Dreaming Pink Due Date Group: TTC and Beyond #2

[I Love Ladybugs]

Gecon....he is too cute!!!! Enjoy his sweetness!!!

Myrainbowgirl...you are in for such exciting adventures and more family time!! Wishing you all a safe move

[GeCon]

Afternoon ladies,

Before I start forgetting things, here is my birth story:

I woke up last Sunday at 39+3 and the day started like any other. Had some breakfast, tidied the house a bit as I figured it could't hurt in case LO would make an appearance within the next few days. At 1:30pm I went to the toilet and felt some water trickling, but not lots like with DS1. I decided to take a nice shower and slowly get everything ready. I also got in touch with my mum to come over to look after DS1. I felt very relaxed and in control. I had since spoken to the hospital who advised me to come in when I am ready to confirm it was indeed amniotic fluid and take it from there. Around 5pm we went to the hospital where they confirmed it was amniotic fluid, the CTG was fine: baby's heart rate fine, but only one mild contraction within half an hour. I was told that I needed to stay in as either way they class the rupture of the sac as the beginning of labour, even without contractions. They also inserted an IV catheter as after 6 hours after the rupture they give antibiotics to avoid infection.

I sneakily went back home to see DS1 again briefly and as I figured there wasn't much point just waiting in the hospital if nothing was happening. Got back to the hospital for 8pm, when I had something like 1 or 2 mild contractions. I was given my 1st dose of antibiotics and the on-call midwife went back home as I was not dilated at all, but she said she thinks we'd see each other again later that night and she'd only be a few minutes from calling her. I was hoping that things would start off on their own as I was told if nothing had happened by the morning, they would start inducing me and I should prepare myself for potentially 2 days before having the baby.

OH and I were given a family room on the labour ward, basically a room with a double bed and TV, radio... quite cosy really. Got about an hour of sleep before waking up to needing the toilet. Went to the toilet and back into bed when I felt more fluid. It was more of a gush, which is what I had with DS1. At 11:45pm, about 20 minutes after my waters breaking completely, the contractions started... lasting about 45 seconds each, but only about 2.5 minutes apart. The midwife told me earlier that night that we needed about an hour of strong contractions that needed breathing through to open the cervix sufficiently, but from the intervals and strength of contractions I knew she had to come earlier and she arrived at the hospital at around 0:15am. When she examined me, I was already 4-5cm dilated and truthfully in quite a lot of pain. With DS1 I never got an epidural as things happened too quickly and there was no time for it anymore, so I had to go with gas and air only. I immediately told the MW that I wanted an epidural and she said it was probably wise due to the strength of my contractions. She called the anesthetist, who arrived shortly after, but when she examined me again (about 4-5 contractions after the last examination), I had dilated to 8cm. She then proceeded to tell me that she is wondering if giving an epidural would be counter-productive as I had done so well already with just gas and air and she would have to give me something to slow down the contractions for the anesthetist to be able to put the epidural in and if by the time it worked fully, I would already be fully dilated and ready to push anyway. She advised me to stick to the gas and air only and good old-fashioned midwifery. I trusted her and even though it didn't feel like it at the time I am glad I did. At 1:49am after about 5 pushes our little sunshine was born, 57cm long weighing 9lbs 4oz. Although he was bigger than expected I did not suffer any tears. We were then given lots of cuddle time before being transferred to the maternity ward where the wee man and I were able to cuddle up in my bed, which I thought was lovely as we spent the first few hours of his life just snuggled up together. It is possible to leave the hospital early here, but is not the norm as you usually stay in around 5 days, so the nurses and doctors were a bit surprised when I kept asking what the chances were for us to leave the same day. Due to the wee man's weight, his blood sugar was a bit unstable to start with, but by late afternoon we were allowed to leave.

Although due to the extreme pain I was in, I felt a bit cheated out of an epidural again and having to do it all on just gas and air, I am glad I trusted the midwife and went with her advice. I realise that my labour was even though short very intense due to my waters breaking and I appreciate that my labour experience was very positive and I would not want to change it for anything.

Sorry about the long essay.

P.S.: I wish someone had prepared me for the afterpains after a 2nd or more birth.

[bunnywabbit]

Aww GeCon, he's gorgeous. Even DH awww'd at him! Glad it was an uncomplicated birth despite his size, although it's a shame you didn't get your epidural. Enjoy! x

[Pumpkin2011]

OMG GeCon he is unbelievably cute, huge congrats again. Love reading your birth story thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[I Love Ladybugs]

Gecon......I love how you snuck out to see DS1! That is awesome...and so it not having an epidural. I joked before I had DS1 that I really wanted one, but in the speed of my labour made that impossible. With DS2, I did not want anything and got all the way to 10cms without anything, and had my epidural for a csection ( I felt cheated that I had to have the epidural that late and not get it sooner!!).....so this time around, I was elated to have no interventions. Your body is amazing and you will feel so much better long term without that epidural. Your little/big guy is adorable...add him to the list of cute little guys!!!!!

[Dreamofpink]

Gecon, you did so well & what a gorgeous little boy you have! Does he have a name yet?

Isaac got weighed today & at 6 & half weeks old he's 10lb 14oz. He's averaging 8oz a week which is great to know! He's definitely lost that shiny newness of a newborn BUT he's 'talking' & smiling now!



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[bunnywabbit]

Squeee! Oh he's so cute, dreamofpink! Can't wait to meet my little man

[Dreamofpink]

Squeee! Oh he's so cute, dreamofpink! Can't wait to meet my little man

Aww, thank you Bunny AND I can't wait to see pics of your little man too!! Time'll fly by & he'll be here so soon I'm so excited for you, you're just going to love being a Mummy!

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[bunnywabbit]

Aww, thank you Bunny AND I can't wait to see pics of your little man too!! Time'll fly by & he'll be here so soon I'm so excited for you, you're just going to love being a Mummy!

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Thank you! Can't believe I'm 18 weeks tomorrow - Almost halfway done!

[thehappypixi]

Oh I'm soooo READY for baby now!! Gt everything now, just need to stock the freezer a bit closer to the date, wash baby clothes and draw up an official birth plan (which is fairly brief!) Lovely seeing everyone's squishes <3 this has been such a fun group to be part of!