~ * ~ July Beach Bumps ~ * ~

[BlueViolet]

Hey ladies,

Thanks for all the support. I didn't get a chance to catch up on much. I will once I get home either tomorrow or Saturday. I'm still at the hospital and it's never a dull moment. I've slept about 1.5hrs each night since the delivery. Jillian Gwen Vanderhoof was born at 12:51am on June 29th. She weighed 7lbs12oz and measured 20".

She is healthy and I'm managing after the c-section. I was flooded with so many bonding hormones once she gave her first cry that I got over everything that's happened since then. I started with a plan to have a natural birth, but things didn't progress as expected.

They started me on pitocin around 12hrs after my water broke (I was contracting, but it was not close enough and regular enough intervals so I wasn't given a choice at that point) and even with that I had stalled labor at 7cm. I struggled a lot and nothing worked. After over 9hrs of being at the 7cm transition phase and no change I gave in and had the c-section because it had been over 24hrs since my water broke and there was a huge risk of infection. I was experiencing back labor and it was not manageable at all. The hot tub was the best coping strategy. I tried just about everything. I exhausted all the natural pain relief methods and I was so tired and exhausted that I tried an epidural. They tried putting it in 4 different times and it didn't help at all. They offered to take it out and redo it and I just about lost it. I told them to take me out back and shoot me. I had started out really strong and breathed through each contraction and did visualization and I couldn't believe that I had lost control. The MW told me what I went through was not normal. On the bright side, we were never in danger. The vitals were good and steady for both of us. The c-section was done so quickly once it started that it was the best thing that I stopped fighting it. In the end, she is healthy and I'm glad to be done.

I attached some pictures.

I hope a much easier birth for everyone else that's left. My thoughts are with you all.

 

[Doodlepants]

Ahhh Blue she's ADORABLE!!! Congratulations!!!
You sound like a champ for going through all of that! I hope you're healing well
I hope you get some sleep soon
Congratulations again, she's precious!
x

 

[samzi]

shes gorgeous bv

afm - mw went well. aj is fully engaged now!!! didnt expect that but yeah. back again at 40+2 if no baby by then and she said she will do a sweep!

 

[curlew]

britt - congrats on reaching your due date.

Sqeeker - lovely scan picture. Enjoy having your sister and her BF for Canada Day.

Caz - hugs for having a horrible night. There is nothing worse than being in pain and being unable to get some much needed sleep. Glad you enjoyed your swim.

amanda - sorry the pineapple gave you and upset tummy. Hope your OB appt goes okay tomorrow.

Jenni - fingers crossed your acupuncture and reflexology help and you avoid a second c section.

SB - glad you managed to get some sleep. Fingers crossed active labour will start soon.

Mel - sorry you had a bad nights sleep. enjoy your curry. I just had one from asda Tikka masala and korma - very tasty. Bet your pram etc look lovely all ready for baby.

Mummyss - glad you had a good time with your friend and the journey wasn't too arduous.

Eve - wow you are so controlled in labour. Hope it goes as well for you with Atticus.

doodles - sorry you were sick last night. I have taken to sleeping slightly propped up with three pillows to stop the acid rising at night.

DM - naughty naughty forgetting your medication. Chill a bit remember doing too much kind of contributed to your depression the last time so take it easy.

Hann - sorry your pelvis is hurting so bad after swimming and walking. Definately a chill night for you tonight.

Wez - sorry your pelvis is feeling bad too. Glad you have a friend coming to stay with you who will be able to support you in labour.

BB - hope baby J is okay.

BV - congratulations on the birth of Jillian. Sounds like you had a torrid time but she is gorgeous and so totally worth it. Glad you are both doing well.

samzi - congrats on being fully engaged.

AFM - very restful day today. Took my car to be serviced and MOT so have been at home all day watching tennis, playing with DS and chilling with my mum. Car passed its MOT and have it back now so that was cool. A few things planned to do round the house tomorrow but nothing too strenuous as DH is in aberdeen on business and its around 2.5 hours away. So I dont want anything starting before he gets back tomorrow evening!!!

 

[Hann12]

BV she is totally gorgeous and I really appreciate you telling us your birth story. While it sounds scary its good to see what can happen in different circumstances. I am so glad that you are okay too. I hope that you enjoy your time with her

 

[MrsWez]

Congrats BV!! She is a cutie!

 

[caz_hills]

Simmy – glad you had a good trip to Clapham and that you’re back in one piece!

Wez – hope you don’t need to wait until Wednesday for things to progress – that is a long time still. Fingers crossed things progress for you.

BB – have you had any movement since you posted last? I hope so but if not, please get someone to check you out. They won’t mind and it will put your mind at rest I’m sure.

Hann – boo to indigestion – hope you’re feeling better.

Melissa – well done for doing the ironing. At this time, we should be saying that it’s too much – but just because I hate ironing! But I’ve started to iron for my husband before baby comes once baby comes, I’m sure I’ll be too tired!

Very jealous of everyone’s naps….. I really struggle to sleep in the day although hope that changes once baby comes along. I did a good session of my relaxation CD’s and breathing exercises so I’m hoping that had the same effect.

BV – thanks for posting your birth story, it was great to read and understand what happened. Sorry that things didn’t progress the way you wanted but it sounds like you were so strong and that everything worked out in the end. She is beautiful!

Samzi – great news about being fully engaged! All going well then!

Curlew – glad you had a relaxing day today and that your car passed its MOT! All sorted for another year and before baby comes, well planned!

AFM – hubbie and I planning on having ‘date night’ tonight, although he isn’t even home from work yet! But we haven’t spent much time together this week so think we’re going to go out for a nice meal. Has anyone else experienced this – my bump has sort of slightly indented in the middle where my belly button is. No pain or anything but looks a bit weird – maybe baby has moved? Also the bottom of my bump is SO itchy, around my stretch marks…. Anyone else had this?

 

[mummymarsh]

congrats BV she is a beaut....

and wez, where the heck is this baby lol xxx

 

[mummySS]

Awww BV she is gorgeous, look at those chubby cheeks! Adorable...

Well done for the birth, I know it didn't go the way you wanted it to but you did really well and should be proud of yourself. And the important thing is you have a beautiful healthy baby! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

xx

 

[Doodlepants]

Glad your car passed it's MOT Curlew, that's always a relief! I'm envious of you getting to watch the tennis- H has kept me busy all day- I'm going to see if there's some on now I really want to go to Wimbledon- maybe next year

Enjoy your date night Caz, the indentation thing is probably where your baby's moved- don't worry though, they usually move back- mine keeps shifting! I get itchy bump too- there's a thread on 3rd tri from someone who found a really good cream for it- I'm sure it's still on there, you'll have to have a look

 

[Hann12]

Caz - if you lie flat and the ridge is there then there is a chance that the baby is posterior. It might not be though, see where the kicks are too.

 

[MrsWez]

congrats BV she is a beaut....

and wez, where the heck is this baby lol xxx

lol, hiding. I have until wednesday then he's coming out by force. I'm exhausted, I'm trying to have maintain a positive attitude since I have waited a long time for this baby.

 

[melissasbump]

Wow BV, Shes a cutie, look at those cute chubby cheeks!!
Thanks for your birth story and hope you are recovering well!

Caz, enjoy date night, i havent had the itchy thing but heard its common in late pregnancy.

Curlew, yay for your car passing its MOT,thats one thing that always stresses me out, why! its a car for fecks sake! lol

Samzi, glad MW appointment went well

Hann and Doodles, hope you are having nice evenings!

AFM just got back from the indian restaraunt, OMG ive eaten way too much and am so uncomfortable now! Baby is jumping around like a mad thing and got a lovely lower backache! But it really was nice to get out and the food was lovely, think il be regretting it later, only been in 10 mins and been on the toilet twice! sorry TMI!, maybe curry really does induce labour.... lol

 

[Aaisrie]

BV She is a cutie. Your reaction during transition [especially being stuck there that long!] is TOTALLY normal. They say transition is like the wall that marathon runners hit where you want to give up.. I remember saying "I'm too tired I can't do this anymore" during that point.

Curlew I don't think I did anything, my body just did what it was meant to!! And I'm glad your car passed MOT!!!

Caz get some eurax for the itch it'll really help!!

Can't remember who else said what... pregnancy brain LOL

 

[Blue_bear]

Just got back from mat.unit. They were more than happy to check me. Thankfully all is well He had a good wriggle while on the ctg, as i just knew he would!

Am having tightenings showing on the ctg but still not strong enough or regular enough to be proper labour.

Also, i was examined by 2 different m/w's. The first was an old school been a mw for 30 years etc, really nice lady. Anyhow, my point is she put in my notes that he's 2/5ths. Yet the much much younger lady who i think was maybe an SHO or similar, has put that he was free....which i feel is rubbish because i definatly have a head down there!!

Just goes to show how examinations can differ!!

Congrats BV, Jillian is beautiful, hope your recovery is going well x

 

[Aaisrie]

BB they could have both been right!! He could have moved up - free they can still be head down!! They can move in and out of your pelvis so he might have moved in between them checking. Sometimes I can put my fingers between my pelvis and his head and push him higher and know he's free and other times he's too far down that I can't!

 

[Hann12]

Eve that sounds scary! I have no idea how far down mine is, I like to think pretty far but I have a feeling its more likely to be free still and bobbing in and out!

BB - big relief that he is okay - and contractions will hopefully build up soon!

 

[gw76]

BV Jillian is lovely! Congratulations! Hope you are feeling well - take care - gillian

 

[Doodlepants]

Glad he's OK in there BB!

Hopefully your curry's working well Mel!

I'm all alone again tonight M'd doing as much overtime as poss to make up for the money we'll loose when he has time off, bless him!

 

[DragonMummy]

Oh BV she's lovely. I just want to squeeze her cheeks!

afm - well who knew it could happen so quickly. PND has walloped me round the head. My wonderful stepmother told me a lovely little anecdote that no new mother should ever be told and now I am convinced something is going to happen to my Doodle and I have been crying non stop for nearly 2 hours now. Thanks then. I actually felt the threads of my sanity snapping as she was telling me. I even tried to stop her but she just carried on. Getting dragged to the MW tomorrow morning. Cannot WAIT for the happy pills to kick in so I can carry on enjoying my daughter instead of watching her obsessively to make sure she is still breathing.


Sorry to be so bleak....