Posts Tagged ‘labour’
Alfie’s Birth Story!
Posted on: February 12, 2011
For a while now i had pretty much accepted the fact that i would have to be induced. I didn’t hold much hope for anything happening. I’d had the odd signs but they never ever lead to anything and i had began to ignore them. I stayed up late Sunday night reading, and had spent Sunday daytime writing on my blog how i had a persistent ache and i was convinced it was how he was lain (how wrong i was!!)
Anyway, went to bed around 3am and woke on my own Monday(7th) morning at about 8am. Looked at my phone, and thought “huh… this is off for me!” and rolled over to catch some more sleep. Suddenly there was slight massive pressure on my bum and a tiny little gush of water.
Nothing overly “omg” worthy, the pressure was so slight i thought the baby had just shifted weight. I remember signing in frustration thinking “great, peed myself.” and so i got up, walked to the toilet and changed my underwear and then began walking back to bed.
However, by time i got to my bedroom and shut my door i noticed a tickling down my leg so i lifted my jarmer bottoms and there was a tiny stream running down. 8.10am. With a little “oh… my…god…” I remember staring down at my bump for a second, feeling my baby give a sharp kick and it just sunk in.
I waddled out into the hallway shouting “MY WATERS HAVE BROKEN!!” and grinning madly. My stepmum was up sending my stepsiblings to school and she met me halfway down the stairs and together we went into the bathroom and i showed her the water running down my legs.
She quickly ran me a bath so i could clean up and wash up from sleep and stuff and i had a nice soak while she informed the labour ward i was on my way. No contractions, i felt great and sooo happy i wouldn’t have to be induced and i couldn’t stop staring at my bump in the water, touching it and feeling my baby respond by kicking back.
I got dried up and became aware of the pressure i felt that morning had returned, almost like the baby was sitting on my bum inside. Not painful, just uncomfortable so i walked with a little more of a waddle. By time i was dressed and had made my way downstairs, i had slight period pains very low around my pubis bone and the pressure pressing on my bum each time. Not overly bad, just uncomfortable and took my breath away.
Ate toast and then we set off to the hospital. I was excited, but as soon as we began hitting speedbumps the pain stepped up. Each time a contraction came i doubled over and was unable to speak and the pressure was getting more and more. By time we entered the labour ward (which is a separate building to the rest of the hospital) i literally had to stop walking during each one and bend over. They were getting stronger and closer together.
My stepmum asked if i could have a wheelchair (the delivery suit is right at the other side upstairs, there was no way i could walk it) and was told there was none, though the elderly man was very embarrassed and couldn’t stop appologising telling us staff took them and never brought them back but he’d hunt one down and bring it personally. He could tell i was in pain and kept asking if i was okay.
He brought me one eventually and we rushed to the labour ward, since i was beginning to get a bit cranky and i was quickly given a room and introduced to gas and air (my dad had to wait in the waiting room, only 2 guests allowed in at a time and my stepsister wanted to join me and my stepmum was my birthing partner). I sucked up the gas and air greedily wishing the ache would go. The women were lovely, though the gas did nothing for me and just got me frustrated.
I was checked out and i was only 2cm dilated, and they had to pull my cervix forwards (OWCH!!!). The contractions stepped up again and it got to the point where i went to the toilet and found i was comfier sat there than on the bed 
so i stayed sat on the toilet and after a while felt sick and threw up my toast 
and then found maybe the toilet wasn’t for me 
Sooo i hopped onto the birthing ball, which, while totally fun whilst i wasn’t contracting, every time i was i felt a very painful pressure on my butt as well as the cramps, so found the ball didn’t help. I ended up literally crying in pain on the bed but still refusing any other pain relief (i’m absolutely terrified of needles!)
However, 4 hours in i couldn’t take it, so at 12.30 i gave in and had a shot of pethadine. It worked for around… 20 mins and sent me very loopy. I was constantly zoning out into unconsciousness and would think i was texting, so would hold my hands up and my thumbs would move like i’m texting though i wasn’t and my stepmum and stepsister found this highly amusing!
Eventually the pain relief for this died off (though the dizziness remained) and once again i was withering in pain. My stepmum was begging me to get an epidural and the midwife (and student) were both recommending it, as even they were commenting my contractions were very close together and strong, but i wasn’t dilating quick enough. I was only at 5 and had been in labour around 10 hours.
Once again i caved, it just hurt too much and let me tell you, i’m glad i had it… it was HAVEN. It didn’t hurt and the relief was immediate and i was just so happy. However, it only took away the pain of the cramps, not the rectal pressure. That remained, and hurt like an absolute mother… Made worse by my internal piles!
Sooo they upped the epidural to the max and set me up on a liquid since i was dehydrated and because i was still at 6cm also gave me some stuff which was meant to induce me quicker. That only brought the contractions even closer together and by this point however i was out of it completely, mostly from exhaustion. I was drifting off to sleep mid sentence and waking up completely unaware i had fallen asleep and tried to carry on my sentence hours later 
My stepmum left for work eventually (she works nights) and took my stepsister home and my ex came to be my second birthing partner to my dad. I was a little akward with my dad there at first (didn’t want him to see! ) but eventually i lost all dignity as the pain took over my initial shyness. Eventually i was spreading my legs during internals for all to see, anything for the pain to end! 
I then had my bowels emptied to see if it would ease the pressure (which it did a little) and kept having to have my bladder emptied as i was numb from hips down (apart from the pressure which i could always feel no matter how much they upped my epidural).
Eventually the rectal pressure changed, every time i felt it i then felt the baby pushing down. After around 20 mins of these i was checked and i was 9 and a half in only like, an hour! 
So she had me do some practice pushes to get it to 10m and then i began pushing for realz!
This was where i broke down in tears. I was suddenly extremely scared, and nervous, to meet my LO and i was in hysterics! My dad (Bless him) thought it was because i didn’t want him in the room and kept offering to leave but i wanted my daddy there 
and managed to blubber out i wanted him to stay 
With my dad and ex behind me, both encouraging me i pushed for 15 mins. He was, literally, RIGHT THERE. The whole time i felt the change of pressure it was the contractions doing the pushing for me! It did most of the work, me completely unaware!
Alfie was then born at 2.46am on the 8/2/11 weighing 8lb 1. I remember the midwifes kept going “oohhh he’s got so much blond hair!” whilst i was pushing that encouraged me to push harder. I wanted to see it and i did! He was put straight on my chest and i was then crying from relief he was there, finally, and healthy. I loved him already ❤ ❤
I did tear, and had to have stitches, but i didn’t notice them stitching me up, i was too busy cooing over my baby, and i also completely missed the afterbirth i was too focused on him 
But that’s probably for the best 😛
I had to stay in hospital for 2 days as i was anemic and needed to get my iron levels up (but eventually i was sent home with iron tablets) and my little Alfie is perfectly healthy and a little tubster!
I did manage to push my internal piles out during labour, so sitting down is very painful, but definitely getting a lot better, and i’d definitely go through it all again for him, he’s perfect! 
If you’ve managed to get to the bottom of this, then serious i know i ramble 
—
And now begins my diary of a Teen Mummy!! 
Overdue, day 9
Posted on: February 6, 2011
Thought things were happening (finally!) last night, but nope. He’s still not here and no sign of labour seemingly. Was woken at like, 3am this morning with nausea to the point where i was gipping, belly cramps and ache and an ache in my lower thighs. I thought “this is it!!” and tried to time the crampy feelings, but it just seemed persistent! I was less than impressed, especially when the whole thing just stopped, and i was left laying there feeling pretty useless, again. I can’t even go into labour right!
All that had gone on until around 6ish in morning when i finally nodded off, and woke at 12pmish. Lazy bugger that i am! Wasn’t impressed though, LO is moving around and rolling about as usual and i just have a slight persistent ache which i think is just how he’s laid in there or something, definitely not labour. I apparently wont experience that naturally and i am DOOMED to have to be induced.
Told FOB that i would ring him on the day of the induction (Wednesday) when things actually began happening, since it apparently takes a while for things to kick off and there’s no point us both waiting around for hours on end being bored. Going in at 7.15, and stepmum said she’d come straight from work at 8pm so even she’s forseeing it will take it’s time. I’ll probably even end up getting sent home since from my sweep we found my cervix was so unfavorable!
Ironically, even though i’ve had a nice sleep in i’m *still* tired. Clearly lazyness holds no bounds with me… Definitely need to make sure i get a good night sleep Tuesday night (the 8th) in time for my long haul Wednesday. For all i know labour might stretch into the night! (and i’m up early!) so rest is required.
I’m hungry but i seriously can not be bothered moving from my currently position of being laid in my comfy bed. What do i need to move for, really? To watch TV? Watch more baby shows? Yeyyy 😦 So jealous of everyone going into labour atm!! I just want to feel something happening and stop feeling so damn useless, especially with everyone texting me and messaging me every 5 mins “anything happened yet? No? Oh… right…” They’re disappointed?! Try me 😦 Making me feel like a failure at even giving birth here agh.
Anyway, gonna read or something, take my mind of all this angry / whiny thoughts 🙂
Week 41
Posted on: February 4, 2011
Today is, officially, week 41. That’s 7 days overdue and 5 days remain until my induction (which will make me 12 days overdue, just short of 2 weeks.)
Still no sign of my little one, and he’s still as active as ever… Maybe i should cut down on the sugars in the diet or something! Been really bored recently, it seems waiting around is taking forever! I know he’s definitely going to be here on the 9th, but it feels so long away!!
In my bored state i’ve been prowling the internet, just reading random things and wishing i had a baby right now… Found an interesting site called ask a mum which looks really interesting, it’s got some pretty good articles in it and i’ve been glued to it for the past hour now [: Told you i’m bored!
Also been having as many lie ins as possible. I love lie ins, and i know when Alfie does finally come they will be stopping, and most likely the sleep i will be getting will be a few hours here and there while he’s sleeping! So, i’m making the most of it now, since i’m known to love my bed…
Still, i’d gladly give it up to be holding my little man in my arms now 😀 So excited to meet him it’s unreal, though i am pretty afraid of the labour and birth itself, and of course i’m going to miss feeling him kicking around and seeing my bump jiggle about as he rolls about. So cute, will definitely be an experience i miss!
The labour itself i’m worried about since i’m the biggest wimp in the world! I also hate needles, so the chances of me sweetly and calmly accepting an epidural are very slim, in fact, i doubt ill even be able to have it as much as i’ll want one. The thought of it in my spine? Ohh nooo, no way will i be able to hold still for it!
And of course there’s the fact that i’m already crying and whining about little things, such as when he headbutts my cervix and i get that sharp twinge, that hurts! And the period pains (‘fake’ contractions) hurt like a bitch to me. If braxton hicks hurt me, what will the real deal be like :O I shudder to think…
SO the whole labour ordeal will probably not be too pleasant an experience for me, and i can foresee my birthing partners (stepmum and FOB) getting very stressed out and annoyed at me haha. Already told the FOB he has to go out and get me a KFC (there’s one near the hospital) as i demand it 😛 May be worth it… bahaha.
Anyway, gonna read more articles and bum about the house some more (literally) eating for two. Damn i’m always hungry….
Signs of Labour
Posted on: January 28, 2011
Before you even go into labour, you will probably here alot of advice from other mothers and family members, telling you about their experience and what they felt. However, don’t just take other peoples (or even book advice) as a sure way of knowng, as every pregnancy is different.
It’s best to know all the various signs that labour is approaching (or even upon you!) so that you can decide yourself (or know when to ask for further advice).
When in doubt – call your midwife, doctor or labour ward, i’m sure they will be happy to tell you if what your experiencing is normal or not.
Signs Labour is Close:
- Nesting Urge:
Nesting is an instinct that mothers of nearly every species experience. Though humans won’t actually be burrowing or gathering leaves, (I hope), you will often start to go into a cleaning and organizing frenzy. Some women go through their baby layettes over and over, organizing the baby’s room or section of the parents’ room.
Others will clean the house from top to bottom, empty every drawer, and dust in places they never knew existed before. This is completely normal! You are not becoming obsessive compulsive, nesting is just nature’s way of letting the mother know the baby is coming soon.
So, clean as much as you like, just avoid strong fumes and try to use gloves when using chemicals of any kind. Don’t touch the cat litter and avoid any area that may harbor black mold or mildew.
- Diarrhea and bowel disturbance:
Nearing labor your body will produce prostaglandins, a chemical which will cause loose bowel movements. A very unpleasant sign of impending labor, but one which does let you know the baby is coming soon. If you have been suffering from constipation, this may be a bit of a relief.
Gas, which is so common throughout pregnancy, will also become more of an issue. All of this will pass soon enough and the diarrhea serves two purposes. One is to empty the bowels in preparation for pushing the baby out of the womb.
Secondly, the muscle contractions of bowel movements are very close to the type caused by the uterus. If you are suffering severe diarrhea, you should call your doctor because severe diarrhea can actually induce labor contractions.
- Engagement:
Also known as the baby ‘dropping, engagement is when the baby lowers deep into the pelvis and nestles into position for birth. You may feel a lightening sensation and gain the ability to eat slightly larger portions without discomfort or heartburn.
Many women find this a welcome sign of labor since the baby is no longer pushing against the stomach and may even sleep more comfortably. In first pregnancies engagement can occur days before actual labor, though in women who have had several children the baby may not drop into position until right before labor.
Engagement is not a reliable sign of labor occurring quickly in all women.
- Pelvic floor pressure:
Once the baby has dropped into position or engagement has occurred, you may feel pressure on the pelvic floor. The head of the baby is pressing very snugly against the cervix now and will continue to do so until birth. You may feel as if you need to move your bowels, the pressing down of the head causes a feeling of fullness and pressure very similar to that.
Some women who have had several children might experience some pain. Many women might have trouble walking or feel as if their hips are not working properly. A hard feeling to describe even to doctors, if you are experiencing this odd and painful experience you might feel at the end of your rope trying to find an answer.
This pain is stemming from a large tendon that weakens in each pregnancy. The tendon forms a sort of ‘saddle’ and the stress of engagement may cause pain after sitting or lying down, then standing. To help avoid this pain, try to walk and get exercise to strengthen this area early in your pregnancy.
- Vaginal discharge in early labor:
Some women may experience more discharge in the days leading up to labor. Normally thick and whitish, if the discharge changes to thin and watery a visit to the doctor may be in order. This could indicate a leak in the bag of waters surrounding the baby.
This only poses a danger to the baby if labor is not immediatel indicated, as an infection or introduction of bacteria to the womb and baby could occur. If the discharge is thick and white or thick and colorless, you should not worry. This is normal discharge.
- Softening of the cervix, mucus plug, or bloody show:
In addition to the normal discharge you are experiencing, near labor you may find red streaks and a thick mucous ‘blob’. This is the mucus plug that has been in the cervix since after conception to prevent access to the womb for bacteria or other pathogens.
You may never see this bloody show, because as the cervix has softened or ripened, it could have slipped out and fell into the toilet to be flushed away. The cervix has thinned and softened so that it is prepared to dilate enough to allow passage of the baby into and through the birth canal.
In your final visits to the obstetrician he or she will check your cervix often to check for softening and dilation. (only in the US, they don’t do checks in the UK unless something is seriously wrong)
- Early Contractions (Braxton Hicks):
Early contractions can be completely painless and go unnoticed. Occasionally women experience sharp pains with early contractions. If the contractions are not regular and only come infrequently with no real pattern they are referring to as False or Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Their main purpose is practice for the uterus. Early contractions usually do not progress labor readily and may stop at any time. False contractions have sent many women to the hospital in hopes of labor only to be sent home to wait out real labor.
Obvious Signs of Labour:
These are the signs that labour is definitely happening and should not be ignored. In in doubt, call your widwife, doctor or labour ward.
- Regular, rhythmic contractions:
When true labor begins, those contractions which have come at odd times suddenly begin to come in a regular pattern and occurring closer together. At first, the contractions may be felt as a hardening of the stomach, though many women have described them as very strong menstrual cramps.
Women who are experiencing their first labor and delivery may have contractions for a day or so that start out an hour or more apart, then finally reach the recommended eight to five minutes apart before leaving for the hospital.
Some very lucky women have only a few strong contractions before the birth of their child. Breathing exercises and focusing methods can help decrease the pain felt during contractions. Some women have found water births to be very relaxing and helpful in relieving contraction cramps.
- Membrane rupturing:
For years movies and television programs have perpetuated the vision of a woman in early labor suddenly stopping in public and exclaiming that her water has broken. This does happen, but not nearly as often as these outlets would have you believe.
The rush of amniotic fluid that happens when the bag of waters around the baby ruptures may not occur until strong and active labor. Occasionally the doctor may use an instrument to rupture the membranes, but this is not always necessary.
Studies have shown that rupture of the membranes does not speed labor, but neither does it impede it. Old wives tales speak of ‘dry births’ but there is no such thing as a dry birth. The body will produce amniotic fluid around the baby until delivery.
If you suspect a rupture of the membranes, tests can confirm whether or not the leaking fluid is actually amniotic fluid or urine.
Labour and Childbirth Myths
Posted on: January 24, 2011
You’ve got to love these myths that go around about pregnancy (similar to my Old Wives Tales post). Half of the time these are little comments made at us from ‘helpful’ friends and family, who, because they have been through labour once, maybe twice, suddenly see themselves as experts and just have to have their say.
But can we always trust in everything they say to us?
- You will know when you are in labor.
Well, no actually, not everyone will know, and it’s especially hard for first time mothers to know when exactly labour is starting. It’s easy to miss out on the signs and signals our bodies give us beforehand to warn us that the baby is close to greeting us (check out the signs of labour post).
While it’s true, some women may know when they’re close (such as experiencing the signs) but for some it can just happen, BAM!! Waters break and baby makes an appearance. Everyone’s experiences of labour and delivery are different, and only time will tell what yours will be like.
- Your water will break when you are in labor.
Errr, no. Not quite. While it’s true, some womens waters breaking is an indicator that you are in labour, it’s not always the first sign to look out for (so don’t sit around enduring agonizing contractions thinking you have to wait for your waters to break for labour to truly begin – because it’s not true!)
However, if your waters do suddenly break (and it may be a trickle rather than the niagra falls) then call your midwife, doctor or even pregnancy ward as soon as possible, as they will need to know.
- Your Labour experience will be like that of your mothers
Again, not quite. It all depends on your own pelvic shape, size of your baby and even position of your baby. Your mother may have had a bad or good pregnancy depending on these factors, but for you they could be completely different. Never use anyone else’s experience as an exact guide, as every pregnancy experience is different.
- ‘____’ labour / birth position is the best
There is no right or wrong pregnancy position. What’s comfortable for one mother to be may be extremely uncomfortable for another. Every women is different, as is their baby and their pregnancy situation, so there is no way to determine what is best for everyone.
Decide what is right and what feels right for you at the time, and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Your comfort is all that matters, as the more comfortable you are, the happier you will feel and the better your experience will be.
Pregnancy Truths 