@Cocoblue22 I didn't think we were allowed shellfish?! Has this changed!? Please tell me it has!
First pregnancy, my dates changed drastically over the course of my scans. When I went into labour I had Pre-E and when she arrived it turned out she was hugely overdue. But she tried coming out shoulder first (they mistook it for her head). At 5cm they essentially "pushed her back up" and tried to turn her. Got to 7cm and my labour completely stopped. Then they said I would need forceps and in my state of no sleep and agony I refused and said c-section. They said no - it's too late. Took me down to surgery and gave me a spinal (long over due, back labour for 50+ hours at this point). After the spinal was in I was more rational and said I wanted to push. So they gave me Pitocin to kick start contractions again. Got to 10cm and after two hours of pushing, plus a lot of digging around by a very aggressive female consultant (she saved her tbf) DD1 was born. At which point, the Pitocin triggered a massive haemorrhage. They tried packing me with dressing, put drugs up my bum, external uterine massage which left me with bruises on my abdomen for weeks, told my mum and DH to leave as it wasn't looking good. 3 hours later I come out of surgery, transfusions etc and finally got to see my baby. It was odd because they were so panicked I genuinely thought I was going to die, but I was so tired, so wrecked, been in agony for so long I honestly didn't care, because the baby was ok. She was battered beyond belief from the delivery. She came out diagonally. I felt like I had been hit by a bus for weeks, breastfeeding was useless, I looked like I had died and ended up going back for infusions. However no external stitches it was all internal.
Second delivery (surprise pregnancy, said I would never go through that again). Cue panic attacks the weeks running up to it. DH still pretty horrified by what he saw. Spent weeks in hospital with kidney issues, was prescribed antibiotics that I was allergic to. Under a consultant who said he won't do a C-Section in those circumstances. Switched hospital care who admitted me for yet another kidney issue and confirmed at 27 weeks I was in early labour (previous hospital dismissed me as neurotic). Lots of drugs, three weeks in hospital baby stayed put.
Consultant in the new hospital said that he would offer a C-Section - but the offer of a "natural" birth was on the table. Baby was in a good position seen from additional scans and they could use preventative drugs in an IV during labour to stop another massive bleed.
I ended up going for natural delivery as the thought of major abdominal surgery whilst awake terrified me. Went into labour, two hours later I feel like I need to push but refused as my first birth went on for over 70 hours and It couldn't possibly be this quick! Got to the hospital just in time to get an IV in and deliver DD2, about 40 mins after my arrival. Labour 4 hours in total. Did have a bleed but it was controlled pretty quick, she fed straight away and I was home six hours later.
Both pregnancies were utterly awful. I just hope for third time lucky, an easier pregnancy and straightforward birth for a healthy baby!
I do consider myself so lucky to have two DDs already, that are healthy and happy. I often feel like I'm trying my luck having a third. Sorry that was so long!