I was induced too Lightfoot at 39 weeks. Everything came on slowly, perhaps a bit too slowly, and although I suddenly wanted to hide and sleep and act in denial, my husband encouraged me up, walking and getting on with things which actually got things going. I got to 3-4 cm when the top anaesthetist came in to talk to us (don't forget I'm in France) and strongly encouraged me to have an epidural. Having had 3rd son at home I was against this but he laid out a strong case. Baby 2 was breech, not a problem but their sizes were big. He was concerned I may end up with c-section and that it would be a last minute thing, he'd feel happier if I was 'prepared' before with everything in place. I got tearful, talked to husband and decided that putting all my wanting to do things completely naturally aside, perhaps I did need to think about this. So, we went ahead.
I went white according to my husband during the procedure as I was scared but I had one small dose and then it was up to me to press the button to get more pain relief. So I held out because I wanted to feel something and know when to push etc. But as it was, it was an extremely long long labour (probably not helped by epidural). However, what it did offer was that my husband and I sat together, holding hands, watching old classic comedies on his Ipad to pass the time, me with contractions but nothing horrendous, and I made the decision to enjoy the labour! It was actually quite a special time for us. With hindsight, Florence (no.1) was hard to get out, not descending that quickly and I was tired. So after she arrived, there was a team of medics all manipulating Lily-Rose round 180 degrees. The theatre ready for me.
I think in truth I would have found it too much without the epidural. It took 45 minutes between their deliveries but the manipulating was incredible, a great doctor with her team, and it meant no theatre. My pain threshold is pretty high I think but it was probably about 6 hours after the epidural that Florence was born. The french are over cautious but the reality is that I had had a hardish pregnancy in many respects, hadn't slept the night before, and I was completely shattered. Dulling the pain (I took minimal dose of epidural) probably got me through things without theatre. I even got the doctor telling me the next day that I was super 'forte' (strong!) which I appreciated hearing! One week later I ache from all the pushing (I really had to get into the zone for no.2 because I was very tired and could feel myself giving up a bit) and I pushed them out in highly gymnastic manouevres apparently perhaps explaining the aches today! But at 7 pounds and just over 7 pounds, I am amazed at what I was carrying around for so long.
Despite the French being much less into breastfeeding than British, I was determined to at least have a go as I had with the boys breastfed successfully. It's not easy at times logistically with the two but it has got much easier. In just a week they have definitely got the hang of it so I am really pleased. I fought a bit in hospital and after 4 days I think it was, was allowed to come out purely as they had started gaining weight and that I put forward the case that I physically needed another pair of hands at night. I was too bruised to pick them up easily and after 4 nights of virtually no sleep I knew I needed my husband's help and home.
Since then I have stayed in our bedroom, in the warm, snacks and drinks around me, with no visitors until my mum comes tomorrow. So many people dropping in but I have remained here, with the philosophy that I just want to be with twins, my 3 boys and husband before sharing with others. In hospital on the last night, despite a sign on the door, and telling the nurses I wanted to just be with the children and husband, 12 other people came and it was too much. I found it too over-whelming and so at home I thank my husband for being quite firm with well-meaning visitors. I think with twins your priorities change a bit, there's definitely double the healing (in my case) and double the hormones (emotional) but also double the protectiveness. I may not have had a c-section but physically I feel as though I've gone through a lot more than with the single pregnancies. Also I'm older!
I must just finish on a story that will make some of you cringe - midwife came monday to weigh the girls. I KNEW I had been breastfeeding well and that they were doing well. First baby on scales. Weight loss. Not possible I said. Followed by her telling me perhaps I needed more help, bottle etc. I started to get tearful and then thought hang on, you silly woman (her, not me!) you're weighing her on the bed. Bouncy surface. SO I told her to weigh her again on the table. Surprise, surprise. Superb weight gain. I was furious. I had got upset for nothing, been told all sorts of crap about supplements (not against bottles but just knew inside we were doing well as we were). Second baby WEIGHED ON TABLE - superb weight gain.
My husband said that I was not very subtle but that he was very proud that I had put her right. She didn't apologise but perhaps the fact she didn't want to come round til 8 days later tells me that at the end of the day, mums and instincts are key. I knew that the girls were doing well, but at the first sign, french midwife off on a different road.
So for all of you waiting to give birth, just given birth like me - yes, listen to the advice (in the case of the epidural for me it was probably the right thing to do) but trust your instincts. Because as I type this I have 2 well fed growing girls lying on me whom I and the family are totally besotted by, who have changed my life. Sometimes, it really is a case of Mum's know best!
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