendectomy when the head appeared.

Sadly she couldn't bong with her DS and when he was 2yo moved to the UK leaving him with her parents. So you should be extra proud of yourself for learning to love your DD. You have been through a lot and come out the other side.

nickelhasababy · 04/04/2012 13:17

actually, knowing that you're pg in those photos, you can see it.
your waist at the front is rounded and goes through your waist rather than stopping at it.

i know i can't tell you're pg! i just mean i recognize the shape change.

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:20

I look at them and think 'I can see a belly' but I have chosen the photos that I look the most pregnant. And with IBS I always have frontward bloating on and off. I still get it now, which puts the shitters up me I tell yo!

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ClaireFromWork · 04/04/2012 13:21

Bit of a personal question, but didn't you notice your boobs changing (e.g. areolas getting bigger / darker?)

CointreauVersial · 04/04/2012 13:22

Wow, what a story. What a shock.

I have to say, I thought women who didn't realise they were pregnant until delivery were either in denial, very young and naive, or extremely overweight - you are clearly none of those!

My friend's baby was delivered on the bathroom floor by her DH because she didn't know she was in labour - I found that hard to believe (lucky woman!) but at least she knew she was pg.

StrandedBear · 04/04/2012 13:22

Nope, nothing. No leakage, no change.

DP made me go for a pregnancy test when I was about 8months because I demanded ice cream at 9pm on a night it was snowing Hmm but the bugger walked to the shop for me and got some Blush Was negative though.

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nickelhasababy · 04/04/2012 13:22

claire - my boobs got slightly bigger, but my areolae didn't change at all.