Birth stories - babies due oct 2008

[Electric Mumi]

Heya gals!! Well our bubs are arriving now so I am-we are dying to hear alll the gory and amazing details of everyones labour and birth!!!!

Be honest and be as detailed as you wana be!! Yep its expected to be a long post hence why I started a new thread especially for it!!!

[CraigS]

Our story starts on the 15th of Sept. I'll tell my side of it as the father. Kas may or may not tell hers as she found the whole thing terrifying and it still upsets her to think about it.

We were due to have a c-section on the 18th of Sept as the doc was concerned the baby would not fit through Kas's pelvis. In preparation for the birth our families were coming to stay.

My mother was the first to arrive on the 15th. Kas had been having problems with swelling in her legs, particularly the left one. We had brought it up with the hospital and our doctor and each time it had been dismissed as normal swelling.

By the 15th Kas had spent the previous week in bed with beanbags under the mattress to elevate her legs. She was also in pain. When my mother arrived she was shocked at the extent of the swelling. As she massaged Kas's legs she remarked that the left one was warm to touch.

She bundled us into the car and drove to the hospital where she made the nurses look at Kas's upper leg. Up till that point they had only ever looked at her lower legs. One look and Kas found herself admitted. Her doctor was notified and he said to inject blood thinners as a precaution and he would see her during rounds the next morning.

We left Kas in the hospital and drove home. About an hour later Kas rang me to say that her waters had just explosively broken all over the bed.

Despite the nurses telling me not to bother coming in till the morning, I rushed in to find that Kas was now having contractions.

A very uncomfortable night in a chair later and the doctor turned up at 6:30am. He took one look at Kas's leg and said that we had a large problem. He said that Kas was showing all the symptoms of a massive deep vein thrombosis. He said that this meant that we could no longer have an elective c-section. He also said that it meant that any c-section was now very risky. Especially as Kas had blood thinners in her system.

However, due to her preexisting condition he felt that a natural birth was not an option as there was a very strong chance that it would end in a c-section anyway. And doing it that way would make it even more dangerous.

He therefore recommended we do an emergency c-section right away.

He also explained that we would have ongoing health issues with a DVT. We would have to do daily injections of blood thinners for 6 months. Airline travel would be dangerous. All surgery would be dangerous. No birth control pills etc etc.

About 20 mins later the anesthetist arrived. He then scared the hell out of us. He said that it was his duty to inform us that the surgery Kas was about to have was extremely risky due to the DVT and the thinners. He then outlined the various ways that Kas could die. Both during and after the surgery. He ended by saying that in his opinion we should try natural.

At this stage we were both in tears. My mother was complicating things by saying we needed to stop and think about this.

The doctor was called back up to the rooms. In full scrubs. He again told us that while the c-section was risky, natural was even riskier. We agreed to go ahead.

We were left alone for a few minutes and Kas held my hand and repeatedly told me that she loved me. At this point she really thought she was going to die. I told her that I and the baby would be waiting for her when she got back to the room.

As she was wheeled out at 10 to 8, it was the worst moment in my life.

At about 8:30 a nurse came into the room to ask if I wanted to see my son. I was taken into the special care unit and handed a little pink naked squeaking baby. Straight away I could see Kas's lips.

I was told that my first duty was to take the photo of him being weighed.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/21861484@N00/xFM1g4

I was then told that he was ok. The surgery was still in progress but was progressing fine.

I was handed him back to nurse and had my photo taken to show Kas when she was taken into recovery. I then sat down feeling kind of numb.

After about an hour I was taken in and shown how to give Callum his first bath.

An hour after that I still had no word on Kas. It was suggested that I should go down to the cafe and have a cup of tea as it looked like I needed it.

Just as my mother and I sat down an orderly came over and said, "I've just got phone call to move a lady from recovery back to her room. I think it may be your wife".

We raced back upstairs and got there just before she was wheeled in. She had multiple tubes coming in and out of her and was on oxygen.

I said. "He's beautiful". She replied "Do you like him?" And it was at that point I realised she was still kind of out of it.

I was then able to bring Callum in and put him in her arms and we all had a good cry. Except Callum, he slept through it all.

Then all of our family arrived and it became the best day of my life.

That night they took Kas down for a doppler scan of her leg and everyone was astounded to discover that she did not have DVT. The leg specialist they brought in was especially surprised and had to check the raw data twice before he gave the all clear. They have since diagnosed it as cellulitis.

And that is pretty much the birth story. Except that 10 days later Kas got an infection under her c-section wound and had to be hospitilised for 4 days. But that's been cleared up now.

Craig.

[kamb1403]

Craig - I am so sorry that you and Kas had to go thru such a bad birthing experience with your first. I had tears running down my face reading your story. If Kas doesn't want to post about her experience, I completly understand.

[BazzasMum]

Wow Craig - that's intense. :hugs: Don't blame Kas for being traumatised. She might need some counselling so it doesn't affect her long term. For the record, Callum's still gorgeous!! :D

[melissajayne]

I don't really have a birth story as I had a planned c section. It was the recovery that I had trouble with. I suffered from hypothermia, my pulse and heart beat dropped down to 30 something and blood pressure was really low and started clotting. All I wanted to know was how my baby was doing and they wouldn't find out as they were all worried about me.
Once I make it back to my room 3 hours later, I asked to see Kaida and I wasn't allowed to for a little while as she was connected to a drip to try and get her blood sugars normal, that drip was in for 2 days and had to be increased to a higher dose, still didn't do much. I decided to put her onto formula and that brought her sugar levels up to normal. And we haven't looked back since. She is a little jaundiced, but doctors are not worried as she is feeding well. I still have a bit of preggo brain :) so I may need to add more!

[Electric Mumi]

Craig: holy heck what a horrible ordeal! And they say having a baby is the best experience of ur life! Poor Kas has done it so tough. You have bonded with Cal but I have to ask has Kas? Its a massive thing she went through and wouldnt be shocked to hear she hasnt yet. Counselling is a fabulous way to go if she feels she needs it. Luv to you all. x

[melissajayne]

Craig - thats full on.:hugs: I truly understand if Kas doesn't want to want to post about her experience.

[Electric Mumi]

MJayne: Thanks for sharing hun and gotta say i love the name KAIDA...never heard it before!:yelclap:Glad she is ok now!

[farmmummy]

Craig & Kas - :hugs: Not an easy beginning for you both. Hope things begin to look up for you both.

[CraigS]

You have bonded with Cal but I have to ask has Kas? Its a massive thing she went through and wouldnt be shocked to hear she hasnt yet. Counselling is a fabulous way to go if she feels she needs it.

Oh yes. She adores him. Not to fond of hospitals anymore though. The first week was pretty rough as she kept on thinking about how she could have died and left Cal and I. She found that upsetting. But she has gotten much better since then. Keeping an eye on it though.

Craig.

[Electric Mumi]

Craig: u are a good hubby. She is very lucky to have someone as compassionate and as loving as you are. With the support from you Im sure she will pull through even if she does get the baby blues. Their is help out there for u both tho if u need it :hugs:

[PrincessT]

Thanks for sharing the story with us guys. Its an emotional time for everyone isnt it?

Craig, you sound like an amazing husband and father, never lose sight of that in the coming years, especially when Kas gets emotional and tired which she will as we all do. Your birth story reminds me of my aunts. Back when I was doing my HSC year in 1994 my mums sister was having her first - we were very close and I was so excited for her as her and her husband had been trying for some time. She had a stress free birth until about 26 weeks when things went downhill and she got pre-eclampia and a whole range of other things. Sadly for us, she didnt make it off the operating table and her little daughter did. The family was left with a tiny, premmy infant - the father was a mess and all who was left was 2 elderly grandmothers and my mum and I. We took turns in raising her and she just turned 15. Sadly for us, as good as her father has been, he has let his daughter down in quite a few ways. What is wonderful with men like you and indeed my own DH is that you are strong and capable and women are blessed to have you around.

Give my love to Kas xx Tell her to get well soon and give cuddles to your little son.

[kelly2781]

OMFG - Craig what a terrible thing to happen, i cant stop crying - im glad everything is better- i can totally understand if Kas doesn't want to tell her story, how scary. you sound like an amazing husband and father. :hugs: To you, Kas and Callum

[JumpingBean]

Wow Craig and Kas! That's such a full on birth story. You are both amazing and so brave.
Congrats and hope all runs smoothly now on. Enjoy your son.

[mum2ethan]

So i thought i would start writing my birth story... sorry for a very simple and straightforward birth it’s a long story…

Thursday 25th Sept 2008:
My mum, sister and grandmother decided to take me out shopping (only my mum and sister knew i was going for a c-section and it was their way of getting me to keep my mind off it, and i wouldnt talk about it or my grandmother would know what was up) anyway that really wore me out and i thought great i might actually get some sleep tonight!!! I hadnt been sleeping much all week, too excited, scared, nervous about the whole procedure. Well was I wrong!!!!!!!! I think I got about an hour sleep that night, there was just so much running thru my mind, what would my baby look like, if it were a girl like the ultrasound had said, if everything would go well, if she would be healthy, etc etc… also trying to think of a boys name just in case!!!

Friday 26th Sept 2008:
My alarm woke my up at 5:00am, went and had a shower with the special soap (the smell of it was actually starting to make me feel sick) got out, woke up DP to have a shower, by then my mother had woken up and come out to have a coffee and keep me company. I had my small glass of water and the reflux tablet. DP finished his shower, I gave Ethan a kiss goodbye and we were on our way!!

Got to the hospital at 6:00am and went up to the maternity ward, they took me to the labour ward and started all the paperwork and prepping me for surgery. They put the drip in my hand (ive never had one in my hand before and was expecting it to be painful but it wasn’t) then they wanted to put the catheter in (I was hoping they would do it AFTER the spinal…) but the midwife was really gentle and I only felt a bit of discomfort and no pain at all (completely different from my last experience with a catheter) so that was 2 of my worries down… 1 to go… the spinal!!!! DP got dressed in his scrubs, he looked so funny in them lol he wouldn’t let me take a pic of him tho, such a spoil sport!!!

We were told they should get a phone call at about 7:30am to let us know they were ready for me at the theatre. Then at 7:30 on the dot the phone call came, they brought up the theatre trolley for me and then wheeled me down. I couldn’t believe this was all happening!! It was such a surreal feeling knowing I was about to meet my baby but I wasn’t in labour!!
We got down there then the anesthetist came and spoke to me about the risks involved in the spinal and discussed what he was going to do and asked if I had any questions. I then had to drink this really foul tasting drink for reflux as well, about 2 more ppl came and spoke to me about the operation and what they were going to do and if I had any questions, then my midwife came and spoke to me and told me that when bubs was born and if everything was ok she would bring her over and we could have skin on skin contact and a feed while they were stitching me up (so happy to hear that)

Then we were ready so they took me into the theater, DP had to wait outside while they put the spinal in, I asked if someone could lean on my shoulders as someone had done this with my last spinal and it made me feel more secure (that and the fact that I wouldn’t be able to run away!! Lol) and this really nice guy called Troy did it for me, he was chatting to me the whole time and it took my mind completely off what they were doing, he was complementing me the whole time saying what a great job I was doing it just made me feel so good!!! Lol and all I ended up feeling with the spinal was the “scratching” feeling of the local and then after that a bit of pressure and then my legs and bum got all warm and heavy.

They went and got DP (who by then was wearing a mask and seeing him I just cracked up laughing!!!) he did look pretty funny!!! They attached the monitors on me and the anesthetist warned me my blood pressure might come down which will make me feel really sick and if that happens to tell him and he will give me something for the nausea, well no sooner had he said it that I was feeling pretty sick and he said he could see the colour drain from my face, so he gave me something and it worked within a minute. He was telling me that I would be able to feel them touching my belly, but I wont be able to feel the incision, and that I had to trust him on that. It was such a weird feeling. He then said he would let me know as soon as they start, to which he looked over the screen and said opps they have already started. So im just laying there chatting away waiting to meet my bub, then I heard them say baby was about to be born, they were trying to pull down the sheet so I could see but it was stuck, when they pulled the baby out they were trying to lift her high so I could see, all I could see was a foot and then part of her belly and a thumb right where the privates were!!!! Then they said they will bring the baby to me, I said to DP did you see the baby? Is it a girl? Does it have hair? Lots of hair? To which he replied yes I saw the baby, yes it’s a girl YES she has lots of dark hair. Then I just started bawling my eyes out. They brought her over and I couldn’t believe how much hair she had!!! OH MY she had a lot of it!! We had skin to skin like the midwife promised and then she wanted a feed, she latched on beautifully!! I couldn’t believe it, Ethan had a lot of trouble latching on in the first few days, this was so different! She stopped feeding after a while and I got DP to have a cuddle, then I heard the surgeon say that they had found a 5 – 6cm cyst and did I want them to remove it? I was like ummm what? Yeah ok… So the surgery took a bit longer than normal. We were still all chatting (about shoes…lol) when one of the nurses down the business end stabbed herself with a needle (I had to have another bloodtest to make sure I didn’t have anything nasty that I could have passed onto her, which I didn’t) so that was another thing I had to add to my story!!!

Anyway got back to recovery, where I had DP in with me and my baby girl, who had another feed. I was in recovery for about half an hour. Then got wheeled back to the maternity ward. I phoned my mum, who put me on speaker phone as my sister was also there and I told them I was still waiting!! HAHA then I said no, Ethan has a baby sister, they all let out a huge cheer, then she said she was on her way up.

Stats: Name of bub: Talitha Jean
DOB: 26th Sept 2008 @ 8:27am
Weight: 4060g or 9lb
Length: 49cm
Head Cir: 33.5cm
APGAR: 9 @ 1 min, 10 @ 5mins

The recovery has gone really well, by day 3, I was only taking panadol as pain relief, I was up and walking around the same day of the operation. I also weighed myself today (I had put on 15kg all up during the pregnancy) and it has been less than 2 weeks since having her and ive lost just over 10kg, 4 more to go and im back to my pre-preg weight!!! I also have to go back to the hospital in 4 weeks to get the test results of the cyst.

Talitha lost 13% of her body weight and wasn’t putting anything on, due to my milk taking forever to come thru and because she was losing weight she was getting really weak and tired, so she would fall asleep halfway thru a feed, so she wasn’t stimulating the milk to come thru, so I would express after every feed she had, and then feed her the express colostrums, I did that for 1 and a half days before I didn’t need to do it anymore, she also got a bit jaundice, but not enough for her to have to go under lights. She got weighed today and she is stacking on the weight!! Still not back up to her birth weight still a few hundred grams off. I ended up spending 5 nights/6 days in hospital (would have been home on day 3 but not with the weight issues)
She has been such a dream baby, very settled, since being home she only wakes once, yes ONCE a night to be fed and that is around 5am!! But last night she slept thru the night till 7:30am!! I know how lucky am i!!! She is my little angel, Ethan just adores her, he is such a big help he goes and gets me nappies and tells me when she is awake, he just sits next to her bassinet and stares at her, when she is awake he likes to stroke her hair and when she is upset he strokes her hair and tells her “its alright Talitha” he is such a good big brother!!

It was a great experience I wouldn’t change anything about it, I made the right decision in having a c-section and IF I were to have another baby I would have another c-section. The hardest part about it was being away from my boy, I missed him like crazy and as soon as the baby blues kicked in I missed him even more. Im so glad to be home with my complete family.

Sorry this is long and if you have made it this far thanks for reading!!!

Mel xoxox

[Shera]

Lovely positive birth story Mel. Good to hear Talitha is easy for & Ethan is so sweet with her.

[*Chels*]

Great story Mel!All the staff sound sooo nice!It really makes the difference doesnt it??
Aaawww wee Ethan is such a sweetheart,Talitha is lucky to have such a doting big bro!Congrats hun :yelclap::bee::smiliedance:

[sweetperfectchild]

Mel - thanks for posting your story. You've made having a c-section sound not half as scary as I imagined. And aren't you lucky to have such a good toddler - you must have prepared him really well for being a big brother.

Craig - What a horror story! It must have been so traumatic for you both. I'm finding that OBGYNs do seem particularly keen on giving you the worst case scenario even before they have the results of the tests and then seem to expect you to be grateful that it isn't that bad after all. I hope your little family are finally getting to spend some time together without any drama beyond poosplosions.

[~*clairesmum*~]

Congrats again on ur lil baby girl being born n that was such a great n positive c-sec birth story

:smiliedance::smiliedance:
:yelclap:

[BazzasMum]

Great story Mel. You did well, and sleeping through already??? :eek: We should all be so lucky.....

[Electric Mumi]

Hey Mel! Fabulous story. Im so glad to see you had a good time of it. Also an easy recovery. Was lovely to hear u say you would do it all again and not change a thing.
Its so good to hear the true textbook stories as well as the horror ones...gives me faith! Well done and congrats on the the birth of Tilly..the girl with loads of dark hair!!! :yelclap:

[mum2ethan]

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed reading, as i really enjoyed sharing it! It was so good to have a postitive experience, completely different from the birth of Ethan!!!
Cant wait to read others birth stories!!!! :goodvibes:

Mel xoxox

[kas3]

What a great story Mel - thanks for sharing :)

(:fingerscrossed: my next birth - if there is one - is like yours!)

[kamb1403]

I arrived at the hospital at 9.15am on 7th October to have my blood test done prior to my day surgery admittance. After waiting for an hour, I had the blood taken and made my way to day surgery. I gave my details to the admissions person and was told to sit in the day surgery waiting area. Over the next hour I changed into the lovely fashionable hospital gown, robe, hat and slippers. One of the nurses then called me in to go over all my information again and put the pressure stockings on me and my hospital tags. Hubby turned up at 11.30am and waited with me until it was my turn to go up to surgery.

At 1pm one of the nurses came and wheeled me up to the operating theatre. I was then prepped in the theatre and put under the general anethstetic. Cameron was born at 1.47pm and I also had my tubes tide.

I woke up while I was being wheeled into recovery. I started coughing due to having a very dry sore throat from the tube and each time I coughed, I was in immense pain on my right side. After being in recovery for approx 30 minutes, I was cleaned up and wheeled back to the post natal ward and my room.

Waiting in the room were my husband and the twins and our newborn son. Once they had the bed in place, I was given Cameron and he had his first feed. It was now approx 3.30pm.

Recovery has been amazing. On Wednesday morning I had the catheter out and the drip taken out. The doctor came and checked up on me and was happy with how everything went. They did have a problem while they were closing me up. My skin was very fragile from the previous two c-sections. The midwife helped me out of bed and into the shower. She even turned it on for me. When I had finished, she helped me to get dry, dressed and back to the bed. I found that the more I got up and moved around, the better I felt.

Thursday morning, the doctor came and saw me again and was very impressed. She told me that I was fine to go home which was amazing as it was technically day 2. It was up to me if I wanted to stay or if I would be more comfortable at home, so I chose to go home.

I haven't had any pain relief since being home. My scar is healing nicely and Cameron is back to his birth weight. Cameron is now on 4-5 hourly feeds and settles after each feed. He is a very content little baby and is just as happy laying awake in his cot as he is being kissed by his brothers or being held by his mum, dad or nan.

Ryan has taken to him really well. He will come up and kiss Cameron while he is feeding or being held.

That's about it from me.

[Shera]

Another lovely birth story. Congratulations Kylie - you are so lucky to have another little boy.

[Littleyorkshirepudding]

Hi All,

My birth story begins at 6.30am on Tuesday 30th September 2008 when I arrived at the hospital and straightaway my DH & I were prepped for surgery - I remember looking at the clock at 7.10am feeling very nervous whilst we were waiting to be taken into surgery, in fact I was very anxious indeed and was having a hard time trying to keep my emotions under control. It wasn't long before they wheeled me into the prep room whilst they were getting the operation room ready for my surgery, here I meet the Dr's and anesthetists, all were very nice to me and made me feel very comfortable and explained the whole prodcedure to us.

At 8am I was wheeled into the room on my own to begin with whilst they put in the spinal block - this seemed to take forever as the anesthetist was having trouble finding that gap in my spine to administer the block, anyway several attempts later it was in and the drug was administered and I could lay down and DH could come in. And then we were under way - it was so surreal they kept telling me where they were up to and that I would feel some tugging and pulling once they got to the baby and pulled her out - I was still very anxious at this point and nervous about the pulling and tugging (I didn't remember any of this with my 1st DD) and when they got down to the baby they asked me if I wanted to see her come out, as I was so anxious I declined, then suddenly felt a huge tug and there she was born at 8.54am - they lifted her above the cloth all in her glory and there she was my baby girl beautiful and crying and the good news was I was told she could stay with me whilst they stitched me up and stay with me in recovery, to me that was awesome news as with DD1 I only saw her for a couple of mins and then didn't see her again until I got back from recovery.

Hubby got to cut her cord whilst they proceeded to stitch me back up - except this didn't go to plan and they hit an artery and I lost a lot of blood 2.5l, which is half the blood in your body, of course at this stage I start panicking as my blood pressure drops as does my body temperature and drugs are administered to get my bp back up and they wrap me in these blow up things where hot air is passed through to keep me warm. The decision is then made to give me a blood transfusion so 2l of cross matched blood is given and to be honest, I feel ok but am worried they are having trouble stopping the bleeding. The great thing is though, through this all DH and baby are allowed to stay with me and I even got a cuddle with her - even though my arms were shaking like mad. It wasn't long before they got the bleeding under control and I was stitiched up and sent to recovery - the team did an excellent job constantly reassuring me and telling me what was happening it was amazing I was so glad I was the first one of the day.

In recovery I got to breastfeed Matilda (although she didn't have a name by then) DH was freaking out a little as he thought at one point they were going to lose me and there I was worried about my fibriod.

I wasn't in recovery long and soon got taken to the ward and apart from the pain of the op I was feeling very good considering. The Dr's were really good they came back up later that day and told me exactly what had happened and they would be checking my haem levels to make sure I was on the mend and didn't mean another blood transfusion - results came back good and I was given the ok and apart from the usual painkillers I also had to take iron tablets.

Later that day also we finally decided on a name it was a choice between Scarlett, Eleanor (Ellie) and Matilda and of course Matilda we choose.

In hospital Tilly feed well until my milk came in then we had problems latching on and she also didn't sleep at night without me holding her but was happy to sleep all day.

We came out of hospital 5 days later and I was ready to get home and since we've been home it's been great, no problems feeding, she's been sleeping well and is a dear little soul, so placid and easy I'm so proud of her.

Even though after the birth of Tilly things didn't quite go to plan it was still a positive experience for me so different to my first c-section (which was an emergency one) but it hasn't put me off trying for a 3rd (but just not yet!!!!!) and I feel my recovery has been quicker this time round too.

And that's it from me looking forward to hearing more birth stories from you all.

LYP x :wave:

[Shera]

Your so brave LYP - i would of been panicking big time if I lost that much blood! At least you have recovered well & Tilly is a good baby. Thanks for sharing your story.

[*Chels*]

Bubs was due 11th October,no signs of him coming and every day after drove me nuts!
Roll on 17th....Rileys 3rd birthday.
DH got home from work at 2.30am so we were up blowing up balloons to suprise Riley in morning.As we headed to bed,we chatted about when bubs might come and I was worrying about having to be induced.
Bubs must have been listening in because 10 mins later a contraction hit.
First one,I thought "no way" but by the 3rd i started timing and they were 6 mins apart.
I woke up at 6am,had a shower and told DH I thought I was in labour.He thought I was joking!

Rileys bday was great,we hung at home with family,letting everyone know bubs would soon be here.Riley had a great day,and we headed to bed early in case bubs might not be too far away.Contractions kept coming thru the night but I managed to get alot of sleep.Woke up at 6am again and started my day.By mid morning contractions were getting longer,stronger and closer together but I was still coping well,so my midwife said to just wait it out at home.
By 12.30 pm I was started to get really uncomfy and decided it was time to go....

Rock up at birth centre at 1pm.Get blood pressure etc checked,then midwife suggests i get into shower on birth ball.DH held the showerhead on my lower back while I held one on my tum.After awhile I decided to get out and walk around,while the birth pool filled up.By this stage I was getting a really sore back and tailbone so I got a heatpack and sat back on birthball.I started feeling alot of pressure in my bum,but I wasnt sure what i was feeling,all I know is contractions were hitting hard!!!
My midwife said she would give me half an hour before she would have to check how dilated I was,as I was really confusing her because altho I was in pain,I was still coping well and chatting away while munching on lollies.
She asked if I wanted to hop in pool,and I jumped at the chance(had been eyeing it up while waiting forever for it to fill!!)

Once in,I relaxed so much and felt the urge to push coming on,but wasnt too sure so just tried to breathe.After 2 more contractions,I said "hes coming".
I got on my knees,leaning one arm on side while squashing the cr@p outta DH's leg with the other.The urge to psuh was sooooo massive,my body just took over.
I felt a cannon ball shoot out of giny,and my middie said "there goes your water bag!"
Man,that REALLY hurt!!!
Next contraction his head was crowning.The ring of fire still hurt sooooo much,even in the water!
A few hard pushes later,I felt him slither out.He floated behind me so my midwife caught and held him while I had to lift my leg up over him coz his cord was so short.As soon as I saw him I said" omg,hes gorgoeus!He looks just like Riley!"
I started to move out of the pool,and holding bubs,one leg hanging over the side,my placenta just fell right out!!!!Middie said that was the quickest she had seen one come:laughing:

Up onto bed and we had skin to skin cuddles,and Mr Booby Monster spent over an hour having his first feed.
I had a slight tear from pushing him out so fast but no stitches!YAY!Turns out I only pushed for 7 mins which beats my record of 2.5 hours with Riley!!!And I did it all drug free!!Total labour was 4 hours,27 mins.
A few hours later we were all home together to start our journey as a family of 4:valentine:


Introducing GRAYSON OLIVER, 8pd 7oz, 52 cm long.Born 18/10/08 at 3.57pm (one day after his big bro's bday!)

[~*clairesmum*~]

Congrats again Chels thanks for sharing ur birth story

[~*clairesmum*~]

30th of september had my middie app, they did a S&S n found out i was 3cm
for the next wk i had my bloody show tightings etc... Dues date came n went
on monday the 6th i lil sister gave me a belly, lower back n back massage n
i had curry for dinner, n was bouncing on the ball as i had being doing for
the last wk.

7th october
3rd day over it was about 6am n i got a contraction, then another one soon afterwards
didnt bother telling DH cause thuoght it wasnt it but at about 630 i got up put
contraction master on n sure enough 6mins apart lasting 1min. then i new that was it
rang DH n told him to stick close by as hes a rep, luckly i did cause he was going to go to
noosa, Got claire ready for daycare n told Courtney so she could come for a drive for just in case
after droping claire off went to shops to get a nitie n lollys etc...
Went home cleaned the house while my Courtney timed my contractions, DH came home n fell asleep
on the couch, after a while they were getting a lil bit more uncomfy so courtney made a hot bath
n i layed in there for about 15mins, got out got dressed went down stairs while court got her DS
ready so her SIL could look after him, n i rang hospital, after about 20mins on the way to MIL's
to drop claires stuff off at her house, got to hospital about 430 went to the room n got monitored
for about 30mins at 5:15 i got a VE n i was 6cm so they desided to take me to birth suite
They put a thingy in my hand cause i still had really low iron.. But that was the worst part cause
i couldnt use that hand, the middie jen was fantastic she was young n told me the best ways to labour
cause he was to my back... I couldnt get comfy cause of the back pain, tried leaning over the bed that
was ok for a lil bit then the loo that was really comfy but DH said i couldnt stay on there, with
every contraction i could feel him moving down it felt so weird, at 6:47pm, i went in to the shower
tried going on the ball but i hated it this time round, so i was just leaning up on the rails or on DH,
to let the pain i was going through go to my DH i was squezzing his hand n arms everytime a contraction hit...
Jen came in every lil check how i was going n coaching me through contractions, after a while i kept bearing
down while standing but it wasnt like the urge to push yet, Jen checked n the waters were just there n so
was his head, they asked me if i wanted to give birth in the shower or bed i chose bed cause for some reason
i just didnt think i could give birth in the shower, hoped up on the bed at 8:13pm n leaned over the end of
the bed, when a contraction hit n beared down when i felt the POP n heard it to there goes my waters
(DH was very upset cause he was going on about how he wanted to here the waters go pop n he missed it cause he was talkng) i then felt the urge to push stright away i started pushing but Jen said he was to big n
would be comeing out if i was in the postion so i turned over on my back which was so much easyer this time
around, when i started pushing, all i can say was OMFG the ring of fire i scared the **** out of my lil sister
cause i was screaming that much i didnt scream with claire as i didnt fell the ring of fire with her,
scott said he could see his head n all i could say was yea i no i can ****ing fell it I then asked for
the mirror so i could see one thing i said i wouldnt do, next thing i was pushing out his shoulders
n Jen told me to lean down n pull him out, which was fantastic bring my Lil baby boy into the world had to
make sure he was a lil boy like they told us, thats when we desided that he was going to be Oliver James.
So after 9mins of pushing (i pushed for 1.5hrs with claire) Oliver James was born at 8:29pm on the 7th Oct
he had a feed n cuddles with scott then he got weighed etc.. he was 4510grams so 9pd 15, 36cm head`
(so .5cm smaller then claire) n 56cm long, wonder y i could feel his legs up under my ribs he was 5cm longer
then claire He was a lil version of claire, i totally fell in love n new we had down the right thing in having a 2nd bub. Scott was having my cuddles while courtney helped me have a shower, then she had some cuddles.

Thanks so much Courtney for being there while i was in labour n giving birth to Oliver, i no courtney
u dont think u did much but u did a lot more then u think, i was stupid in thinking i could do it just with
scott n thanks for saying yes at such short notice, i love u so much n it was brought me closer to u,

Scott thank you so much u were fantastic while i was in labour,i no i hurt ur arms n the brusies that were there for a wk prove that, but u complete me n now we have 2 perfect kids, n are complete, i love you so much

Thanks for reading sorry it was so long
Here are some pics

Me in labour (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070086.jpg) Me leaning on bed (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070090.jpg)

Me in the shower (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070093.jpg) Oliver when he was born (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/1.jpg)

Cutting the cord (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070099.jpg) Scotts first cuddle (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070109.jpg)

Courtney firsts cuddle (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070115.jpg) Me n Oliver (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff146/clairesmum/Oliver%20James/PA070117.jpg)

[~*clairesmum*~]

This is my loving husband scotts story of what was going on in his head

It would seem as tho it was any normal Tuesday afternoon, well other then the unpleasant heat and to odd phone call from work this Tuesday is not like any other. As I sit on the couch in deep thought of unsure excitement, looking deeply in to the array of bags scattered across the floor, my thoughts are interrupted by the word “TIME” this interruption is fowled by the sister in law diving across the floor to right a figer in a small book.

Its funny how the feeling of impatiens and excitement can be counteracted by the feeling of fear and uncertainty, as I try to make cents of these feelings, a prier date, and events on this date, run though my head, “ the 23 of September 2006” the amazing arrivals of something that showed me, that love at first site das excised….. It was “Claire!!!!!!”
There are few things I remember of claries birth, the things that I do remember are things that would stick with me forever.

As I sit deep in this thought my mind was interrupted once agen by the word “TIME” this time sounding slightly more difficult for my wife to get out, as court wrights this in the small book I catch a quick glance from her that I could only take as, “is it time yet” as my mind tries to disifer this glance it slowly slips back in to thought it is interrupted agen by the announcement of my wife “im going to ring the hospital” she says

At this point the fight of uncertainty and excitement begins agen, I decide that it is time to arise from the couch and begin packing the car, one of those few feelings on the arrival of Claire comes rolling back, the feeling of a new beginning and the fear of a sudden loose

The words “its time to go” roles off the tough of my wife and my heart jumps a beat, but my body knows that it must show strength. As we load in to the car and begin to drive down the street I look at my wife and try to understand what is going though her mind. To me it seems blank and mine begins to follow the same path.

After the longest 45 minuet drive and a few contractions that made the foot go down, we arrive at the hospital.

As we walk down the hall, two thoughts come to mind, one in which is how familiar the feeling was, the smell, the look, the sound, and knowing that we had walked away from this once before made me feel a little better, the other was almost like being in a movie as we walk down the hall in a line of three with owe guns of courage and strength over owe shoulders we prepare for war with every hope that we come out the other side with the life’s we went in with and another for the sake of peace.

I sit on the chair in the corner and listen to the midwife, who to me right now is a giver of life, a helper in a new beginning and better known as Jennifer. This much like Angela the midwife for Claire will be a name I will know forever.

As Jennifer explains to my wife and myself of her deletion and progression my mind once agen slips in to the thoughts of fear and uncertainty, but this time what interrupted me was the smile on my wife face, to see her smile like that was almost like seeing in her mind, I sore that she could see new life that she could almost feel it, and that was all that was needed to make me feel safe.

So the wait begins, as we watch the clock and here the word “TIME” countless times I slowly get more nervous, when the time comes that Jennifer says “I think we should go to birthing suite” ………….. Thus few words seem to take my breath away. We gather owe things and head on in.
After a few short stops to lean on the nearest rail we finely make it to the room, at that very moment time stops. I take a deep breath and relies that this is the very room that love at first site happened that short 2 years ago, this to me is very comforting.

After a brief explanation of the room and the way things work, we are left once again to count the time, with Jennifer returning every half hour to see how we are going, time seemed to slow dramatically, with every five minuet contraction the pain seemed to intensifier and my powers of comfit seemed be less helpful, as ty would contract she would take hold of my hand and squeeze as tho she was trying to shear the pain in witch she is feeling. Although painful I didn’t mind, it made it real, it helped even tho I new I never could, it still helped to understand the pain and divoision it was taking to birth this child.

After a brief giggle about the size of the hospital hot water system, as we feel ty has used most of it, Jennifer informs us that this baby is on the way and we need to find a better place then upright in the shower to birth this little angel, after a quick discussion we think that the bed is the place to be, so we use the next opportunity to make a dash for the bed,

As the pain fads we launch owe quest.

Shortly after arriving at the bed ty climes up and gets on her hands and knees to commence pushing, when the pop is heard and the waters flow out, the games begin.

With two big pushes and a lil blood Jennifer says that this is a task best done on her back, so the race is on for an opportunity to role to her back, it is then we relies that this will not be an easy task.

There was a moment of silence,…. and then there was THAT moment……., that moment when a man realizes that he is not, And, never will be the man,……, with an amazing display of strength and will……. this women begins to push in to the bed, she begins the raise her body in to the air, and once again times comes to a sudden stop.

As my wife rises from the bed I catch her eye, and in these eyes I see something, something I will never forget.

I believe this coz I am a man, and as a man I believe that men can do anything, especially anything better then woman…….but I am wrong, what I sore in her eyes was the most amazing thing.
I sore a god, a giver of life, an amazing display of strength and divosion………

I sore a MOTHER

I mother who would give the world for her young have it course her an emence amount of bodily pain and mental stress, have it mean she drag her tired, weary body though hot coils, have it mean no matter how hard life is it is nothing to her.

What is something to her is…….. THIS BOY……… no more then 9 minutes later we are blessed with the one and only

Oliver James Nissen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

As we walk down the hall and leave this war with the life’s we went in with, and new life for the sake of peace, I make one final slip in to thought.



I am a father, I am a husband, and I am blessed

[Shera]

Chels - You are such a champ -only 7mins pushing! I'm so glad you had the water birth you wanted. Grayson is soooooo gorgeous - I want another boy! And clever of you keeping the name secret!

[Shera]

Tyrah & Scott - Fantastic birth story seen from both mum & dad's perspective. Love the pics - what a beautiful family. Tyrah it sounds like you have the perfect birthing bod - well done.

[Electric Mumi]

How empowering it is to give birth and to read your stories girls! :yelclap:

I will write mine soon, just dont have the energy to write it all out yet.

[*Chels*]

Chels - You are such a champ -only 7mins pushing! I'm so glad you had the water birth you wanted. Grayson is soooooo gorgeous - I want another boy! And clever of you keeping the name secret!

Thanks hun!I pushed for over 2 hours with Riley so I wanted to get it over quicker this time:laughing:One of the first things I asked was how long it took of pushing,almost died when she said 7 mins!!!!:thumbsup:

[farmmummy]

It's fantastic reading every ones birth stories so here is mine pretty boring but hey...

My MIL and FIL came down on the Wednesday 8th (day before my EDD) to stay with us for a week.
Sarah and Jack they both arrived 2 days before EDD so I was expecting the same with Thomas. I had been going by my EDD which was the 9th that came and went and the Hospitals date the 11th (earliest scan) also came and went.
At about 12am Friday 10th I started having contractions then they would stop. So Matt stayed home with us just incase but nothing happened. After all the walking I had done during the week I didn't walk during the weekend because my pelvis was killing me. On the Sunday night Matt had told me that he was worried that bubs and I wouldn't come home (due to Sarah and the cat being so clingy and losing Jack last year) and asked me to call the hospital and talk to a midwife about the way contractions had been starting and stopping.

Monday 13th Matt went to work as normal I got up and began to clean the house and decided to call the hospital like Matt had asked. The midwife said that it's not unknown for contractions to begin uterus to say not ready yet and stop. Because I was a worry wart and was over the midwife asked if I wanted to make an appointment to see a midwife later in the day. So I made the appointment for 11:30am and went to tell MIL that we were going for a drive to Southbank. Before I got to open my mouth Sarah says "mummy's tummy sore, going to the doctors!".
Got in right on time then went in to the midwife they monitored me and while there I had at least 2 strong contractions that went off the graph paper. Then she did a mini S&S and said I had dialated 2-3cm not thinned properly and that I should go for a walk around Southbank maybe that would start things off. I had to decline as I had MIL & FIL with me, not only would they have to get out of the car park they would have no idea on how to get home to my place. So I drove them home (after stopping by to get Krispy Kremes and Macca's) got home and 1/2 hour later Matt arrived home from work. MIL, FIL, Matt and I took Sarah and Spot for a walk which started things moving a little more. We got home and had a chance to tidy ourselves up before going to Matt's Uncle's place for a BBQ dinner (10-15 minutes down the road).
Not long after I got there the pains started to increase and I looked at Matt and said "This is not a drill, this is the real thing I have the back pain" meaning bub is posterior and that's where and why I get the pain. As we sat at the table Matt's Uncle asked if there was any movement I told him this is it! FIL's jaw dropped and said "What!" - How stupid is he....hmmm. Any how I managed to eat my dinner between getting up and walking out my contractions.
After we'd all eatten Matt told his father to get up and moving, as I stood in th door way Fil tried to push me out of the door as I went thru a contraction...that is until I snapped his head off. Got out to the car and another hit...2 more on the way home (took mil, fil and Sarah home)
Matt rushed inside and grabbed his phone and my camera, I phoned the hospital while Matt called his work to say he wouldn't be in. I told the hospital that my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and I was on my way in for pain relief...then the journey began.
Matt drove in a hurry to the Mater Mothers for most of the drive Matt sat behind another car to stop him from speeding too much, I did point out that the police would take one look at me and understand. Got to the hospital the guard let us thru to the drop off point at about 7:50pm. While standing at the admissions desk I had another contraction while waiting for my midwife. Got into the birth suit and another contraction..."Matt thats less than 5 minutes appart":eek:. Matt went back to move the car, while gone I slipped into one of the beautiful hospital gowns and continued to walk my contractions out thinking bub was still posterior I asked for an epi. As soon as Matt got back in I was checked and 8cm so no epi that was at 8:05pm.
I was also told that bub was now in the right position I had managed to turn him and that was one of my fears taken care of. I climbed on the bed and said i really need the loo. Midwife said I could start pushing if I felt like it I had a little gas which was great...had it with Alana and didn't like it...this time whole new experiance great I was floating and to me my voice sounded funny too. The contractions were steady and the need to go to the loo was getting stronger until after a very loud "pop" there went my waters a few minutes later I had the "burning ring of fire" and at 8:49pm Thomas Martin was born all 8lb 12oz (3950grams) 52cm long, hair, and 36cm head circ. No wonder I was so uncomfy. He began to cry pretty much straight away which was a relief. I found out later that it was 12 minutes from when my waters broke to when Thomas was born not as quick as Chels but wow it was quick.
After I cleaned up they kept us in the birth suit until about 11ish they wanted to wait till change of shift in the ward then we went up. Matt waited till we were settled then headed home. While sitting in bed feeding Thomas I felt a lot of fluid, almost like a fountain or I'd wet myself. It didn't sit right for me so about 12:30am I rang for a nurse and waited still no nurse...stupid me didn't press the button hard enough. Finally a nurse arrived as soon as I showed her my gown and undies she hit an emergency button laid me down and people just appeared out of nowhere. They massaged my tummy and a huge clot about the size of a huge apple appeared (Tuesday night I finally passed another clot that had placenta attached-about the size of a golf ball- they say that's what caused the trouble even tho the midwife could have sworn the whole thing came out properly). I had needles jabbed into me, blood taken, drip and cathiter inserted; i wasn't in pain until they started working on me. Once I had the Syncronin drip entered they gave me maxilon and morphine via the drip and I clouded over.
Horrible coming out of the morphine the next day one minute I was awake next I was asleep then back to being wide awake. Took all day to come out of it completly. That night I was out of it and getting cranky because the cathiter was uncomfy and restricted my movements so I asked the midwife to remove it which she did eventually. I missed my husband, daughter and own bed heaps (although my bed wasn't too bad for a hospital bed) and I had a first time mum who didn't know what to do let her baby cry almost constantly so I was glad the next morning when they told me I could go home :smiliedance:. I had the doctor examin Thomas on the Tuesday and again on the Wednesday and gave us the all clear had his hearing test on the Wednesday as well.
Midwife on duty wasn't impressed that the doctors were letting me go so early but I was glad to be home and it was a great surprise to Matt and his two aunts who came to visit me as well. I'm now on iron tablets for a few weeks but I'm all good now tummy is almost back to normal too.
Thomas is a little gem and love being with him and I think Sarah has finally gotten use to the fact that he's still here which is good. She now knows Jack is in heaven and Thomas is her baby brother. Best thing for our family was the entrance of our little man, it's made his father smile and I think is helping him finally heal properly.

Pretty dull but thanks for reading

Nikki x

[~*clairesmum*~]

Thanks for sharig that was beautiful, n how scary about the blood clot... Glad thomas is a lil gem for u

Congrats