I sat on the loo thinking shit have they really, it was all starting to get very real! I yelled to Jamie from the bathroom to come and inspect - as I thought I might have wet myself. He did in fact clarify that it did not smell of urine.
I then rang my mum (obviously) and told her what I thought had happened. She again reiterated that I wouldn't have suddenly become incontinent and yes it would be my waters.
I then rang my midwife (still sat on the loo) And explained what had just happened. She told me to pop a pad on and make my way down to them at midday and they would assess the situation.
9am - 12midday the longest 3 hours of my life. I got showered, re washed my hair and prepared myself.
It was happening!!
When Jamie and I arrived at the midwife office, we took a seat and waited some more. Eventually (it probably wasn't long in all fairness) I was taken to the office and en route my waters broke some more! Mortified! They confirmed on the spot yes that was definitely my waters.
But as I wasn't having any contractions there was a danger of infection. I had 2 choices, 1 go home and wait 24 hours to see if it happened naturally and then therefore I could go to the local birthing centre or 2 go to the hospital immediately for an induction.
I really wanted a natural birth and only wanted gas and air so I chose to wait 24 hours.
So we went home. Via MacDonalds.
As the evening progressed I started getting contractions. And when I went to bed they were there and it was a little uncomfortable. I had visions of Jamie taking me to Wallingford Maternity Hospital in the middle of the night. But no. Of course not. I hardly slept as they were happening sporadically during the night but by 6am on the 15th September (DUE DATE!) they had stopped. So under the instructions of the midwife off we trotted to the John Radcliffe hospital where I was to be induced. Sadly. I didn't even get to go to the midwife led unit at the hospital as I needed an induction. Straight to the delivery suites.
At about midday I was seen my the midwife who would be looking after me. She set up my drip and basically told me to brace myself as the contractions would be pretty intense. She wasn't wrong! After a quick inspection I was already 2cms dilated. I was feeling pretty ok with life. I did take part in a trial of injections of saline at the base of my back as my back was really sore and they did help.
I managed about 6 hours of contractions with just controlling my breathing and the injections and moving about and at that point we had a change of midwife. The contractions started getting pretty bad by then and I was struggling. The midwife set up the gas and air which I then took gratefully. Not sure it helped really but if nothing was a good distraction. Made me feel like I'd had too many proseccos!
All I really remember is saying to the midwife that I was desperate for a poo and I really needed to go. Of course when I tried to go I couldn't. But he midwife humoured me anyway!
After a few hours it was getting pretty bad and I was examined. I had only got to 4cms. Fuck my actual life was she actually fucking kidding me right now?? She suggested that I might need a little help. GIVE ME ALL THE DRUGS!
I had an epidural put in at that point. And how I managed to sit still whilst they did it I have no idea. Oh what sweet bliss the drugs are! After a few minutes my pain that was through the roof went to a sensation. I love the drugs. I even managed to rest! At this point I have no idea on time scales as I was high as a kite! The midwife had to keep an eye on me very closely and attached a heart beat monitor to the baby's head- just to be sure.
After more hours, I was told I was at 10cms - thank the bloody lord! I might add I was on midwife number 3 by this point! That's how long this whole affair was taking! My guess is at approx 2:00am on the 16th September I was told to push. I pushed for an hour and a half, I pushed until I vomited: this baby was not coming out. The midwife went and got the consultant who strode in with his little ultra sound and prodded and poked me and advised me I'm not sure what position your baby is in but we are going to need to assist you in getting this baby out. At this point I swear to you, I thought either myself or the baby wasn't going to make it. He started talking about forceps and if that didn't work they would need to do an emergency c section under GA. I was shitting myself.
From the doctor telling me this, to me signing a consent form I was in surgery with about 15 health care professionals within 5 minutes. The small journey down from my delivery suite to surgery was only a few minutes, but my epidural had worn off and I was in the most amount of pain I've ever been in. Ever. I'm ashamed to say i screamed the hospital down!
As I already had an epidural in place they used that to give me my spinal block. I couldn't feel anything from my boobs down. To watch them move my legs and put stockings on me while I had no control whatsoever was beyond strange. I was in no pain and I couldn't feel anything.
The midwife again told me when to push as she could feel my contractions and thankfully after about 10 minutes of pushing my baby girl came out with the aid of forceps at 4:59am on the 16th September 2016 weighing 8lbs 3 and 3/4 ozs. Pure perfection.
The first thing I asked was is she a girl! I was still convinced she was going to be a boy!
I made Jamie follow her and make sure she was ok, she was the most important thing in the world.
I spent the next 30mins being stitched up. I had a third degree tear and they had to give me an episiotomy. Jamie said he took a look round the room after the baby was born and it was like something from a war zone.
After I had been stitched and a catheter inserted I was wheeled to recovery with my beautiful baby girl in my arms. But as soon as I got to my bay I yelled at jamie to take the baby as I was going to vomit again. Childbirth is not glamorous.
But we did it. We were both alive and she was healthy and that is all that mattered.
Rosie's first photo. Love at first sight.
The next day those forceps marks had almost gone.
12 hours after the birth.
My heart hurts.
I had to stay in over night as I lost quite a bit of blood and they needed to make sure Rosie was ok and didn't develop any infections from the waters breaking early.
That first night in hospital was horrific. We eventually got to sleep about 11pm as it was so hot and noisy. Then at 1am someone's baby woke up and that was it for the night. Bearing in mind I'd had no sleep by this point for 3 days I was exhausted. I couldn't even discharge myself as I had that wanky catheter in!
I was trying to breastfeed without a clue really how to do it, trying to keep my newborn from crying. Trying to stop myself from crying and just trying to survive a night.
The next morning Jamie turned up early and the hospital said that we were to stay in another night as they had done all the post birth checks on the baby but I had a massive hissy fit and said no way. They agreed for me to take Rosie to Wallingford on Sunday for the checks: I was delighted, I needed to get home.
My world
At home with my baby
ROSIE HOPE REYNOLDS - you are my life.
Jx
Glad you got home, best for you all to relax and get some rest. Don't know how anyone gets any sleep on a ward! Rosie is gorgeous, congratulations ❤️
ReplyDelete