Harrison Joseph, our Valentine's Day surprise! Yellow bump turned blue!

[mrsswaffer]

Hi all!!

Harrison Joseph Swaffer, born Thursday 14th February 2013 at 01:05am, 6lbs 1oz

Originally, I had planned for a water birth, but things went too quickly! From first labour signs to delivery, the total time was 4 hours 5 minutes!

A story of my 4 hour labour and birth of my lovely new son, Harrison. (Copied and pasted from a message sent to a friend on Facebook, as I don't have much time to type it all out again right now!).

I was 39 weeks on Wednesday, and settling to watch One Born Every Minute at 9pm. Went for a wee and there was pink when I wiped. 10 mins later, I was experiencing a pain in the tops of my legs/bottom of bump lasting 40 secs at 10 mins apart. Used a timer app to time them and they were getting stronger and more frequent. I was in denial at this point - thought it was false labour. Called Alex at work and told him what was going on, then phoned the midwifery unit to inform them too, and to get some advice. They said have a bath, take paracetamol and try to rest. I took paracetamol and got into my PJs. After this, at about 10:30pm, the pains were coming 5-7mins apart and I couldn't rest. Phoned Alex again, who wasn't due to finish work til late. Told him to come home and we should go to get checked out. I called the unit beforehand to get more advice because I was now bleeding red blood when I went to the loo. They advised us to get checked.

So, Alex was home at about 11:15pm,and we got the TENS machine on my back, made sure we had notes and bags etc and continued to time the contractions now coming every 3 mins! By now, I'd also had a 'clear out' bowel-wise, so I knew this was it.

Got in the car for our 40min drive to Ashford (though, it took 20 mins) at 11:45pm. Contractions now every 2 mins and so hard to bear, restricted in a car! I wanted to lean forward. Got to car park, couldn't walk without pain. Grabbed a wheelchair at the entrance. Rushed off down to the midwifery unit, got into our room and told them we'd like water birth. However, this baby wasn't waiting around! Kept feeling the urge to push, and hadn't even got my PJ bottoms off. They didn't do my blood pressure til after the birth!

So, they hooked me up to the gas and air and, between contractions, they checked me - fully dilated! I remember being so relieved and saying, "So I can push when I want?!"

Changed position on the bed so I was on my knees at the head of the bed, ready to get him out. Puffing away on g&a during contractions, squeezing the hell out of Alex's hand and pushing well. Waters broke while Harry was crowning and I got him passed to me through my legs, only to discover he's a boy!

From getting to the hospital to his birth was officially one hour. I guess I started pushing about 20mins after getting here, so a very fast labour! Had no tears, but three substantial grazes.

And that was that! Crazy crazy crazy! If/When we have another, we're opting for a home birth! I'd never get to Ashford on time! Hehe!

Still rather shocked that he's here to be honest, and not happy that we've not got breastfeeding down yet, but we'll get there. Home when we do! Can't wait to get home and sleep!

Update: We got home from hospital last night at 8pm, after they witnessed Harry feed for 15 minutes. We're still not quite there with feeding, but he's home and the midwife is happy with him so far.

 

[Chris77]

Congrats!

 

[Nixilix]

Speedy speedy labour! Always the best way although is mega intense! glad you made it to the hospital!!

Hope feeding resolves itself soon

 

[smileyfaces]

Well done, such a fast labour for your first time!! Conratulations! Harry is a little beauty! I knew you'd have a boy

 

[Newt4]

Congrats!

 

[mrsswaffer]

Harry, 1 day old.
https://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/859460_10152547844815114_158640216_o.jpg​

 

[Jembug]

His gorgeous! Well done you and wowzers what a labour x

 

[Nixilix]

Gorge xx

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Well done bex xxx

 

[Butterfly89]

Congratulations!!! He's adorable!

And love the name.

 

[mrsswaffer]

Oh wow, do our boys have the same birthday?

So, Harry has been having a few frustrating problems feeding. When we were in hospital, they wouldn't let me leave until they'd witness him at the breast for at least 10 minutes. We finally did that at 8pm and were discharged.

In the car on the way home, we listened to Brad Paisley, and his song 'Anything Like Me' made me melt in a pool of emotion!

I've been riding a high up until today. Hardly any sleep and feeding frustrations are taking their toll. On Saturday, we were worried Harry was only taking to the breast for 5 mins at a time, when he could be bothered to latch. We gave him a small Aptamil top up, which made me feel so guilty. However, he took his next feed after that for 40 mins on the breast!

Then, yesterday, we made our way down to Hastings, where all the family live, and Harry met everyone (though he's still yet to meet his uncle, who will be his godfather.). He fed so so well yesterday with no problems latching or staying there. The longest was for 25 mins. Our night was a different story though, and that led to a terrible day today (yesterday - I'm aware it's actually Tuesday now!). My milk came in on Sunday, and because he wasn't taking much overnight, my boobs became engorged. This made him not want them even more, and it was a vicious cycle.

We got back home, and my little boy was so frantic, it completely broke my heart. Plus, this was now the dreaded day 4 post-partum, so I was feeling it from all angles. My boobs were absolutely massive and so painful. My mum got me some large crop tops and loads more breast pads.

After all of this, topped with no sleep, we decided to express some milk and give it to Harrisob with a bottle. And again, just like with the Aptamil on Saturday, I felt so guilty and crap about it. He also really tested out his lungs because of the frustration with feeding, and we live in a flat! Everything to feel guilty about, I was!

However, throughout last night, I looked up breast engorgement, and somewhere advised massage and hand-expressing to comfort before a feed. So I did that, and Harry took my breast on the next feed!

The following feed (which I just finished) was the same. Taking to the breast for 10 mins. I'm so proud of my little man. We will crack this breastfeeding!

Off to bed now! I need sleep while he is grabbing 40 winks.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Glad your feeling better. Go easy on the guilt hun. Your doing just fine xx

 

[smileyfaces]

You have nothing to feel guilty about, you ate doing your very best for him and he is getting everything he needs! Keep up the good work!