Mischief's birth story from her husbands perspective

[FarmerBlog]

I thought that I would write Mischief’s birth story from the husbands view

Once upon a time…

It all started on Friday the 26th of September 2008 at 1:00am, here I was sound asleep and not snoring when I was awoken by Mischief telling me that her waters had broken and that contractions are every 5 minutes lasting for at least 30 seconds. So up I jump and run around like a freak making sure everything is ready to go, when I was told that there is no rush.
We walk to the car and begin the 65k drive into hospital. It was an experience to say the least, but thankfully there was no wildlife on the road tonight.
Turn the corner into Liverpool St and there is a park staring right at us, so in I duck. Grab all 4 bags and help Mischief out of the car, when she turns to me and says that her waters have really broken this time. I take a quick look down and see her standing in a small pool of water, walk across the St and have a quick look behind to see a snail trail following us.
We are greeting by Christa our friendly midwife who tells us that she is REAL labour this time. We are taken into a birth suite where Kat is examined, things are moving quickly now. She is dilated and thinning. So off she goes to have a HOT shower and leaves me to feel helpless all by myself.
I check on her every 30 seconds asking if there is anything I can do, she replies by giving me the contraction death stare.
Christa is checking her stats every 5-10 minutes and BP and heart rate are all good.
Things are still progressing but not as quick as some and before we know it, its 5am and I am told to go and move the car into a car park. So off I trot but not happy as last time I left Kat while she was in labour I came back to have a doctor waiting for me at the door telling me to hurry up and get these scrubs on and Kat has to go into theatre.
I park the car and start the long walk back in, wondering what has happened. I open the door and hear the shower running and feel a sense of relieve.
Kat comes out and lies on the bed, to try and ease the contraction pains and also try and catch a few zzz’s.
I thought that she had finally nodded off for a minute when she tells me that she needs the spew bag NOW... A few power chucks later she has a pethidine injection with a shot of maxalon for the pain and to try and settle the tummy.
The pethidine has done nothing for the pain so time to try the gas and not the type that has been coming out of her for the last 40 weeks.
The clock strikes at 8am and Christa comes in to say goodbye and tells Kat that she is doing great and we will be having a baby shortly. But unfortunately the gas hasn’t helped and she asks Christa for an epidural and the pain has become unbearable. We are told to try and hold off and keep using the gas and that you are stronger than you think.
Kat jumps back into the shower with her 5m cord connected to the gas. I hear a knock on the door and Jane comes in and tells me that she is going to take care of us and starts checking that all the equipment works, I have a chat to her about things and mention that Kat has started asking for an epidural, but she had one with Oliver and wanted to try without one this time around.

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Jane sticks her head into the shower to say hi and chat about having an epidural, we are informed that if she wants one between the contractions it is better to have an epidural rather than pushing thru.
So off we go into another room near the nurse’s station to have the epidural. We are about to leave when poor Jane breaks Kat’s rule number 1 NEVER EVER touch her while she is having a contraction. It would be a mistake that she only ever makes once.
We settle into the new room and hook up the gas and wait for what seems to be an eternity before the anesthetist comes in and asks 101 questions.
By now it is 8:20am and Jane is checking all the equipment is correct and operational, and the anesthetist is putting on her scrubs and setting up the horse needles.
Before I can blink Kat is on her side and getting ready to feel no pain. The epidural is in and then the ice test begins but Kat has full feeling down her left side, but we are told that it could take up to 20 minutes before she feels or in this case doesn’t feel anything.
15 minutes later Kat is having painless contractions of the right hand side but not so lucky on the left.
Kat is hooked up to the drip and a baby monitor. Contractions are now about 1 minute apart and lasting for 30+ seconds.
Kat begs for Jane not to put in a catheter, put it is part of having an epidural.
Jane pages for the anesthetist to come back in and adjust the epidural. A few shakes later and Kat is starting to lose feeling, thankfully.
Jane does a physical and Kat has thinned out and nearly fully dilated, which is awesome news.
But then I take a look at the baby monitor and George’s heart rate drops into the low 70’s while Kat has a contraction but then returns to 140+. Jane notices this as well and keeps a very close eye on it, when she pages for the resident ob to come in and monitor Kat and George.
He has a look at the printout of the baby’s heart rate and tells Kat to try and roll over onto her other side to see if that helps. Rolling over makes it worse and the heart rate is taking longer to return to normal.
We need to get this baby out right now I hear him telling us. By now the heart rate has dropped to below 60 bpm.
I am standing right next to Kat telling her how wonderful she is and that we are about to have a baby.
He tells Kat that he needs to lower or stop the epidural so she can feel when to push, all 5 foot nothing of Jane stands up straight and tells him that it will not be stopped or turned down. Kat agreed to turn it down a little bit to help with the pushing, but I didn’t want Kat to be back in pain again as standing there helpless is the absolute hardest thing to do.
The OB gets into his scrubs and puts Kat up into the stirrups. He really means business now I think to myself.
I take a look at the monitor and George’s heart rate is dropping into the low 50’s and I can feel a HUGE lump in my throat start to take hold.
He holds up a ventouse and starts to explain what he is about to do, but as we went down this path with Oliver we are fully aware of what is happening.
Kat is told to push like she is pushing a Commodore up hill, and my little warrior does exactly as she is told. Yes unbelievable I know. When the ventouse comes off George’s head with an almighty rush. He starts to put the ventouse back on when the attending OB

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comes in tells us that we HAVE to go and have a c section, Just then Jane sticks her heckles up and tells him that we are not going anywhere, closely followed by the resident supporting her.
A few pushes later the attending is telling us again that we HAVE to have a c section, but again Jane comes to the rescue. The attending comes closer for another look and tells the attending to hurry up and get this baby out.
Kat is still pushing as hard as ever when we are told that the baby hasn’t fully turned and needs to be turned.
The resident needs to give Kat a small episiotomy to allow George to be aligned. George is now ready to come out and give his mum a cuddle.
I have a quick look up at the clock so Kat can’t see the tears starting to fill my eyes and I notice that it is almost 11am.
Kat is told to give a massive push, and then George’s head begins to appear, almost there now I whisper to Kat. She gives another push and the head is now out. I look and see George’s head for the first time, but I notice that the cord is around his neck and he is blue. I tell Kat that she is amazing and we are almost there and just keep pushing. The resident slips the cord back over George’s head and tells Kat to PUSH.
Then out of the womb appears our second baby. Jane cuts the cord as time is more important than asking me to do it. Jane carries him over to the Pediatrician, when Kat ask’s me what did we had, we both look over at the same time and have a view straight between his legs and notice the dangly bits and both say a boy.
The pediatrician and Jane are working there magic with George, while the resident and another midwife are helping Kat push out the placenta.
Kat asks me what is wrong with George and why he hasn’t made a noise. I reassure her that everything will be fine, then after 3 minutes George decides it is about time to start wearing pink and screams his protest as pink is for Girls, Mods and Big Bad Brad. This is the equal happiest time as a dad.
10 minutes have past now and George has passed the test and Jane hands him to Kat for a cuddle. George immediately takes this as meaning feed time, now where is that nipple…
Kat is sewn up and taken out of the stirrups, I look down and see a pool of blood that could fill the Olympic pool. I’m told not to worry as this is normal.
I thank the resident for everything and then the tears begin for me.
It takes Jane about 10-15 minutes to clean up the fluids on the floor and multiple bins.
It is now time for Kat to come off the epidural.
Kat and I are both looking at George and each other in a wonderful moment of complete happiness.
It is around 12pm when we decide that we should tell our parents and close friends.
I am allowed to hold George now for the first time and start to dress him, when Kat being Kat cons Jane into allowing her to walk into the toilet as she can feel her legs. I hear this dull thud then Jane screaming for me. I run over to the other side of the bed and I see what appears to be a wrestling match, which Kat is winning and Jane is on the floor.
We lift Kat back up into bed and tell her to take it easy and not rush.
We are then moved back into our room and Kat’s last task is to slide over onto the other bed.

Well that is my version of our birth story.

[Seekrit]

tears in my eyes as I read this... what a wonderful birth story from 'the other side'
Well done.

[westerner]

Fantastic story. Great to hear a dads experience..

LOVING the "snail trail"..:laughing: That gave me a good giggle, and so very very true..

[earthfairy]

Thank you so much for sharing this...:hugs:

I had tears in my eyes reading this from the males point of you...

I only hope that my DH is as brave & supportive as you....well done:thumbsup:

[misskittyfantastico]

Ahh, that birth sounds like it was bl00dy hard work - lucky you're both bl00dy hard workers.

Blessings to all the mischievious ones on the birth of George.

Thanks farmer man, for your perspective.

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

Awww its so lovely to hear a birth story from a Dads point of view. Well done:)

[Myztik]

Great story :yelclap:

[Tam-I-Am]

Awesome story - thanks for sharing your perspective! :D I loved the "contraction death stare" - it actually DID make me laugh out loud :laughing:

Congratulations Kat and FarmerBlog and Oliver too! :hugs: Welcome to the world, wee George!

[lavenderpegasus]

Your story was very nice to read. Great to hear one from the otherside.


lp in wa

[Leeny]

:laughing:.. Lovely to read a story from a dad :)

[Shakey]

what a lovely birth story

its great to hear what its like for the other side

congrats on your wee man :yelclap:

[Sammilee]

Thanks for sharing. It was great to get a different perspective. Congrats and enjoy the beauty of your wee lil' man.

[Ashleigh<3]

:yelclap::laughing:

One of the best birth stories I've read.
Well done. Wonderful to hear it from a male perspective. :)

Congrats Kat and farmerblog! :D

[Mahjong]

This is awesome! I love it when Dad's tell their side of the story when it comes to their children being born.

I did have a giggle at the contraction death stare, I think we women have that look down pat :p

Congratulations :D

[Moorish]

Great reading Steven! But you forgot the part after when Anna popped in for a 3 hour visit and brought apple tea cake muffins :cool: :D.

Congrats again guys! I feel privilaged to have already met George and had lots of cuddles! :yelclap:

[defaipe]

Awesome story - thanks for sharing your perspective! :D I loved the "contraction death stare" - it actually DID make me laugh out loud :laughing:

hahahaha! me too!

congratulations!!

[Mischief]

I have to say that reading Steven's view point of the story made me laugh and cry. I cant belive what he could see though his eyes, because he never let on how bad things were.

HIM being so calm kept me calm, I never realised that George was in that much danger.

As for the wrestling match with the midwife... :laughing:... I could feel my feet, I was SURE I could walk! LOL It really was one of those moments that we will be able to look back on and laugh about in years to come. Poor little Jane. She was simply amazing.

Between Steven and Jane I felt safe and strong. They were both so supportive and stood up for me when I couldnt do it for myself.

And at the end of the day we have another healthy and beautiful young man. And that is the most important thing in the world. :yes:

[TrulyBlessed]

Steven - thanks for a good read & giggle at some parts. Its nice to hear how it went from another view point.

Kat - You did amazingly well sweetheart & so glad you had 2 strong people there standing up for what you wanted. :hugs: I don't think I could have asked for a better friend to share my pregnancy with.

Steven, Kat & Oliver congratulations once again on the safe arrival of George.

[missmilliesmum]

What a well told story Steven and big hugs for Kat for doing so well! I had goosebumps reading it! What a beautiful name you (eventually!) chose for your second born. Hope George has settled in nicely to your lovely little family!
xo Sarah (One of Kat's Septemberry sms buddies!)

[reAllytee]

Oh Kat :hugs::hugs:

You are amazing ... Really you are !!!!

Thanks Steven for a great insight !

Im another who had to laugh about the contraction death stares :laughing:

[WorkingClassMum]

:yelclap: That was terrific!

I'd loveto get MOTH to read and do the same thing


And oh Yes THE RULE Do Not Touch Me While I'm Having A Contraction -

[MummyStar]

Congratulations! There should be designated car parks for Husbands/Partners of Wives/Partners in Labour so that they don't have leave mid-labour to move the car. When we arrived at the hospital DH walked me to the Labour Ward & then had to run off & move the car out of the drop off area. Enjoy your new addition:yelclap:.

[red crayon]

Congratulations to Kat, FarmerBlog and Oliver on the arrival of George :yelclap:

Thanks for telling the story Mr Mischief - I had a good laugh too.

[Mischief]

Steven - thanks for a good read & giggle at some parts. Its nice to hear how it went from another view point.

Kat - You did amazingly well sweetheart & so glad you had 2 strong people there standing up for what you wanted. :hugs: I don't think I could have asked for a better friend to share my pregnancy with.

Steven, Kat & Oliver congratulations once again on the safe arrival of George.
Wow, sorry, neither Steven or I realised that so many people had replied. I only noticed just now when taking a walk down memory lane. :hugs: Thank you everyone.

Amy - I couldnt have asked for someone better to share my pregnancy with either. Highs and lows, and lots of TMI... but friends for life I hope! :) Maybe one day we will even meet up IRL and the boys and Abbie can play!

Ally - Thank you for all your encouragement and support too! You helped me so much! :hugs: