SammyD
27-09-2006, 13:49
Sorry this is so loooooong...!
After several weeks of bed rest and daily monitoring due to my blood pressure rising, I was booked in for an induction on Tuesday 5th September, which was the day after my due date. I had some contractions on the Saturday night prior but they didn't develop into anything, so after a nervous night's sleep, my DH and I duly turned up to the labour ward at 7.30am on the 5th September.
Prostaglandin gel was inserted at about 9.00am. My doctor said that my cervix was about 1cm dilated, the baby's head still quite high. I started to get mild contractions, 2-3 minutes apart, almost instantly. I had to stay in bed on the CTG monitor for about 20 minutes, but had negotiated with the midwives so that, apart from this initial monitoring, I could stay active and not be forced to lie down for any further monitoring. They continued to do 2 minute traces periodically throughout my labour but I was able to stand next to the monitor and rock through my contractions.
Once I was allowed to get up I started to walk! DH and I did some laps around the ward, and wandered up to the cafeteria to get a snack. The mild contractions continued to come regularly, but I didn't find them painful. After a while we returned to the delivery room, and I set myself up straddled over a chair, leaning on a pillow, and started doing some crosswords to pass the time. I found this position incredibly comfortable - so much so that I thought my contractions had stopped until I got up and started walking around again - they were definitely still there!
My doctor returned at 2.00pm to break my waters. I found this a bit uncomfortable and was glad when it was over! At this point he said that although I hadn't dilated any further, my cervix was now quite soft and the baby's head had descended quite a lot. After my waters were broken I noticed the intensity of the contractions pick up straight away. I had a shower and decided to stay in there for a while on a chair, as I found the hot water soothing. I felt excited because I could feel things were starting to move along now, and I felt completely in control of my pain.
We decided to go for another walk and wandered around until I got to the point where I had to stop and lean on my DH during contractions. So it was back to the delivery room and straddling the chair. Most of my pain was in my back so I started using a TENS machine. I found it useful in that it distracted me from the pain, but after only a few more contractions the pain moved to my tummy and the TENS machine became useless. I got back in the shower and sat on my chair. During contractions I ran the hot water over my lower abdomen while my DH put a hot pack and counter pressure on my lower back. This was really comforting and I was still feeling calm, positive and in control.
After a while I started to feel cold and felt like getting on the floor over a bean bag. DH organised this for me and so I was on my hands and knees during contractions, DH rubbing my back, and resting over the bean bag in between. I was still feeling in control and although I had to breathe and concentrate during my contractions, the pain was quite manageable.
My doctor returned again at 6.00pm and after examining me said that I was about 3 - 4 cm dilated. He said not to expect a baby before midnight. He was heading off to a video conference within the hospital and said he would come back when it was over (9.30pm) to see how I was going. He wrote up a prescription for pethidine for me (not that I asked for one!), and told the midwives that if I needed it within the next two hours I could have it without a further examination.
This knocked my confidence a bit and I wish I had just been allowed to labour without being told how dilated I was and given a time estimate. I got back on the floor over my bean bag and within minutes I started having huge contractions. Thinking I still had a long way to go, I asked for gas as I didn't think I would be able to cope with that level of intensity for long.
The gas was some relief, but I was having trouble timing it so that it was effective during the peak of my contractions - I was finding that it was only becoming effective at the end of the contractions. I asked for it to be turned up, hoping that a higher dose would become effective more quickly, and this was a bit better, but I was still feeling the huge contractions. DH had been by my side constantly, stroking my arms and rubbing my back, but I found that with the gas his touch was making my whole body tingle and I asked him to stop.
It must have been only a few minutes later (it was about 7.00pm) that I noticed a break between the contractions, then when they came back they had changed - I felt like I needed to push! Through my gas-induced haze I sent my DH for the midwife, who came running in a few seconds later. They found me grunting away on the floor trying hard not to push but finding the urge too strong! I had to be helped up on to the bed where I was examined first by one midwife, then another for confirmation - I was fully dilated and had dilated 6 - 7 cm in one hour!
My doctor was called in from his conference but my urge to push was so strong that there was no way I was waiting for a doctor - I could feel the baby moving down - she was coming no matter what! By the time the doctor arrived at full sprint (I think it's been a while since he had to move that fast!) and gowned up, the baby's head was crowning.
I still had hold of the gas mouthpiece, and when the midwife tried to take it off me I wouldn't let it go! It felt like a security blanket and she said I could hang on to it as long as I didn't suck on it. So with one hand gripping the gas, and the other gripping my DH's hand, I set to work pushing out my baby!
Abbie Rose was born at 7.33pm after a 17 minute 2nd stage (about 4 contractions!). She was only 2720g (6lb) and 47.5cm. She was born pink and perfect with Apgars of 9 and 9. The moment she was put on my tummy is one that I will never forget! My DH and I were both crying from pure joy and relief. After a few minutes DH cut the cord and then my doctor got hold of our camera and started taking photos for us - he spent more time doing this than he had delivering the baby!
My whole labour and delivery was such a powerful, positive experience - I just loved it and I can't wait to do it again! I felt so empowered and full of adrenalin that I felt like I could do anything - and I didn't sleep at all that night. I also managed to come out of it with no stitches!
Abbie is gorgeous and amazes us and makes us laugh every single day. We are so blessed! :D
After several weeks of bed rest and daily monitoring due to my blood pressure rising, I was booked in for an induction on Tuesday 5th September, which was the day after my due date. I had some contractions on the Saturday night prior but they didn't develop into anything, so after a nervous night's sleep, my DH and I duly turned up to the labour ward at 7.30am on the 5th September.
Prostaglandin gel was inserted at about 9.00am. My doctor said that my cervix was about 1cm dilated, the baby's head still quite high. I started to get mild contractions, 2-3 minutes apart, almost instantly. I had to stay in bed on the CTG monitor for about 20 minutes, but had negotiated with the midwives so that, apart from this initial monitoring, I could stay active and not be forced to lie down for any further monitoring. They continued to do 2 minute traces periodically throughout my labour but I was able to stand next to the monitor and rock through my contractions.
Once I was allowed to get up I started to walk! DH and I did some laps around the ward, and wandered up to the cafeteria to get a snack. The mild contractions continued to come regularly, but I didn't find them painful. After a while we returned to the delivery room, and I set myself up straddled over a chair, leaning on a pillow, and started doing some crosswords to pass the time. I found this position incredibly comfortable - so much so that I thought my contractions had stopped until I got up and started walking around again - they were definitely still there!
My doctor returned at 2.00pm to break my waters. I found this a bit uncomfortable and was glad when it was over! At this point he said that although I hadn't dilated any further, my cervix was now quite soft and the baby's head had descended quite a lot. After my waters were broken I noticed the intensity of the contractions pick up straight away. I had a shower and decided to stay in there for a while on a chair, as I found the hot water soothing. I felt excited because I could feel things were starting to move along now, and I felt completely in control of my pain.
We decided to go for another walk and wandered around until I got to the point where I had to stop and lean on my DH during contractions. So it was back to the delivery room and straddling the chair. Most of my pain was in my back so I started using a TENS machine. I found it useful in that it distracted me from the pain, but after only a few more contractions the pain moved to my tummy and the TENS machine became useless. I got back in the shower and sat on my chair. During contractions I ran the hot water over my lower abdomen while my DH put a hot pack and counter pressure on my lower back. This was really comforting and I was still feeling calm, positive and in control.
After a while I started to feel cold and felt like getting on the floor over a bean bag. DH organised this for me and so I was on my hands and knees during contractions, DH rubbing my back, and resting over the bean bag in between. I was still feeling in control and although I had to breathe and concentrate during my contractions, the pain was quite manageable.
My doctor returned again at 6.00pm and after examining me said that I was about 3 - 4 cm dilated. He said not to expect a baby before midnight. He was heading off to a video conference within the hospital and said he would come back when it was over (9.30pm) to see how I was going. He wrote up a prescription for pethidine for me (not that I asked for one!), and told the midwives that if I needed it within the next two hours I could have it without a further examination.
This knocked my confidence a bit and I wish I had just been allowed to labour without being told how dilated I was and given a time estimate. I got back on the floor over my bean bag and within minutes I started having huge contractions. Thinking I still had a long way to go, I asked for gas as I didn't think I would be able to cope with that level of intensity for long.
The gas was some relief, but I was having trouble timing it so that it was effective during the peak of my contractions - I was finding that it was only becoming effective at the end of the contractions. I asked for it to be turned up, hoping that a higher dose would become effective more quickly, and this was a bit better, but I was still feeling the huge contractions. DH had been by my side constantly, stroking my arms and rubbing my back, but I found that with the gas his touch was making my whole body tingle and I asked him to stop.
It must have been only a few minutes later (it was about 7.00pm) that I noticed a break between the contractions, then when they came back they had changed - I felt like I needed to push! Through my gas-induced haze I sent my DH for the midwife, who came running in a few seconds later. They found me grunting away on the floor trying hard not to push but finding the urge too strong! I had to be helped up on to the bed where I was examined first by one midwife, then another for confirmation - I was fully dilated and had dilated 6 - 7 cm in one hour!
My doctor was called in from his conference but my urge to push was so strong that there was no way I was waiting for a doctor - I could feel the baby moving down - she was coming no matter what! By the time the doctor arrived at full sprint (I think it's been a while since he had to move that fast!) and gowned up, the baby's head was crowning.
I still had hold of the gas mouthpiece, and when the midwife tried to take it off me I wouldn't let it go! It felt like a security blanket and she said I could hang on to it as long as I didn't suck on it. So with one hand gripping the gas, and the other gripping my DH's hand, I set to work pushing out my baby!
Abbie Rose was born at 7.33pm after a 17 minute 2nd stage (about 4 contractions!). She was only 2720g (6lb) and 47.5cm. She was born pink and perfect with Apgars of 9 and 9. The moment she was put on my tummy is one that I will never forget! My DH and I were both crying from pure joy and relief. After a few minutes DH cut the cord and then my doctor got hold of our camera and started taking photos for us - he spent more time doing this than he had delivering the baby!
My whole labour and delivery was such a powerful, positive experience - I just loved it and I can't wait to do it again! I felt so empowered and full of adrenalin that I felt like I could do anything - and I didn't sleep at all that night. I also managed to come out of it with no stitches!
Abbie is gorgeous and amazes us and makes us laugh every single day. We are so blessed! :D