missmilliesmum
19-09-2008, 04:35 PM
The Early Arrival of Amelia June...
It all started on Monday the 18th August when I was almost 37 weeks gestation. I had my OB appointment and the MW checked my BP and it was elevated. Off for a wee sample – this showed traces of protein.
It is worth pointing out at this point that I did not have a particularly ‘well’ pregnancy. Elongated Morning sickness, Acne, Fluid Retention, Carpel Tunnel and now....Pre-eclampsia!
My OB was off delivering at the time – so I had a blood test and was told to come back on Wednesday the 20th August.
I felt increasingly unwell over the next 2 days and had a feeling that things weren’t quite right.
I decided to bring DH to the OB with me on Wednesday on a whim – call it ‘maternal instinct’ maybe. The MW again checked my BP – It was dangerously high and double my normal BP! Believe it or not my OB was off delivering again! The MW asked me to wait in the waiting room until she got back and try not to get too anxious!
By this stage I had a fair idea of what was going to happen – so I started preparing DH. I told him that I thought I was either going to be admitted to hospy for monitoring or worst case scenario – induced there and then.
When my OB returned – she walked into her office – sat down and calmly said – ‘This baby’s got to come out.... preferably tonight’ DH and I couldn’t believe it! Luckily I had packed my hospital bag in the car! (Like I said – ‘maternal instinct’!)
We went on up to the maternity ward and I was admitted. My OB came along and did a stretch and sweep – saying that my cervix was soft but not yet dilated. The MW then inserted the Gels and we began to play the waiting game.
I sent DH home at 10pm as nothing was happening and I assured him that I would ring him if anything changed.
I didn’t sleep a wink due to a mixture of anxiety, excitement and noise (Many women LOUDLY labouring in the surrounding rooms!) At 2am I started getting mild contractions but they were very irregular and had fizzled out by 5am.
At 7am my OB arrived to rupture my membranes – as this needed to be done before the syntocin drip could be commenced. This was the most painful experience of my life! As I was not dilated at all and had no pain relief – it was very difficult and absolute agony. My OB had to dilate my cervix 1cm herself and insert the amnio-hook and rupture my membranes. I have never been so relived in my life as when this was over!
Then the Anaesthetist arrived to insert the epidural that had been recommended for medical reasons. (We simply could not allow my BP to get any higher) I have no problems with needles so this was a breeze. I was then given a cocktail or partial block. (I could still feel my legs and therefore walk to the toilet between top-ups).
The syntocin was then started and I was hooked up to the monitor – turned out I was already having mild uterine contractions!
Then I suppose my labour truly commenced. With the syntocin running I started to get regular contractions and the epidural was working well in keeping my BP down and the pain at bay.
After a few hours of this I started to feel really anxious and upset. Here I was strapped to the bed – unable to move due to the epidural/monitor and syntocin drip. This was not at all how I had envisioned my labour and I felt really sad and cheated. It all just seemed so ‘medical’. However, I knew I had to put my baby’s health first – so I put my own feelings aside and continued on as I was.
By 10.30am I was ready for my first internal. 1.5cm. I had only dilated ½ cm from when my OB had stretched me to 1cm! I was disappointed – but didn’t let it get to me.
I laboured on till 2.30pm. By this stage my contractions were hard and fast with only a small break between. My OB reappeared to do another internal. I was still only 1.5cm. I was very disappointed. My OB said we should crank the syntocin up to the maximum level and she would come back at 5.30pm.
My contractions were now directly on top of each other with no break in-between and lasting a long time! I had almost had an entire bag of syntocin which I later found out is almost unheard of as most women have had their baby after only ¼ of a bag!
My OB arrived at 5.30pm as promised and did another internal.....Still only 1.5cm after 10 hours of labour!!! Also – Bubs was posterior and not descending into my pelvis.
My OB said it was time to think about a caesarean. I felt this was all going horribly wrong and I had a little cry. She told me that she would never do a caesarean unless absolutely necessary and that her gut instinct told her that I could labour on for another 20 hours and still end up needing an emergency caesarean – but by that stage Bubs would be in real trouble.
She gave DH and I a few minutes to discuss it. It was not what either of us wanted – but we decided that it was the safest option for myself and our baby at this point.
We called the OB back in and I consented to a caesarean. Things moved really quickly from there!
We were in theatre within 10 minutes and the anaesthetist was administering the full-block epidural. Unfortunately I had an awful reaction to the drugs. They worked well as I had no feeling below the waist as I should have – but I was nauseas and totally ‘out of it’. I felt like I needed to sleep and couldn’t concentrate. I began to get very distressed as I felt so horrid and this was the most important moment of my life to date – the birth of our first child!!! Everyone told me it was just the drugs and the baby would be here soon.
Approximately 2 minutes later my OB held up a beautiful screaming baby! DH asked if it was a girl or a boy....the OB turned the baby around to show DH the ‘bits’ – He turned to me and said ‘I think it’s a Girl???’ We all laughed and the OB confirmed it was indeed a Girl!
I have never felt such emotion in my life! Despite the drugs – I felt absolute love and adoration for the beautiful little life that we had created!
DH didn’t leave her side. He cut the cord and held her hand as the paediatrician checked her over and then he brought her over to me to hold.
We held her tight and named her Amelia June (After my grandmother (My mother’s mother) that I never had the chance to meet as she passed away when my Mum was a teenager).
I then went to recovery and DH went with Amelia back to the maternity ward nursery and I joined them approximately an hour later.
Our little family was now complete! We were in awe of this beautiful little babe!
Even though I was disappointed with my overall birth experience – I have no regrets, as it produced the most perfect and healthy baby anyone could ask for!
Welcome to the world baby girl......Mummy and Daddy are so happy to meet you at last!!!
Name: Amelia June
Gestation: 37 weeks
DOB: 21/08/08
Time: 6.27pm
Weight: 5lb 14oz
Length: 47cm
Head Circ: 33cm
Here are some pictures of my Darling Girl just after birth and beyond.....
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1575 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1575)
Just Born – Welcome to the world baby girl!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1574 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1574)
Dad cutting the umbilical cord
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1297 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1297)
Taking it all in!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1300 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1300)
Mummy’s little girl!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1308 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1308)
First car trip – on the way home from hospy.
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1576 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1576)
First day home from hospy – Mum and Millie
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1573 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1573)
In my bouncer – 2 weeks old!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1577 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1577)
Pretty as a picture!
It all started on Monday the 18th August when I was almost 37 weeks gestation. I had my OB appointment and the MW checked my BP and it was elevated. Off for a wee sample – this showed traces of protein.
It is worth pointing out at this point that I did not have a particularly ‘well’ pregnancy. Elongated Morning sickness, Acne, Fluid Retention, Carpel Tunnel and now....Pre-eclampsia!
My OB was off delivering at the time – so I had a blood test and was told to come back on Wednesday the 20th August.
I felt increasingly unwell over the next 2 days and had a feeling that things weren’t quite right.
I decided to bring DH to the OB with me on Wednesday on a whim – call it ‘maternal instinct’ maybe. The MW again checked my BP – It was dangerously high and double my normal BP! Believe it or not my OB was off delivering again! The MW asked me to wait in the waiting room until she got back and try not to get too anxious!
By this stage I had a fair idea of what was going to happen – so I started preparing DH. I told him that I thought I was either going to be admitted to hospy for monitoring or worst case scenario – induced there and then.
When my OB returned – she walked into her office – sat down and calmly said – ‘This baby’s got to come out.... preferably tonight’ DH and I couldn’t believe it! Luckily I had packed my hospital bag in the car! (Like I said – ‘maternal instinct’!)
We went on up to the maternity ward and I was admitted. My OB came along and did a stretch and sweep – saying that my cervix was soft but not yet dilated. The MW then inserted the Gels and we began to play the waiting game.
I sent DH home at 10pm as nothing was happening and I assured him that I would ring him if anything changed.
I didn’t sleep a wink due to a mixture of anxiety, excitement and noise (Many women LOUDLY labouring in the surrounding rooms!) At 2am I started getting mild contractions but they were very irregular and had fizzled out by 5am.
At 7am my OB arrived to rupture my membranes – as this needed to be done before the syntocin drip could be commenced. This was the most painful experience of my life! As I was not dilated at all and had no pain relief – it was very difficult and absolute agony. My OB had to dilate my cervix 1cm herself and insert the amnio-hook and rupture my membranes. I have never been so relived in my life as when this was over!
Then the Anaesthetist arrived to insert the epidural that had been recommended for medical reasons. (We simply could not allow my BP to get any higher) I have no problems with needles so this was a breeze. I was then given a cocktail or partial block. (I could still feel my legs and therefore walk to the toilet between top-ups).
The syntocin was then started and I was hooked up to the monitor – turned out I was already having mild uterine contractions!
Then I suppose my labour truly commenced. With the syntocin running I started to get regular contractions and the epidural was working well in keeping my BP down and the pain at bay.
After a few hours of this I started to feel really anxious and upset. Here I was strapped to the bed – unable to move due to the epidural/monitor and syntocin drip. This was not at all how I had envisioned my labour and I felt really sad and cheated. It all just seemed so ‘medical’. However, I knew I had to put my baby’s health first – so I put my own feelings aside and continued on as I was.
By 10.30am I was ready for my first internal. 1.5cm. I had only dilated ½ cm from when my OB had stretched me to 1cm! I was disappointed – but didn’t let it get to me.
I laboured on till 2.30pm. By this stage my contractions were hard and fast with only a small break between. My OB reappeared to do another internal. I was still only 1.5cm. I was very disappointed. My OB said we should crank the syntocin up to the maximum level and she would come back at 5.30pm.
My contractions were now directly on top of each other with no break in-between and lasting a long time! I had almost had an entire bag of syntocin which I later found out is almost unheard of as most women have had their baby after only ¼ of a bag!
My OB arrived at 5.30pm as promised and did another internal.....Still only 1.5cm after 10 hours of labour!!! Also – Bubs was posterior and not descending into my pelvis.
My OB said it was time to think about a caesarean. I felt this was all going horribly wrong and I had a little cry. She told me that she would never do a caesarean unless absolutely necessary and that her gut instinct told her that I could labour on for another 20 hours and still end up needing an emergency caesarean – but by that stage Bubs would be in real trouble.
She gave DH and I a few minutes to discuss it. It was not what either of us wanted – but we decided that it was the safest option for myself and our baby at this point.
We called the OB back in and I consented to a caesarean. Things moved really quickly from there!
We were in theatre within 10 minutes and the anaesthetist was administering the full-block epidural. Unfortunately I had an awful reaction to the drugs. They worked well as I had no feeling below the waist as I should have – but I was nauseas and totally ‘out of it’. I felt like I needed to sleep and couldn’t concentrate. I began to get very distressed as I felt so horrid and this was the most important moment of my life to date – the birth of our first child!!! Everyone told me it was just the drugs and the baby would be here soon.
Approximately 2 minutes later my OB held up a beautiful screaming baby! DH asked if it was a girl or a boy....the OB turned the baby around to show DH the ‘bits’ – He turned to me and said ‘I think it’s a Girl???’ We all laughed and the OB confirmed it was indeed a Girl!
I have never felt such emotion in my life! Despite the drugs – I felt absolute love and adoration for the beautiful little life that we had created!
DH didn’t leave her side. He cut the cord and held her hand as the paediatrician checked her over and then he brought her over to me to hold.
We held her tight and named her Amelia June (After my grandmother (My mother’s mother) that I never had the chance to meet as she passed away when my Mum was a teenager).
I then went to recovery and DH went with Amelia back to the maternity ward nursery and I joined them approximately an hour later.
Our little family was now complete! We were in awe of this beautiful little babe!
Even though I was disappointed with my overall birth experience – I have no regrets, as it produced the most perfect and healthy baby anyone could ask for!
Welcome to the world baby girl......Mummy and Daddy are so happy to meet you at last!!!
Name: Amelia June
Gestation: 37 weeks
DOB: 21/08/08
Time: 6.27pm
Weight: 5lb 14oz
Length: 47cm
Head Circ: 33cm
Here are some pictures of my Darling Girl just after birth and beyond.....
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1575 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1575)
Just Born – Welcome to the world baby girl!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1574 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1574)
Dad cutting the umbilical cord
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1297 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1297)
Taking it all in!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1300 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1300)
Mummy’s little girl!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1308 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1308)
First car trip – on the way home from hospy.
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1576 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1576)
First day home from hospy – Mum and Millie
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1573 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1573)
In my bouncer – 2 weeks old!
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1577 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/picture.php?albumid=282&pictureid=1577)
Pretty as a picture!