Birth Announcement - Introducing Ava

After the quickest of pregnancies to the longest overdue and labour period I can finally introduce who we've all been waiting for, meet our beautiful Ava Jean. 

Ava was born on the 3rd March, weighing a whooping 9lb 4oz and was 53cm long. She was 11 days overdue and was born via induction as my waters decided to break but my contractions never started. Labour was a rather unpleasant experience which is such a shame as I'd so hoped for a positive one this time around, but we both got through it and came out the other side in one piece. I'll probably be writing my birth story in the next few weeks but for now I just wanted to share our wonderful news.

I can't believe that she is finally here and just four days in and she's fitted right into the family. She's quite a chilled out baby, one who loves to be held and talked to. She's very alert and strong and has taken to breastfeeding like a pro. She's honestly the prettiest little thing that I've ever seen, I can't take my eyes off her. Welcome to the world Ava girl. 

All about baby - Day 18 - Birth story

I can't believe that I was in labour over 3 months ago. Sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday and then others it feels like forever ago. You can read my birth story here. I so wish I didn't have to be induced but I did as good as I could with the cards that were handed to me and maybe next time it can all happen naturally.  

Before and After Labour - What I didn't know.

It has now been ten weeks since I gave birth. When I look back on going into my induction and labour I was very naive. I thought I knew what I was getting myself in for but I didn't really do my research. Even researching you can never prepare yourself for what is about to come. Here are some of the things I learnt along the way.

Induction.
I didn't realise that the induction process would take so long. People had warned me but I went in hospital on the Saturday morning thinking I would be bringing my baby home Sunday night. If only. My induction took three long and painful days. By the time I was finally in active labour I was already exhausted from my time in hospital. Thankfully my labour was quick, moderately easy and only took 6 hours.

Labour.
I hyped labour up so much that personally it wasn't as bad as I imagined. I was high on gas and air and think I would of managed just on that if it wasn't for Noah back to back. I felt so much pressure in my back and it got worse and worse as he got lower. It felt like my back was breaking. Thankfully I opted for diamorphine and it instantly took my back pain away. I was then able to sit down for the first time in 6 hours and I actually gave birth led on my back, in stirrups! Never thought I would of birthed that way.

Pushing.
It takes a lot longer than you imagine. I was pushing for 45 minutes which isn't that long really but when you are there pushing with all your might it feels like a lifetime especially as they portray it as a quick and easy job in the movies. I didn't find it painful but it was extremely exhausting. I ended up bursting lots of blood vessels in my face, arms, chest and legs as I was pushing so hard. I looked like I was covered in freckles! I kept asking if I was doing it right and my midwives would laugh and say yes!

Recovery.
For me the recovery period was more painful than the labour itself. I didn't realise how sore I would be and that to me is plain dumb! You push a baby out of there of course you are going to be in agony! I was physically and mentally drained from the whole experience. My body felt like it has run around the world and back, every part of me ached. I only had minor stitches but I was so sore and struggled to sit down for about a week afterwards. I remember sitting in countless salt baths and cringing every time I imagined the stitches. I'm such a wimp, I never even took a look either. In hindsight I wished I'd prepared a bit more of labour and learning how to perform a simple perineal massage can help and prevent some tearing.

When I look back at my labour I am pleased by how it went. I would change a lot of things but I am glad I managed okay and that my baby was healthy. I just so wish that I didn't have to be induced and I had gone into labour naturally. I hope one day I get to experience it and be as natural as I possibly can. 

How was your labour experience? I'd love to hear about it.

My Birth Story

I'm finally here, it's time to write my birth story.

This is going to be one long post as my experience was a long and drawn out process, with many ups and downs. I don't want to miss out a single detail and will try to be as thorough as I can. So grab a cup of coffee, we may be here a while!

If you have been following my pregnancy journey then you will of already read on my last pregnancy post that I had been booked in for in an induction. As my pregnancy came to an end I couldn't imagine myself going into labour naturally and said it on many occasions. I don't know why. I would of loved to experience my waters bursting randomly and going into labour naturally just like in the movies. 

The Induction: 

I was admitted into hospital on Saturday 9th of November. I was very naive when it came to the induction process and really had no clue what I was letting myself in for. I thought I would be induced and would leave with my baby shortly after. Little did I know, I would be in hospital for the next 4 days and it would be a long, slow and stressful process. 

Shortly after I arrived I had my observations done and the baby was monitored for a while before the induction began. Next up the nurse discussed what would be happening and gave me a pamphlet to read. 

The first step of induction is the pessary and this is where the nightmare began. The pessary is used to soften and thin the cervix. It wasn't a pleasant feeling and rather painful when it was being administered. As soon as it was in I began feeling cramps. They were showing up on the monitor as contractions and she was concerned as she said I shouldn't be feeling so much so soon. She said that she might not of put it in correctly and it may need to be corrected. She called another nurse to check and she said it was fine and it was just my body adjusting. I was so glad it didn't need to be put in again.

Fast forward 17 hours, it was now 5 am on Sunday morning and I was feeling very uncomfortable. I actually asked a nurse to check how I was doing. She was a trainee and wasn't very delicate with me and actually had to bring someone "more experienced" to check the pessary. Another lady came, swiftly checked and told me that the pessary had been put in wrong and had had no effect! I was absolutely gutted. I had gone through 17 hours of pains and numerous uncomfortable internals for nothing. They had put my pessary in wrong! They had to remove it and apply another. When they left I burst into tears. 

Sunday morning it was time for another internal to see if the pessary had any effect. It didn't. So after 24 hours of monitoring, a failed pessary, a replacement pessary and continuous cramps I had gotten no further. I felt very deflated but on one hand I was glad about the lack of progress as I literally had no energy to stay awake let alone go through labour. I was so exhausted as I was in an noisy ward where people would talk all night long. I was getting back contractions too so could only doze while sitting up. It was a nightmare. I remember bawling my eyes out in the toilet cause I was so drained, stressed and emotional.  

The next step was the gel. The gel is a more concentrated version of the pessary. You can have up to three doses of gel and they check after 6 hours rather than every 24 hours to see if it has had any effect. I ended up having 2 pessary's and 2 doses of gel just to get to 2cm dilated. 

Come Monday morning I had finally gotten to 2 cm dilated after around 3 days in hospital. They told me I would be having my waters broke later on that day. I'd had a better sleep and I was raring to go. I was so happy. We ended up packing up all my things thinking we would be going down to the labour ward in a few hours. We ended up waiting a ridiculous 15 hours! You can understand a long wait but no one kept me updated I was just on tender hooks all day long. I was finally taken to have my waters broken at 1 am on Tuesday morning. I wasn't raring to go at this point, I was knackered. But it was time! 

The Labour: 

1 am on Tuesday morning I was taken down to birth suite accompanied with the midwife and student midwife who would be delivering my baby. I couldn't of asked for anyone better, they were fantastic support the entire way through. Nick and my Mum were also with me and they were fantastic. The room I was in was really nice and I felt comfortable straight away. I led on the bed and was strapped up to monitors which kept track of not only the baby's heart rate but my contractions too. I was a little worried at this point as I didn't like the thought of being bed bound during labour as he was back to back and I had been experiencing intense back pain and strong contractions in my back for days. They assured me that once everything was under way I would be able to move around. I had an examination and was shocked to discover I was 4cm dilated. I had gone from 2cm to 4 in the time I was waiting to go to the birth suite. 

It was then time to break my waters. I was apprehensive at this point as people say it can be painful but I didn't feel a thing. It felt very relieving once they had been burst and I continued to loose waters throughout the labour. The midwife told me that the baby had pooed a little and the baby doctor would have to take a look at him once he was born but he wasn't in any distress according to the monitor so I wasn't worried. 

Shortly after my waters had been broke I was put on the induction drip which speeds up contractions and makes labour faster and more painful. As soon as I was on the drip my contractions intensified tenfold and I was straight on the gas and air. It took me a while to get the hang of gas and air but it really helped. The midwives repeatedly told me how well I was doing and that I had a high pain threshold cause my contractions were so strong already and I was hardly flinching. 

This is where everything goes foggy as I did go a bit crazy on the gas and air. I found that at the beginning bouncing on the birthing ball helped with contractions, Nick would stand behind me and hold my shoulders to keep me steady. I remember being sat on the ball and glancing at the clock and it was around 3.30 am and I remember thinking how on earth had it got to that time already? As the baby came lower and lower I found the back pain becoming intolerable and sitting on the ball was excruciating so I opted to stand up, walk around and make circles with my hips. 

I then had the urge to go on all fours so they brought out a birthing mat. I remember thinking at this point that the baby would be born soon but I was very wrong. I was on all fours and my Mum was holding the gas and air in my mouth. At this point the gas and air was having little effect and my back pain was becoming too much for me. I actually demanded an epidural around this time as I couldn't get comfortable in any position. How was I supposed to give birth? The midwife said she would have to examine me first before we could discuss an epidural. I was 8cm at this point and thankfully she convinced me not to have an epidural and I opted for the diamorphine instead. This allowed me to actually lie on my back! I felt no back pain whatsoever and I was so relieved. It made me very drowsy and I ended up dozing off between contractions.

More time passed and it was time to push! Thankfully I was able to be comfortable led on my back so I was on the bed for the birth. I used the arm and leg stirrups and literally went full throttle. They had to put a heart rate monitor on the baby's head as we kept losing signal but I didn't know they did that until after he was born. I thought the whole pushing process would happen faster than it did and it was very exhausting. The pushing part of labour was the part that had always frightened me the most but I have to say it was the easiest part. It is true what they say. At this point you just want your baby out and sheer determination and strength takes over. I remember my Mum and Nick both bursting into tears even before he was born because I was trying so hard. I kept asking the midwives if I was doing it right and they assured me I was doing fab. 

Next thing I know I feel a gush and he is out. I could feel him kicking in between my legs and I couldn't believe I had done it! They pulled him on top of me for skin to skin and Nick cut the cord while I gave my son his first cuddle. I remember being led on the bed delivering the placenta and being stitched up while my son was getting checked out over on the table away from me and I was desperate to have him back in my arms. While they were working on me I was telling my Mum what to dress him in! I also remember Nick just gazing at him with pure adoration. 

The Baby: 

Noah Nicholas was born shortly after 6am on 12/11/13. Shocking us all weighing just 7lb 2oz. No feeling comes close to that moment when your baby is finally in your arms and you set eyes on them for the first time. My heart literally wants to burst with love and I cannot believe Nick and I have created a soul so beautiful. He is utter perfection. 

My Thoughts: 

The whole induction process was an absolute nightmare and I so wish I was able to go into labour naturally. It was such a long winded experience and I wish that I had of done my research before hand. 

I am very happy with my labour experience. I have always knocked myself and said I wouldn't be able to handle it but I didn't find it half as painful as I thought it would be. Instinct just takes over when the time comes and you will be surprised at what you can handle!

I still cannot believe I gave birth just over a week ago and I am so proud of myself and my beautiful baby boy.  

Pregnancy Diary: Week 38

8/11/13

38 Weeks Pregnant. 

Here I am again, another week has flown by. I am now just starting my 39th week of pregnancy. I have been pregnant for over 250 days, 9 whole months pregnant and boy don't I know it! I am still really enjoying my pregnancy but I have this overwhelming need to meet him. As much as I love being pregnant I just want him in my arms now. It feels like I have been pregnant forever.  

On a whole I don't feel too bad considering how far a long I am now. I was expecting to feel a lot more exhausted and fed up by now. Perhaps that is how I will feel next week. I have a feeling this won't be the last pregnancy log I post, I think he is going to keep his Mummy waiting and be overdue. (Edit: This won't be happening now - Keep reading)

I have been experiencing a lot more cramps, twinges and braxton hicks the past few days. Last night I was led in bed and the sensations were so strong that I actually thought it was time. I had tightening and back pain throughout the entire night but when I woke up they were gone and I have had nothing since. My baby is a tease! 

I had my 38 week midwife appointment this week. Throughout the past 9 months each appointment has been quick, easy and straight forward but this week it wasn't. My blood pressure was a higher than usual and as I had been suffering from random migraines it raised a red flag. Although there was no protein found in my urine they are keeping an eye on me to make sure that I don't develop pre eclampsia as my Mum had the condition when she was expecting me. They are monitoring me and hopefully nothing will come of it. 

After my appointment I didn't really know how to feel. I only had slightly raised blood pressure but the thought of my baby being under any distress or me not being at my healthiest just made me feel guilty, frustrated and emotional. I think I over reacted when I got home as I was in fits of tears, which I blame on my pregnancy hormones! After I let it all digest I felt a lot more positive and soon snapped out of it. I go back on Thursday to have my blood pressure taken again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it has gone back to normal. 

Yesterday I went back for another check. Although my blood pressure was lower the baby's heart rate was a higher than she would of liked so I was sent to hospital to be monitored. It was for precaution only and I felt better knowing that I was going to have him looked at. 

Once we arrived at the hospital we waited a while to be seen then I went in to be monitored. The midwife I had was fantastic, so friendly and informative. The baby's heartbeat had gone back down to normal and he was moving fine. As this was the second time I had been in for monitoring the midwife suggested that the Doctor come in to see me. I was impressed that they were so thorough. When the Doctor arrived she first read through my notes and asked me about the baby. I told her that this week his movements had changed and that I thought it was due to him engaging. To which she replied that he should still have his usual patterns, which he does but they have certainly changed. She said she would like to perform an internal exam to see if I was dilated and to give me a stretch and sweep. Considering I was only going in for monitoring and was 38+6 I was a surprised but accepted. The stretch and sweep was uncomfortable to say the least but it was quickly and expertly done and she informed me that I was already 1cm dilated. The surprises didn't stop there as she also said she would like to book me in for induction! She advised that it was best and I agreed. I am booked in for my induction tomorrow. 

So I went to hospital to be monitored as a precaution to leaving with not only a stretch and sweep but a booked induction! Safe to say I walked out of the building in a daze, it didn't sink in till this morning. I will go into hospital on Saturday and the next time I come home I will have my baby! 

It feels strange that this will be my very last pregnancy diary. The next time I post I will be posting all about our son! Where have the past 9 months gone? I am so excited, nervous and scared. 

Wish us luck and I will see you on the other side!