From Little Things... Big Things Grow

From Little Things... Big Things Grow

Monday, January 18, 2010

My miracle arrives (Birth story, too much information!!)



When we got there they told us they would organise the paeds to speak to us again and then start. I was thankful that they took hours as I just was not ready. Not that I would ever be. We talked to the paeds about what to expect when bub was born in terms of what would the room be doing. How many people, what noises etc. I did not want to be stressing that there were suddenly 10 people in the room and think that meant it was all going wrong. I asked if we should expect a scream (No) and how soon he would be whisked out of the room. I told anyone who would listen that I wanted an epidual ASAP as although I had a good labour with Brooklyn, it was only due to the epidural. The induction made me vomit between every 2 or 3 contractions and I did not want to add that to the stress. The anaesitist (sp?) refused to do it as my infection meant the risks were too high. Obviously I didn't want one either once he said that, but we agreed if my temp came down for a significant time, the antibiotics were woorking and I could have one. I felt as ready as ever and told the midwife to get things going.

About 5 the drip was started. At 7 we watched Home and Away...then Highway Patrol until we realised we were missing Top Gear. I am sure the midwife thought we were nuts. I just needed to pretend this was a regular night in hospital. At 8.30 she said "Well, nothings happened yet so I think you should not be expecting this bub tonight, this is going to take a while" 10 minutes later the TV was off and by 9pm I asked if we could now call it Established Labour. I went from nothing but slight tightenings to 2 minute contractions within that 30 minutes. I lay on the bed for the first 20 or so then whilst up for a toilet break, I found I much prefered standing. They were now a minute apart at 9.30pm. Standing became rocking, with DH pushing against my lower back. I was pretty happy with how it was all going and with a temp of 38.3 the epi was not an option anyway... little did I know what was about to come and how silly I had been to think I may still ask for one later in the night/ morning.
After about 10 more minutes standing, I was over it. "Can I get swiss ball?" and I started rocking over that. I think it was only about 5 contractions on the ball at 30 second intervals until I said "Bucket!! I am going to be sick" and I was - In a voice I wouldn't recognise I said "There is something there" and threw up again
The midwifed yelled at Geoff to hit the call button and told me there was a leg out. I tried not to vomit again as I knew it was forcing him out but I had to one more time. By then the 8 docs were in the room and telling me I needed to roll to my back. I refused. I wanted to, I just could not bring myself to move. They let me stay for a few more minutes but then said I HAD to get to the bed. Geoff and a doc pretty much picked me up and I somehow got to the edge of the bed. I had been and continued making my wild animal noises. I was insanely loud... but even at the time I was thinking "why are you making these sounds and what's with the volume... this is really not so bad" Next thing I know, I am shaking uncontrollably, not shivering, I mean full on almost Grand Mal seizure type shaking and listening to the machine that was ventilating my son. It was 10.15pm... less than 2 hours ago, I had been watching Jay Leno race around an airport runway.




The shaking lasted a good 15 minutes. Geoff says he has never seen anything like it. They covered me in 2 warmed blankets but I just couldn't stop. I could see him flicking glances to where the docs were and then he got to go over and cut the cord... he came back looking so bewildered I wasn't sure what to think. I could tell he was absolutely overjoyed but petrified at the same time ... trying to contain his happiness incase it all went pear shaped, without looking like that's what he was doing .


Nico got wheeled over and I saw this perfectly formed but tiny human with deep dark red skin. He was 710 grams, 32 cm. That crazy feeling of instant love washed over me for the 2nd time and I just got this sense that all was going to work out. I don't know what that means, but I know we will get there and life will be 'normal' again one day. All I can do is hope and pray that 'normal' means Mum and Dad watching their 2 kids playing at the park, taking holidays, fighting, performing skits to the family, making a mess...



1 comment:

  1. Wow guys, i knew he was early, but didnt have a clue about the whole story. Truely amazing.
    I showed this to a friend of mine that is expecting her 3rd child in a couple of months n she said to tell you she found your story amazingly emotional and she wish you and your family the best of luck, as do I.

    ps.
    tell geoff to get on facebook!

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