Leliana
Mum to Pud
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- Mar 27, 2012
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So I should probably preface this by stating that my pregnancy was a fairly standard one that became complicated towards the end due to placenta praevia. Everything was going to plan until my 20 week scan discovered I had a low lying placenta. At 32 weeks this was not only confirmed but it also revealed that the placenta had migrated over the cervix and was completely covering it. By 36 weeks the placenta had made an attempt to move but was only 8mm from the OS and so I was told I would need a C Section due to inevitable bleeding. Added to this complication was the fact that my placenta was anterior and thus sitting in precisely the place the surgeon would need to make the incision. Due to both of these complications I was moved to Consultant-led care and it was decided that I would need to have a planned C Section at 38 weeks. There was a chance I could bleed quite heavily from the surgery and therefore I would also need a lot of blood waiting in case I needed an immediate transfusion, possibly under general anaesthetic. All very terrifying right?! So that was the position I was in on 29th October when I turned up at hospital to have my baby. My previous birth was a natural, vaginal birth in a midwife led unit so as a result I had no idea what to expect.
So here is my birth story! Warning - it is long!!
I was really pleased to make it to 38 weeks as I had started to show signs of heading towards natural labour. If I had gone into labour naturally I would have needed to be rushed by ambulance to hospital for an Emergency C-Section due to the massive risk of bleeding. My plug had come away the week before and baby was engaged. Unlike in my previous pregnancy I was desperately hoping baby would NOT come early and I tried everything in my power to keep LO inside!
On the 28th I spent the day with DH and DD, just enjoying our last day as the 3 of us. I also finished packing our hospital bags and made sure everything was ready. At 6pm that evening we dropped DD at my parents place and I became highly emotional when we said goodbye! DH and I went home as I couldn't eat after 8pm I had my final meal then took the Ranitidine tablet. I barely slept at all that night, I suddenly felt very excited and not at all scared. It was like Christmas was coming the next morning. I got up at 5am and had my last antibacterial shower plus a final drink of water before my 6am deadline, then woke DH. We headed out to the hospital in good time and I remember thinking how 'normal' everything was. It was so so different to DD's birth. I couldn't believe my son would actually be here. We got to the hospital at 7am and after being moved around to various places we were shown to the postnatal ward and given a bed.
After that everything seemed to happen really quickly! A really miserable midwife came to see me and asked me some questions, plus checked for baby's heartbeat. Thankfully I didn't have to see her again! I was given another round of Ranitidine and an anti-nausea tablet which I gratefully took as they gave me a small cup of water. Woohoo, fluids!!
Next up a LOT of people came to me to introduce themselves. I met my surgeon who was absolutely lovely. He told me that there were no emergencies on labour ward so I would be seen first that morning due to my complications. He was really nice and reassuring, I felt in really good hands. Next up I met the midwife that would be with me in theatre. She was also lovely and did another antenatal check. I could feel LO moving about inside me but it took them ages to find the heartbeat! I wasn't really scared, just amused! She told me that my bloods had gone missing and so they'd need to take some more. I wasn't happy about this as I'd been twice to have bloods done in the previous week. An MCA came in to take blood and she couldn't get anything out of me, almost certainly due to dehydration. I asked the midwife to double check with the transfusion team as my form had specifically stated I needed blood waiting for me on labour ward in case of an emergency. Thankfully they managed to find it! Phew! After this the senior anaesthetist came in to talk to me and introduce himself and then finally the senior theatre nurse. Everyone was happy to listen to how I felt and any requests I had written on my birth plan were thoroughly discussed which was brilliant.
After everyone had introduced themselves it all seemed to move at lightning speed. I was given my hospital gown and told to change, whilst DH got into scrubs. I remember telling DH it felt weird being in a dress without underwear! We took stupid photos of ourselves and were generally quite upbeat. Moments later a nurse appeared and told me it was time to go. It was literally in that second that the enormity of what was about to happen actually hit me. I walked down to theatre with a pillow and felt the most vulnerable I have ever felt. I said goodbye to DH outside and suddenly started to cry. I did feel about 12 years old! I took a deep breath and went into theatre and what happened after that is probably one of the most positive birth experiences I could ever ask for.
The room had a lot of people inside and I sat on the bed with the anaesthetic team. People were constantly introducing themselves and smiling/chatting. The radio was playing and it did not feel daunting in the way I imagined it would, I felt very at ease. I told them I was frightened of the spinal and they were very reassuring. The cannula was put in and did not hurt too much, it was similar to a blood test. The senior anaesthetist told me that was apparently the most painful part. He was right too! The spinal was so much better than I thought it would be - I didn't feel any pain, just a slight electric feeling as they jiggled it about to get it into the right place. Soon afterwards I felt a very warm feeling spreading into my bottom and then into my legs. I was surprised to find you don't go immediately numb and I was able to lie down and then get into position whilst it took effect. Whilst the spinal started to work the team were chatting to me, asking questions about the baby and my job. They explained what was going into the cannula and why. I honestly could not fault them on making me feel comfortable and informed. After a time I was sprayed with water in various patches on my body to check the spinal had worked. Once that was confirmed the midwife inserted my catheter which I didn't feel at all and a nurse shaved my bikini line which I also did not feel.
At this point DH came in to sit with me. I was generally quite upbeat and told him that the spinal was great - I was lying on my back and didn't have backache. Woohoo!! I heard the surgeon come in and then the anaesthetist told me they had started. It did feel exactly as some people describe - that I could feel pressure but absolutely NO pain and for me it DID feel like someone was doing the washing up inside me! During this time the team chatted to me and told me what was happening. I remember complaining that the blood pressure cuff was the most annoying part! After a short time I was told I might feel quite a lot of tugging, which I did and weirdly I could sort of feel myself be lifted from the table. The anaesthetist told me that meant the baby would be born soon! And all of a sudden at 9.20am exactly, he was! Joshua was born!
Seeing him was just one of the most amazing experiences of my life. He was born crying and I started to cry too, happy tears. It felt surreal, like this was happening to someone else! I saw DH trim the cord and then he was brought over to me. He was just the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I was shocked because he looked like me and DD doesn't. He had my nose and mouth and I remember repeating that over and over. He was bawling his eyes out on the table when they weighed him but as soon as they put him on my chest he stopped immediately. It was like we were complete
I held him for ages whilst they stitched me up. Then the midwife told me she needed to weigh him so they took him back to the table. Everyone in the room was congratulating me and taking guesses at his weight. 6lb 12oz! The atmosphere was really happy and joyful. I had requested skin to skin which the midwife started to set up but I heard the surgeon say they would only be 5 minutes and as the position was awkward I suggested we try it in recovery instead. So DH took LO and after they finished stitching me up they met me in recovery. Whilst we were there LO was stripped down for skin to skin and his first breastfeed. He latched on well and we snuggled up whilst the team made their checks. This was the most blissful part of the procedure, lying there unable to do anything but cuddle my baby (we actually ended up having skin to skin for 5 hours that day as LO fell asleep and we did not move him, it was amazing). Finally, after a short time we were wheeled back down to the postnatal ward. This whole process, from being walked over to theatre, being given the spinal, having the actual procedure and then recovery took less than 90 minutes! DH was able to go and phone our family at 10.30am that morning! Amazing! The rest of day was spent waiting for the spinal to wear off, talking and chatting and cuddling our little boy.
For me, recovery has definitely been a bit tougher than my natural birth. Having said that, I was up and walking within 6 hours of the surgery and showered soon after. I was able to hobble about that night to get to the loo etc and the next day although I transferred to a smaller hospital I could have been discharged if I'd wanted. By day 5 I felt able to get about the house with ease and now almost 3 weeks later I feel pretty much back to normal. If I walk for too long it aches a bit but in general I can get about as normal. The incision has healed well and is very neat. Another lovely surprise!
I have literally nothing but positive things to say about my experience. I will look back with nothing but total happiness and gratitude for what happened on the day of my son's birth. Without my C-Section neither LO nor I would be here. If anyone is worried or nervous please know that it IS possible to have a wonderful birth. I felt immediately bonded with LO. It was perfect and given my time again I wouldn't change a thing about it.
So here is my birth story! Warning - it is long!!
I was really pleased to make it to 38 weeks as I had started to show signs of heading towards natural labour. If I had gone into labour naturally I would have needed to be rushed by ambulance to hospital for an Emergency C-Section due to the massive risk of bleeding. My plug had come away the week before and baby was engaged. Unlike in my previous pregnancy I was desperately hoping baby would NOT come early and I tried everything in my power to keep LO inside!
On the 28th I spent the day with DH and DD, just enjoying our last day as the 3 of us. I also finished packing our hospital bags and made sure everything was ready. At 6pm that evening we dropped DD at my parents place and I became highly emotional when we said goodbye! DH and I went home as I couldn't eat after 8pm I had my final meal then took the Ranitidine tablet. I barely slept at all that night, I suddenly felt very excited and not at all scared. It was like Christmas was coming the next morning. I got up at 5am and had my last antibacterial shower plus a final drink of water before my 6am deadline, then woke DH. We headed out to the hospital in good time and I remember thinking how 'normal' everything was. It was so so different to DD's birth. I couldn't believe my son would actually be here. We got to the hospital at 7am and after being moved around to various places we were shown to the postnatal ward and given a bed.
After that everything seemed to happen really quickly! A really miserable midwife came to see me and asked me some questions, plus checked for baby's heartbeat. Thankfully I didn't have to see her again! I was given another round of Ranitidine and an anti-nausea tablet which I gratefully took as they gave me a small cup of water. Woohoo, fluids!!
Next up a LOT of people came to me to introduce themselves. I met my surgeon who was absolutely lovely. He told me that there were no emergencies on labour ward so I would be seen first that morning due to my complications. He was really nice and reassuring, I felt in really good hands. Next up I met the midwife that would be with me in theatre. She was also lovely and did another antenatal check. I could feel LO moving about inside me but it took them ages to find the heartbeat! I wasn't really scared, just amused! She told me that my bloods had gone missing and so they'd need to take some more. I wasn't happy about this as I'd been twice to have bloods done in the previous week. An MCA came in to take blood and she couldn't get anything out of me, almost certainly due to dehydration. I asked the midwife to double check with the transfusion team as my form had specifically stated I needed blood waiting for me on labour ward in case of an emergency. Thankfully they managed to find it! Phew! After this the senior anaesthetist came in to talk to me and introduce himself and then finally the senior theatre nurse. Everyone was happy to listen to how I felt and any requests I had written on my birth plan were thoroughly discussed which was brilliant.After everyone had introduced themselves it all seemed to move at lightning speed. I was given my hospital gown and told to change, whilst DH got into scrubs. I remember telling DH it felt weird being in a dress without underwear! We took stupid photos of ourselves and were generally quite upbeat. Moments later a nurse appeared and told me it was time to go. It was literally in that second that the enormity of what was about to happen actually hit me. I walked down to theatre with a pillow and felt the most vulnerable I have ever felt. I said goodbye to DH outside and suddenly started to cry. I did feel about 12 years old! I took a deep breath and went into theatre and what happened after that is probably one of the most positive birth experiences I could ever ask for.
The room had a lot of people inside and I sat on the bed with the anaesthetic team. People were constantly introducing themselves and smiling/chatting. The radio was playing and it did not feel daunting in the way I imagined it would, I felt very at ease. I told them I was frightened of the spinal and they were very reassuring. The cannula was put in and did not hurt too much, it was similar to a blood test. The senior anaesthetist told me that was apparently the most painful part. He was right too! The spinal was so much better than I thought it would be - I didn't feel any pain, just a slight electric feeling as they jiggled it about to get it into the right place. Soon afterwards I felt a very warm feeling spreading into my bottom and then into my legs. I was surprised to find you don't go immediately numb and I was able to lie down and then get into position whilst it took effect. Whilst the spinal started to work the team were chatting to me, asking questions about the baby and my job. They explained what was going into the cannula and why. I honestly could not fault them on making me feel comfortable and informed. After a time I was sprayed with water in various patches on my body to check the spinal had worked. Once that was confirmed the midwife inserted my catheter which I didn't feel at all and a nurse shaved my bikini line which I also did not feel.
At this point DH came in to sit with me. I was generally quite upbeat and told him that the spinal was great - I was lying on my back and didn't have backache. Woohoo!! I heard the surgeon come in and then the anaesthetist told me they had started. It did feel exactly as some people describe - that I could feel pressure but absolutely NO pain and for me it DID feel like someone was doing the washing up inside me! During this time the team chatted to me and told me what was happening. I remember complaining that the blood pressure cuff was the most annoying part! After a short time I was told I might feel quite a lot of tugging, which I did and weirdly I could sort of feel myself be lifted from the table. The anaesthetist told me that meant the baby would be born soon! And all of a sudden at 9.20am exactly, he was! Joshua was born!
Seeing him was just one of the most amazing experiences of my life. He was born crying and I started to cry too, happy tears. It felt surreal, like this was happening to someone else! I saw DH trim the cord and then he was brought over to me. He was just the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I was shocked because he looked like me and DD doesn't. He had my nose and mouth and I remember repeating that over and over. He was bawling his eyes out on the table when they weighed him but as soon as they put him on my chest he stopped immediately. It was like we were complete
I held him for ages whilst they stitched me up. Then the midwife told me she needed to weigh him so they took him back to the table. Everyone in the room was congratulating me and taking guesses at his weight. 6lb 12oz! The atmosphere was really happy and joyful. I had requested skin to skin which the midwife started to set up but I heard the surgeon say they would only be 5 minutes and as the position was awkward I suggested we try it in recovery instead. So DH took LO and after they finished stitching me up they met me in recovery. Whilst we were there LO was stripped down for skin to skin and his first breastfeed. He latched on well and we snuggled up whilst the team made their checks. This was the most blissful part of the procedure, lying there unable to do anything but cuddle my baby (we actually ended up having skin to skin for 5 hours that day as LO fell asleep and we did not move him, it was amazing). Finally, after a short time we were wheeled back down to the postnatal ward. This whole process, from being walked over to theatre, being given the spinal, having the actual procedure and then recovery took less than 90 minutes! DH was able to go and phone our family at 10.30am that morning! Amazing! The rest of day was spent waiting for the spinal to wear off, talking and chatting and cuddling our little boy.For me, recovery has definitely been a bit tougher than my natural birth. Having said that, I was up and walking within 6 hours of the surgery and showered soon after. I was able to hobble about that night to get to the loo etc and the next day although I transferred to a smaller hospital I could have been discharged if I'd wanted. By day 5 I felt able to get about the house with ease and now almost 3 weeks later I feel pretty much back to normal. If I walk for too long it aches a bit but in general I can get about as normal. The incision has healed well and is very neat. Another lovely surprise!
I have literally nothing but positive things to say about my experience. I will look back with nothing but total happiness and gratitude for what happened on the day of my son's birth. Without my C-Section neither LO nor I would be here. If anyone is worried or nervous please know that it IS possible to have a wonderful birth. I felt immediately bonded with LO. It was perfect and given my time again I wouldn't change a thing about it.
