The birth of Toran James

[Grizabella]

I was due on the 14th Oct and was in prelabour from 37 weeks. Unfortunately it did jack and by 41+1 I was sore (sciatica from 11 weeks bad enough for me to be told to stop working) fed up and tired! That Monday I went to the hospt for my induction. They were going to check to see if I had progressed much and whether or not they would need to use the gel that night before breaking my waters the next day. I figured knowing my luck I would be dialated neough to be sent home and come back in the morning.

I went to get my internal, and a lovely female Ob checked me out. I was 1.5cms (way to go prelabour - that was a painful effort for NOTHING) Luckily for me - though I was technically dialted enough for my waters to be broken the next day, the Ob decided to use a half dose of gel to soften my cervix further so it would be more favourable the next day.

Back at my room I ate a bloomin awful dinner (mmm baked fish and asparagus sauce...BLUGH! ) and watched TV, Stu went home to get some sleep before the big day. About 8:30pm I started to get some niggles, but I didn't put too much stock into them as they weren't very strong at all. I just decided to relax and keep an eye on them.

By 10:30pm they were definately there and definately contractions. I buzzed my nurse and let her know what was going on. She smiled at me (kinda like you would at a child who just said something very silly and naive) and said she'd be back at 11pm for my second lot of gel and that I should try and get some rest for tomorrow. I tried to explain that my first labour progressed pretty darn quickly and she smiled at me again and left the room. Don't think she took me seriously

After she left my contractions picked up a notch so I decided to go and get some sandwiches from the kitchen, and then walked up and down the corridor eating and counting through contractions.

At 11:30pm I was having to breathe through each contraction and I decided to buzz the nurse again. I let her know the contractions had picked up considerably, and she was more then a little shocked when I told her they were about 3 minutes apart and15 seconds long. She put me on the monitor and I was actually having contractions 2.5minutes apart and they were 10 seconds long. After that she took things a little more seriously and took me to the labour room (which was the same room I gave birth to Brion in).

I had rung Stu previously and got him to come back, I also asked him to bring some Twin Poles with him (figured I may as well take advantage of my cravings while it lasted ) He came well stocked and we set in for the wait.

By 12 the contractions were pretty bitey - I was pacing through them, power waddling even and it got to a point where that didn't help anymore. So Stu ran me a bath and I hopped in for a bit. It sucked, didn't help at all - so I got out and resumed pacing.

When they became unbearable to walk through (about 12:30am) I hopped up on my knees and lent over the back of the bed. Before I did this though the midwife checked me - I was 4cms, and she broke my waters for me to help things along. I rocked and breathed through the contractions as best as I could, and then they got SORE. It was at this point Stu said that I enforced my "Speak and Die" rule. For some reason everytime someone spoke - whether to me or each other - or I tried to speak to them, I would get a massive contraction that hurt like all buggery. So in my fuzzy mind it seemed logical that No Speaking = Milder Contractions. It didn't really work, but I decided to stick to my rule in the off chance that it would.

At 12:45ish the contractions had worn me out totally. I decided to ask for gas and after the first puff promptly threw up. The first time it wasn't so bad - Twin Poles taste OK on the way back. Second time wasn't as nice - sandwiches aren't so crash hot on return. As for the last lot - I have one thing to say...Fish and Asparagus sce....

By this time I had had enough. After 31 weeks of severe back pain, struggling with fatigue, this lot contractions were the last straw. Despite my fear of needles near my spine, I asked for an epi. I started to have a bit of a panic attack, and was given some Pethadine to help calm me and ease the pain. As for the epi - it never came. The anaesthetist was in surgery and then had to go see another lady in labour who had asked for one first. Then on his way to her there was complications in the surgery and he had to go back to attend. They tried to tell me but apparently I looked a little feral when they started so they just left it alone If I had of been thinking clearly enough I would have realised that I was in transition. I got the same way with Brion's birth, and had peth then too, though I didn't ask for an epi - mind you I had very little back pain with his pregnancy.

The time was 1:30am and I decided that being on my knees was not helping things and I was tired so I lay on my side. This was much easier and I managed after that not to make any noise through the contractions. Stu said it was very creepy as I still wouldn't let anyone talk so the room was in complete silence.

At 1:45am I got the urge to push - the middie was a little surprised that I was fullly dialated, it had been about 1.5hrs since she last checked me. I had learnt from Brion's birth not to panic and push the head out too quickly (I tore with him), so I took my time and worked with my contractions. When I say took my time - I took 7 minutes. Toran James was born at 1:52am Tues morning.

I was a little stoned from the Peth, so barely remember birthing the placenta, but my first cuddle was fantastic. Stu then had a big cuddle with us and we went back to my room.
Toran is very healthy and a joy to look after. Stu is a very proud Dad, and Brion adores his little brother!We are very happy with our little family - and have decided that we are complete. No more children for us

STATS:
Name: Toran James
D.O.B: 23/10/07
Weight: 9lb 1.5oz
Length: 53cm
Head circ: 37cms

PICS

[Jinglebells]

aww lovely story Jude

Toran looks absolutly gorgeous

congrats again chick

[cmd'smum]

AAWWWWW Well done babe!! Toran is absolutely gorgeous! Brion looks like such a proud big bro! What an amazing birth!

[punkbaby]

His adorable wow he come quick!! Thanks for sharing

[mumx3littlies]

Congratulations on the arrival of Toran Well done and his name is great!

[caz]

Congrats on the brith of your son Toran

[TeamAwesome]

Congrats again Jude, Toran is an adorable baby! Love the placating nurse story.

[erinp]

Congratulations Jude. A great story and some gorgeous photos too!! Thanks for sharing

[westerner]

Great story Jude..
Cant wait to meet the little man..

You just beat me, by 24hrs..

[tooshypanda]

Congrats - I knew your bubba would be a bigish one

What hospy did you have him in? (Planning for my future )