Jamily
12-02-2007, 15:46
After having a text book first pregnancy and intervention and drug free waterbirth with DD, I was knocked sideways to be told at 34 weeks I was a 'high risk' pregnancy with my second baby due to IUGR. After 3 weeks of ctg's and ultrasounds (thankfully all of which showed that he was healthy although small) my blood pressure shot up and the Obs decided enough was enough and it was time to end the pregnancy.
So, on Friday 12 January (at 37 weeks) my induction was booked - fortunately the docs would allow me to attempt a vaginal birth because I really wanted to avoid a c-section if I could. As I was 2cm dilated I didn't need the gel the night before and at 7.30am DH and I arrived at hospital. After waiting for a room to be prepared and a few hours of ctg monitoring before we even got started, my waters were finally broken at 9.45am. I felt a few mild contractions but it wasn't until they started up the drip with syntocin an hour later that things started to happen.
The docs decided to keep the drip on a low dose for a few hours to make sure bubs could handle the contractions ok. Although the babys heart rate dipped a bit each time it was never to the point they were overly concerned and the pain was very manageable. At around 1pm they decided to up the syntocin and after an hour or so the contractions were unbearable. Having been through a natural birth before I had an idea of what my body could handle, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take much more without pain relief. The midwife checked to see how far along I was and announced I was 5cms but as it was my second baby things would 'be relatively quick'. Apparently my response was “get me an epidural or a gun NOW”! My midwife went off to call the anaesthetist and as she walked out the door I had what can only be described as unbelievable pain – I felt like I wanted to vomit and totally out of control, followed by a sudden thud in my pelvis and the urge to push. Having been told a few minutes before I was only 5 cms I became very confused and a bit distressed but thankfully my midwife and the Ob walked in a few seconds later. The Ob did an internal and announced the baby’s head was there and to push!!! 2 pushes and 2 minutes later my beautiful baby boy James arrived into the world. He was a tiny 2.33kg but totally healthy and perfect in every way and scored 9 and 10 on his Agpars.
I had no idea it was possible to dilate so rapidly and although it was over so quickly I would definitely have preferred a bit more time to adjust to each stage! I am also really grateful that again I managed to avoid any pain relief as minutes after giving birth I felt like it had never happened and was up and out of bed having a shower and cuddling my little boy.
We were allowed to leave hospital after a few days of monitoring and James didn’t have to go to special care which was awesome.
3 weeks on my gorgeous son is over 3kg and putting on an average of 300g a week. I am so proud of him and grateful to all those that looked after my pregnancy. Without their care and experience I am not sure what the outcome would have been.
Thanks for reading
So, on Friday 12 January (at 37 weeks) my induction was booked - fortunately the docs would allow me to attempt a vaginal birth because I really wanted to avoid a c-section if I could. As I was 2cm dilated I didn't need the gel the night before and at 7.30am DH and I arrived at hospital. After waiting for a room to be prepared and a few hours of ctg monitoring before we even got started, my waters were finally broken at 9.45am. I felt a few mild contractions but it wasn't until they started up the drip with syntocin an hour later that things started to happen.
The docs decided to keep the drip on a low dose for a few hours to make sure bubs could handle the contractions ok. Although the babys heart rate dipped a bit each time it was never to the point they were overly concerned and the pain was very manageable. At around 1pm they decided to up the syntocin and after an hour or so the contractions were unbearable. Having been through a natural birth before I had an idea of what my body could handle, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take much more without pain relief. The midwife checked to see how far along I was and announced I was 5cms but as it was my second baby things would 'be relatively quick'. Apparently my response was “get me an epidural or a gun NOW”! My midwife went off to call the anaesthetist and as she walked out the door I had what can only be described as unbelievable pain – I felt like I wanted to vomit and totally out of control, followed by a sudden thud in my pelvis and the urge to push. Having been told a few minutes before I was only 5 cms I became very confused and a bit distressed but thankfully my midwife and the Ob walked in a few seconds later. The Ob did an internal and announced the baby’s head was there and to push!!! 2 pushes and 2 minutes later my beautiful baby boy James arrived into the world. He was a tiny 2.33kg but totally healthy and perfect in every way and scored 9 and 10 on his Agpars.
I had no idea it was possible to dilate so rapidly and although it was over so quickly I would definitely have preferred a bit more time to adjust to each stage! I am also really grateful that again I managed to avoid any pain relief as minutes after giving birth I felt like it had never happened and was up and out of bed having a shower and cuddling my little boy.
We were allowed to leave hospital after a few days of monitoring and James didn’t have to go to special care which was awesome.
3 weeks on my gorgeous son is over 3kg and putting on an average of 300g a week. I am so proud of him and grateful to all those that looked after my pregnancy. Without their care and experience I am not sure what the outcome would have been.
Thanks for reading