BIRTH STORY
INSTANT LOVE... OUR DAUGHTER’S ARRIVAL By Anon My mother always likes to remind me that I was born two weeks postdates, and I was pretty sure that my own baby would follow suit. Sure enough, the due date came and went, and time slowed down to a crawl. I was feeling really impatient and just wanted to meet our daughter! Six days postdates my midwife attempted a stretch and sweep; not a pleasant experience, but it seemed to get things started. I had bloody show, and in the evening I started to get tightenings. I went to bed convinced that these faint pains would develop into labour. No such luck. Then eight days postdates my waters broke. Just a trickle really, but again I went to bed excited that things were definitely going to get started. The next morning I woke up perplexed. No more waters leaking, and no labour pains. My midwife advised going into hospital for a checkup. Tests and ultrasound showed that I had indeed lost some amniotic fluid, and baby was doing just fine. However, due to the risk of infection, they recommended induction if labour didn’t get underway soon. I was given the choice
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of being induced there and then, or coming back to hospital the next day if labour didn’t get started on its own overnight. I didn’t fancy another night of waiting so I decided on immediate induction. One dose of gel was inserted and I was told, “This probably won’t work and then we’ll need to give you another dose in the morning, so try and rest.” Fat chance of that! Within a couple of hours I was having strong and regular contractions. What I remember most clearly is a fierce burning sensation in my lower back. Mentally, I found the start of each contraction was the worst, because I knew it was only going to build in intensity. At the peak of each contraction, although the pain was at its worst, I felt calmer knowing that it would soon die away. Initially they were far enough apart that I could smile and joke between contractions, and I was still able to stand. When I had discussed my birth plan with my midwife I had said that I wanted to remain as upright and active as possible during my labour, but I only managed to complete one lap of the labour ward before things got too intense for me to walk around. The hospital midwives hooked me up to the foetal monitor at that stage, which limited walking and moving anyway.I loved hearing my baby’s heartbeat, and found it really reassuring. It also gave me something to focus on. By early evening my contractions were coming right on top of each other, with no time for recovery in between. I was shaking with exertion, and kept on vomiting every time I tried to lay down. Dehydration became an issue and so I was hooked up to an IV. Gas and air helped a little bit - the rubber mouthpiece was great to chomp on! I managed to spend some time sitting on a swiss ball rather than leaning on the bed, and the rest of my waters came out in a rush all over the floor. Birth can be messy! I had my eyes clenched shut through most of this time, but my poor partner saw it all. All I can remember clearly from this stage was his voice, calm and clear, urging me to breathe more slowly. One of the most amazing things to come from my birth experience was the closeness I felt with him. Going through such an intense experience together really does transform your relationship to another level. By around 10pm I had reached my limit and I requested an epidural. Unfortunately, due to low staffing in the ward I wasn’t able to receive one straight away. Then two women in the labour ward had emergencies,
18 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
