My first pregnancy went really well, it was something that I longed for and wanted so much. I felt calm about the whole birthing process and was looking forward to the experience of pushing my baby out. However that was not to be.
After going a 14 days overdue I was booked in for induction. I was contacted by the hospital the night before to say not to come in but to ring first as they were busy. This made me very anxious as I was aware the further overdue you go the more chance of a still birth plus the fact I was about to burst as I was so large!
I did go in as planned and at 1pm on the Tuesday 7 July 2001 I was given a pessary to induce me. I then had mild contractions by 4pm and felt very uncomfortable by 8pm. Tens machine and baths didn't seem to work. I felt I was in constant pain. To cut a long story short I ended up labouring through out the night. The baby was in the posterior position and I seemed to be in constant pain rather than having a break between contractions. Gas and Air just did not work and I begged for an epidural but was fobbed off and given two doses of pethidine instead. I had no support from the midwives.
At 6am I was 5cm dilated and they broke my waters to find meconium stained fluid. The pain then intensified. I was very distressed. At 8am they lost the heart beat of the baby and it was panic stations. They eventually found it and decided to take blood from his head to determine his oxygen levels. This showed he was in distress and I needed an emergency C section. I was then given an epidural and felt much calmer. I was wheeled down, petrified I would feel every slice of the knife. After a few minutes I heard a cry then nothing. I had dreamed of my baby being placed on my chest. I had to ask "What is it?" The response "Oh, a boy." He was fine but unbeknown to me I was haemorrhaging. They stitched me up and then left me to care for my whopping 9lb90z baby boy, who incidentally was a picture of health.
Once home my scar opened and I got an infection. I breastfed but got mastitis. I couldn't drive and friends and family did not live close by. I felt robbed and cheated and depressed but ultimately guilty for feeling this way as I still had a healthy baby boy. I knew I wanted more children, but not for a while and not in the same way my son was born.
I fell pregnant again in Dec '04 - much to my surprise! I knew I wanted a VBAC but was worried I would have another large baby. My dating scan was due at 15wks but at 14wks I started to haemorrhage at work. I was admitted to hospital where I awaited what I though was an inevitable miscarriage but a scan 2 days later showed a live foetus but no explanation for the heavy blood loss. My dating scan the following week showed an empty sac next the full one. I had lost a twin. I bled for another 3 weeks, convinced I was going to lose this baby but my pregnancy progressed well.
I was monitored and scanned regularly by the hospital to check the size of the baby which was proving to be large. From 37 weeks I tried everything possible to go into natural labour: membrane sweeps, pineapple, sex etc etc.
A scan at 38 wks showed the bay wasn^Òt as big as first predicted so I did not book at date for a section. At 38+2 I had a membrane sweep. At 38+4 I had a show and later that night mild contractions. I was overjoyed that I was experiencing going into labour naturally.
The contractions came through out the night and I sat on my ball. They were uncomfortable but I could cope. I went into hospital at 6am on the Sunday morning. However I was only 2 cm so they sent me to the ward. I was left to get on with it but the contractions died off. I asked to go home but they said lets monitor you first. 2 Hours of monitoring showed decelerations in the heart rate but I remained positive.
At 10pm my waters broke and soon the real pain started. At 11pm I was examined and was 3cm. I was prepared for a long hard night and was wheeled down to the delivery suite. I was given a brilliant midwife who listened to me when I said I don't want pethidine but I do want an epidural. This was swiftly arranged. At 12.30 this was administered and I was told to get some sleep and the lights were dimmed. I was being constantly monitored and I was so calm.
At 2.45 am I was awoken by the midwife and a Dr who said the were decelerations again and they may have to take some blood from the babys head. I thought history was going to repeat itself but I remained calm as deep down I was still expecting a C section. I was examined then and the midwife said I was fully dilated and the head had descended. I was left to let the head descend further and then spent an hour of active pushing. It was really hard work but I was SO determined to get this baby out. I was told it was too lying in the posterior position and I needed to be cut. I couldn't feel any pain so I didn't mind. At 05.42 my second son made his entrance to the world, albeit face up and with cord wrapped around his neck 5 times. I was so lucky to have had him. I really enjoyed the whole experience and was so happy I got the birth I always dreamed of. A good midwife really did make all the difference. 8 weeks on I am enjoying motherhood again so much more and I am contemplating having my 3rd child!!!!!
Many of my friends who had sections chose an elective section for their 2nd child and tried to tell me that was the best option. When they saw me up and about in the shops 3 days after giving birth they were astounded. I felt so well and still do. I feel lucky for being given the chance of a vaginal birth. If I do have a third I will give it a go but ultimately remember if the baby or myself are ever at serious risk then I would have a section.
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