Cottage Flowers Arrangement

Jodie and Scott Allpress

sore enough to think it was ‘it’. We headed back after I grew more physically tired and tired of the looks we were getting as we walked around. Back in the delivery suite, I felt quite ill and vomited (the first time in the whole pregnancy) and thought that it might be the start of something. The pains were not regular, however, so we continued to hang out, my husband boring us by reading aloud a Rugby rulebook. Our LMC and her student came back after lunch and attempted to break my waters. This was quite uncomfortable and a registrar was called as the membranes were quite thick. I remember thinking at this point that it was little wonder our baby couldn’t break through! After they were broken, things progressed. It hurt A LOT and I kind of told myself to tough it out, as I figured I had about ten hours of this ahead, it being our first time. I had thought I would be quite active during the birth, but I was attached to a monitor, so was pretty much on the bed. To be honest, I was so tired I probably couldn’t have done much moving anyway. Nick, Mum, and the student midwife gave me acupressure during the contractions, which made me feel quite centred. (This makes it sound like it was lovely, but it still bloody hurt!) I focused on my Yoga breathing too, which was good. At about 6pm I had had it. I said to Nick that I didn’t think I could do it anymore; it was just too sore. This worried me as I still knew I had a long time to go. I voiced my concerns to our LMC, who said she would examine me and then we might talk about using some gas. I remember saying that was fine, but I didn’t want to take anything too early. She never got to examine me, as I suddenly got the urge to push! I found things changed a lot at this point. The pain went and was just replaced with the strongest of urges to push. Between those contractions, I was able to feel rested, to talk, to eat a segment of orange, and to even have the odd laugh. I tried a few positions but ended up on my back, something I never thought I would do. (Nick was glad the position that involved him taking my weight only lasted a couple of contractions). Our baby was slow to descend which made me feel a bit despondent; I was trying so hard and there was still no baby. It became clear that people (strangers included) were right in telling me I was carrying a big baby. The registrar was called in again as there was a concern of shoulder dystocia, and they wondered if I might need a ventouse delivery. Everyone was confident our baby could be born normally, so I received a wee pep talk from our LMC. She ended up giving me an episiotomy, as my perineum was not thinning. (Never thought I’d be using ‘my’ and ‘perineum’ in the same sentence!) Seven minutes later, something was placed on my chest and for some silly reason it took me a few moments to realise it was our baby. It also took us a while to have a look and see what we had had; a beautiful boy who we named Micah Charlie Reid. I hadn’t realised how many people were in the room, but I remember being aware that there were about eight staff members! After birthing the placenta, I had a big bleed so Micah was quickly taken off me and a couple of people started ‘massaging’ my tummy (again, this sounds lovely but wasn’t). I remember not really caring about any of that and just being awestruck that we had a baby. We were parents!

(Nick would tell this story differently; he said all I did was burp, spit, bleed and look like an oompaloompa as I pushed. Just as well he kept those thoughts to himself at the time!) It took a long time to ‘clean up’. Getting the bleeding under control hurt, as did the ‘embroidery’. I was surprised this hurt and I was surprised that even though it was over, it wasn’t over. Everyone could tell he was a big boy, but we were in no hurry to weigh him. Some of the staff members stayed around to hear his weight and we were all surprised to learn Micah was 10lbs! No wonder it hurt! I am so glad I didn’t know he was so big; I would never have been able to push him out! Up in the Maternity ward, having said goodbye to Mum and Nick, I had a long night. I kept staring in disbelief at Micah. I had flashes of the birth in my mind, which made me a little scared; I felt quite weak and vulnerable and couldn’t quite reconcile that I had had the strength to birth Micah. I am so amazed the female body can go through such trauma and recover! The first ten days were so hard and are somewhat of a sleepless, teary, yet amazing blur. Our LMC remained our tower of strength and encouragement and I was lucky to have the Yoga mums on call too; nothing like being told your worries are quite normal and not a reflection of being a bad parent. We just love being Micah’s Mummy and Daddy. Micah has only strengthened my relationship with Nick and at times I sit looking at my gorgeous boy and feel so smug; we are so clever to have made something so beautiful! Quote for early on in the article perhaps: At times I sit looking at my gorgeous boy and feel so smug; we are so clever to have made something so beautiful!