(11) Complicated birth stories
Carol - had pre-eclampsia during her first pregnancy
I found out I was pregnant seven weeks before my wedding. I was overjoyed since everyone told me that after 30 it takes
months and months of trying to actually get pregnant. I got pregnant the very first try. I had a textbook pregnancy, with
the usual morning sickness for about 12 weeks. Then at 27 weeks I mentioned to the doctor that I had Braxton Hicks contractions
every 15 minutes, every day and every hour. He immediately threw me into the labour ward for monitoring. Guess what? They
were just Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Fast forward to the last 10 weeks. I planned to have a very natural birth no intervention, no drugs, nothing. I took classes,
which teach relaxation and how to handle the labour. I wrote a birth plan that my doctor laughed at but still managed to sign,
and he stated he would follow it as best he could.
At my 36-week scan, the nurse stated my blood pressure was really high and I needed to lie down on my left side before
they would do the ultrasound. After five more blood pressure checks it finally came down and we proceeded with the ultrasound.
I then forgot all about my blood pressure being high. Now bear in mind that I read loads of books on natural childbirth. I
had always naively skipped the parts about complications and C sections since I was having a "natural" birth!!!.
At my 38-week appointment the nurse took my blood pressure and frowned. Then she took it again and again.
On my due date I dutifully went into labour we arrived at the hospital and I got put in a room. The nurse checked me and
I was 6 centimetres. She asked if I wanted an epidural, “No I want a natural birth” I told her, "Here is my birth
plan if you would care to read it." She smirked at me and flicked through the pages.
Next she checked my urine and my blood pressure and started running around. I had no idea what was going on. She asked
me if I had a headache, blurred vision or numbness. I said no. She was shaking her head and called my doctor immediately.
She then told me I needed an epidural now. I freaked out. I said no epidural. Then the chief of anaesthesia came into my room
and said he was giving me an epidural now. Again, I was fighting this. She then went on to explain that I had severe toxaemia
and I was very close to a stroke and the epidural would lower the blood pressure. When put like that I had no choice!
Now I was 9 centimetres and was so close to my natural birth. Basically the epidural never kicked in and I felt the whole
delivery. I also had a 4th degree tear but managed to get my son out in 21 minutes of pushing. The only thing that really
came out of my birth plan was I got to hold my son while they cut the cord.
Now I am wiser and have read all the complication stories. I also realized that you can't put your mind to how you are
going to deliver. I had one picture in my mind of how it was going to be and now I am older and wiser and realize you just
have to go with the flow. Good luck to you all.
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Wendy, Slough - C section after prolong labour
I woke at 1:30 in the morning needing to go to the toilet. As I got off the toilet and walked to the basin, water trickled
down my leg. I had always expected a big gush of fluid when my water broke so I just put it down to the baby was pressing
on my bladder and I had just wet myself. After changing pyjamas I went back to bed, and almost immediately starting having
back pain. The pains were mild to start with so I didn't realize that I had started labour, as once again I didn't expect
my contractions to be in my back. I stayed in bed with a hot pack until 5:30 that's when the penny dropped and I thought OK,
here we go!
I rang the hospital and told them what was happening. They weren't really concerned and told me it was up to me as to when
I wanted to go in. Being my first baby, I felt completely unsure as to what was happening. So I had a long, hot shower and
made my way to the hospital. When I got there all they did was confirm that my waters had broken and that I was having mild
and irregular contractions. They told me to go home and come back when I couldn't stand the pain anymore. Charming, but I
didn't think too much of that at the time. I was happy to go home and labour in comfort.
Once I got home, I called my aunt, who is a retired midwife, and gave her the update. She went mad, telling me that the
hospital should never have sent me home once my waters had broken, as I could easily get an infection! I went back to the
hospital at noon, as I couldn't take the pain any longer. Once there I was put in the waiting room with another soon-to-be
mum. I was so uncomfortable and none of the midwives came anywhere near me. By this stage I hadn't had an internal so I had
no idea what stage I was at, and I was definitely not happy.
Finally, a midwife came to see me and I asked to be put in a delivery suite. She reluctantly organized that. I even had
to ask for an internal. When that was finally done at 1:30, I was 6 centimetres dilated. Things seemed to be moving along
nicely.
I was in terrible pain and crying for some pain medication. They started me with the gas and air. Ah, that was beautiful,
although I couldn’t take it for too long, as it made feel sick. So my midwife gave me Pethedine. What a relief; I was
finally able to rest.
By 4:30 I was 10 centimetres dilated and had the urge to push. I was pushing and pushing yet felt like I was achieving
nothing. For hours my midwife was telling me that my baby was only a fingertip away and one more push. By 8 p.m. I had had
enough. I had burst every blood vessel in my eyes and face from the constant pushing and had absolutely no energy left. A
doctor was called after three and a half hours of pushing to do an examination on me. My midwife declared that my baby was
posterior, meaning she was coming out face up rather than face down. So she called a doctor when he saw the state of me, and
did an internal, he raced me off to surgery for an emergency C section. My husband was so angry and on the way out he yelled
at my midwife for letting me get to this state. At 9 p.m. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Hope.
I was so traumatized by the way in which my midwife handled my labour. It was supposed to be the best experience of my
life, giving birth to my first child. I understand that there are sometimes complications involved in delivery. This could
have been avoided, if my midwife had been doing her job properly.
If I can offer advice to anyone, please get to know your midwife prior to your birth. That way all parties have a personal
interest invested in your delivery.
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Judy - baby born by C section after having cord tied around its neck
My first pregnancy started out to be healthy. In fact my doctor had even told me that I was one of her healthiest patients.
But when I went back to see her two weeks later the ultrasound showed that my baby was growing even though he was a little
small; my placenta and cord were still giving nutrients to my baby and my fluids were low but not dangerously low. I just
had to continue to take it easy and keep drinking plenty of fluids and visit regularly. Once I started seeing my doctor every
week she started to notice my weight gain. One week I would gain a pound and the next week up to 5 pounds even thought my
eating habits and lifestyle never changed. She described to me the signs of pre-eclampsia and to call her once I had any.
At 39 weeks I went in for my second appointment that week. My test results still hadn't came in so my husband and I went
home. At 5 my G.P. finally called me and asked if I was ready to have a baby. She had me go to labour since I had traces of
protein in my urine. (All my urine tests previously had been fine except for a few traces of blood.)
I arrived at the hospital at 7 pm at 2 centimetres they set me up in my room. At 3 a.m. when my contractions weren't progressing
they started me on a drip. Finally my doctor and nurse broke my waters and at around 5:45 pm I finally asked for the epidural.
Immediately after I received my epidural my doctor and nurse came in to check my cervix, they soon realized there was a lump
around the babies neck it was actually his cord, and my nurse jumped on my bed and kept pressure on my baby's head so that
it wouldn't compress his cord and cut off his oxygen. My doctor was telling my family and me that even though they seemed
calm that it was actually an emergency and they had to get the baby out quickly. So they wheeled me to the operating room
while my husband changed into scrubs.
Once there they gave me more anaesthesia that went all the way up to my neck (which wasn't supposed to happen). When my
husband finally walked into the room, which felt like forever, he said they had barely taken our baby's head out and that
his cord was wrapped around him three times. But he was born safely; Mathew Joe was born 11th Aug at 5.45 pm, he
weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces, a very healthy boy.
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Donna - had an emergency C section after a very long labour
It was a surprise, but we were ecstatic with the news that we would be having a child. Despite the morning sickness that
plagued me for the first 16 weeks, my pregnancy was great for the most part. We opted to learn the sex of the baby as soon
as possible, we would be having a girl! We were over the moon.
By the 28th week my blood pressure began to climb, and week after week my body retained water like a thirsty desert! By
week 32, I couldn't wear any of my shoes, or my husband's, and was left to purchase a pair of men's size 11 mules. Attractive,
to say the very least, but hey, it was better than being bare foot.
On September the 29th, 2005 I developed a wicked toothache. I took a few paracetamol thinking that my pain would
be dulled down and eventually go away, I was so wrong. I stayed up all night pacing back and forth, trying every conceivable
remedy or trick to stop the throbbing pain in my mouth (which now gravitated to my head, back and neck). By the next morning,
I was in tears. I thought that I was about to lose touch with sanity, the pain was so bad. All the while I was thinking how
am I going to make it through labour if I can’t deal with a toothache?
I didn't know that along with taking control of your stomach, rear end, legs and boobs, those little developing babies
also sap extreme amounts of calcium from you during pregnancy. I was told it was common for women to experience some type
of dental procedure either during pregnancy, or right after birth. Wasn't in any of the books I read! After much pleading
the dentist removed the tooth.
On September 26th (after a great night of sleep) I had my regular weekly doctor's check-up. I finally succeeded
to get it in the cup and submitted my sample to the nurse for testing. Well, her eyes practically bulged out of her head,
and she stormed into an exam room where the doctor was with another patient and said that there was an emergency. My husband
and I were looking around the waiting room trying to figure out what the emergency was. No sooner than I turn my head back
to where the nurse was last barking at the doctor, I'm being ushered into a room, told to strip down and “keep very
calm” she said. Well, thanks I was fine till I came here.
So I did what I was told, took off my clothes and waited for the doctor. He showed up and said the baby had to come out
TODAY! Apparently protein had in my urine I would have to be induced. My blood pressure was way up. My bag had been packed
by week 35, so I was all ready to go we waited for the hospital to call us when a bed was free, around 5 pm I called to hear
that they were too busy, and that they would call me when they had an open bed. Three hours later they called, so off we went,
taking a longing look at the house and realizing that we would be bringing back our daughter in a short time.
Once at the hospital, we got settled in, waited for the doctor to explain the induction process no gel some rubbish about
my cervix so I ended up with a drip it was now about 11 pm I was wired in for the night. The monitor started registering contractions,
which I couldn't feel. My nurse was absolutely wonderful. She came to check on me every 45 minutes, and good thing too, because
I had to pee every time. She'd unhook me and help me to the toilet and then re-hook me and get me comfortable again, knowing
that she'd have to repeat this cycle every 45 minutes until her shift ended the next morning at 7 am.
The next day! My contractions were quite irregular, and I still felt no pain. The doctor checked me for dilation, and nope,
nothing. After monitoring my blood pressure, which came down significantly through the night, I was told that I would be moved
to the maternity ward for 24-hour monitoring. There was no movement so I was sent home.
On 1st of October, just three days from my due date, I had a doctor’s appointment. I was feeling a little achy, so
I decided to take a longer hot shower than usual. Big mistake. I finished up in the shower, dried my hair, put on a little
make up and was ready to go.
Then the smell hit me! We had a dog, and I thought that she had had an accident in the house. I was thinking to myself,
I have to bend down and clean up this mess. This is just so not funny. Well, as I came around the corner ready to read our
dog the riot act, I slipped yup, flat on my backside. Unfortunately it wasn’t the dog it was our toilet. So there I
was, sitting in it, not knowing what the hell to do. After changing my clothes and calling every plumber in the book I finally
managed to get someone to come out and take a look, only to be told that the pipe was blocked and he would need industrial
equipment. Just take care of it please. I don't care what you do or what it costs just do it! Needless to say, I cancelled
my appointment and rearranged it for the next day.
The next day an internal examination confirmed that I was dilated 1 cm, “Finally” I thought. I got back to
the comfort of my home, cleaned up and made some lunch. I tried to rest in the afternoon, watching some telly, while my contractions
became a bit more intense, but still five minutes apart. I called the hospital. I was told to come in, and so we headed off,
again, but knowing this time that we would come back with our daughter! Much to my surprise, I had only dilated to 2 centimetres.
How could that be? I was so discouraged. The realization that I would not be able to tolerate the pain of labour without drugs
was probably going to be my fate. The hospital said that I should go home because it would most likely be a while before I
progressed further. After advising the hospital that we lived some 40 miles away, we were told to walk around outside for
a couple of hours on the hospital grounds and then come back for another check-up.
Three hours later the pain came back with a vengeance, and I thought, OK, we've got to be closer now. Not really. I was
only 3 centimetres. How could that be? I was in so much pain. I would never make it to 10, yet alone push thereafter. Oh my
God, what I have I gotten myself into? Was my only thought. After seeing my display of emotions, the nurses finally gave me
a room to labour in. I immediately jumped into the shower, which seemed to help relieve muscle stress in my neck and shoulders.
I was given a shot of and floated off into a semi-conscious state. At 4 in the morning, the pain, like clockwork, returned
more aggressively. I dealt with the pain for a few hours by practicing breathing with Hubby and recollecting funny moments
and stories. This was a tremendous help. Laughter helps to sooth all kinds of pain, even in the grips of labour. At 7 am 4
centimetres!!!. My only thought was that this was going to be a long day. I was advised to walk about, but what helped the
most was laughing. My poor Hubby must have thought to himself, I'm running out of material here. When are you going to have
this child?
Finally at 4 p.m. the latest internal showed that I had not progressed past 4 centimetres. Talk about discouraging! I was
told to help move labour along, my waters had to be broken. OK, I said, on one condition, I want an epidural now. I'm tired;
I've tolerated escalating pain for well over 30 hours. They agreed, almost instantly the pain subsided, and I felt calm and
confident that I could go on and finish this delivery thing!
12 o’clock my epidural would no longer work and I had reached 10 centimetres and could begin to push. Well great,
can I go to the bathroom first? Nope, the nurse said that sensation was pressure building and was an indication to push. OK,
I was game.
I started to push, and push, and push and push. My body completely took over. Forget that counting thing. My body was going
to push when it wanted to. And so it did for four hours. After about three hours, I couldn't lift my head alone anymore. I
was completely spent. The staff tried to get me to go on my side and try to push from that position I was not having it. After
another hour, I could see the worry on my husband's face. All I could think about was getting this kid out of me. They prepared
the room for a crash C-section and gave me some stronger drugs, which made me sick instantly as well as shake from head to
toe. Once the drugs kicked in my mood changed to serenity. I was asked to stop moving so that the incision could be made cleanly.
Yeah sure, doctor, I'll get right on it. Finally after 48 hours of labour, our daughter was born Emma weighed a whopping 10
pounds, 7 ounces. Good luck to all women expecting. No matter what happens, it's the best experience life has to offer you!
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Emma - delivered her baby then had to return as she had a retained placenta
I was 18 years old and had been having a headache all day, my husband came home and said, I better call the doctor and
let him know. So the doctor said for me to come in and get checked out. I was 39 weeks pregnant.
We got to the hospital I was left in the waiting area as the place was full and there were no more rooms to place anyone
in. They were all full. So I waited with several other women. I heard a woman from one of the rooms screaming and swearing
and I looked at my husband and said, Please don't let me get to that point.
I was finally checked out and the monitor indicated that I was having contractions that were 90 seconds in length (I didn't
feel any of them). So they decided to keep me. I finally was placed in a room, the doctor decided to induce me and break my
waters after 24 hours of labour and me trying to bite my husband's finger off because he was checking to make sure I was breathing
after I said I was.
It was time to go to the delivery room. I couldn't stop bleeding so they kept giving me these shots in my arms and massaging
my uterus. I came very close to having a hysterectomy. But luckily the bleeding stopped and I was then stable enough to hold
my baby, who was 7 pounds, 20 ounces. She was beautiful and was worth it all.
I was back in the hospital one week later. The reason I wouldn't stop bleeding was because I had a retained placenta. But
everything is OK; I have had two other children since!
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Jane - baby born with cord wrapped around its neck
As soon as the word pregnant appeared on the digital test, we hoped we would have a baby girl. I went through 5 months
of awful morning sickness where I lost 30 pounds, and spent one short month in pregnant bliss.
Like many mums at 6 months we had our birth plan all worked out and were ready for an all-natural birth. Two weeks later,
our daughter started trying to come into this world very early. I was put on medication and bed rest until the 8th month.
The third week of month 8 I began to have light contractions, and was dilated to 2.5 centimetres. I was in the early stages
of labour from then until two days before her due date. I called the hospital and they suggested we came in, when we arrived
we went through the normal routine and when the nurse came to check on us we were discussing what I would make for dinner
when we got home. The nurse looked up and said, "You aren't going home. You are dilated to 5 centimetres."
After the shock wore off we were permitted to walk the lower levels until they had a room ready. Once we were settled in
a room, the nice chipper blonde nurse told us to settle in and get comfy. They had a copy of our birth plan and she said they
would abide by it unless it put either our daughter or me in danger.
Around 9 pm she told me to lie on my back and take a nap. Anyone see a problem? The doctor came in and broke my waters.
I was so exhausted at that point that the thought of "natural" went out the window. I agreed to the epidural. At 11:09 pm
(I was staring at the clock), that needle went into my back. I was at 7 centimetres, but because I was so tired they felt
the epidural was still a good idea. As soon as that needle went in, my heart monitor went out! My nurse bolted into another
room, grabbed a new monitor cart.
Within 10 minutes I had relief. I thought the rest would be easy when the doctor walked in and said, "Are we ready to have
a baby?" I nodded, smiling, and my husband nodded, scared to death. Between 11:15 am and 12:02 pm our daughter's heart rate
dropped, the doctor had to use suction, only to find out that the cord was wrapped around her neck three times. The doctor
was so calm and skilled that my husband never even knew anything was wrong! Samantha Lucy came into this world at 8 pounds.
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Laura - gave birth to a healthy boy after a problem epidural
After seven months of trying to conceive, I was finally pregnant with our first child! My husband and I cherished everything
about my pregnancy. All was going normally until I was about 33 weeks along. At this time, I started feeling a lot of pressure
in my pelvic area. I called my doctor and talked to the nurse, who told me that it was normal to feel pressure at this stage
of pregnancy. Being that this was my first pregnancy, I didn't have anything to compare it to, but I asked to come in to be
checked anyway. She agreed and lucky for us, we did! Turns out, my entire pelvic floor had lowered and my son's head was engaged!
However, the problem was that I was not dilated, so my doctor sent me home with instruction to rest. After two weeks of lying
around, I had one intense pain in my back. About five minutes later, my waters broke! Since I was five weeks early with broken
waters, I knew that the hospital couldn’t send me back home, so we left our house after about 30 minutes.
After about 15 minutes of driving, my contractions began, only two minutes apart. Within minutes, they were only 45 seconds
apart! My husband began driving over 100 miles per hour! What should have been a 90-minute trip only took us 50 minutes!
When I arrived, I was taken straight to labour ward, where the nurse checked my cervix, which was 8 centimetres dilated!
The doctor attempted my epidural, but entered the spinal space instead. This caused my blood pressure to drop and completely
paralyzed me from just under my breastbone down. At this time, the doctor came in and was going to check me. When he looked,
the baby was crowning and his ears were nearly out! Unfortunately I couldn't feel enough to push.
An hour and a half later, I felt a very slight pull under my breastbone. The doctor decided to let me try to push since
my son had been crowned for so long, less that four hours after that first pain in my back, Mattie was born: 5 pounds, 10
ounces, the most amazing experience of my life!
Dawn, - Had Diabetes but delivered normallyI was 25 years old when I found out I was expecting, I had heard so many stories
about diabetics having babies, all the problems and I was very nervous so I went to my doctor when I was only one week late,
after three home tests. She said I was definitely pregnant! From that point on my life changed. I left the doctor's in tears
of both joy, because I never thought I could get pregnant and complete fear of the unknown.
As my pregnancy progressed I felt really good until about my 7th month. My blood sugars were great and all my tests were
outstanding. I had only gained 15 pounds. Then as I entered my 7th month I gained 11 pounds in one month, and my blood sugars
were always low, in the middle of the night, during the day. I became worried. The doctor said the baby was getting big and
I was gaining weight that I didn't want to gain, and my blood pressure was raised. I had to stop work because I was so swollen
and my blood pressure was high. I was supposed to be on bed rest,
I ended up at the hospital on Christmas Eve. I started having contractions, and my blood gases were very high. My blood
sugar was low, but they wanted me to wait it out and see if I could deliver naturally. I wanted to experience that so badly,
but when it got to be December 26 at noon, and now my health and the baby's were at risk, I couldn't take it anymore. I just
wanted the baby out. On December 26, I delivered my first born son, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, healthy baby boy. My son is now 6
and healthy as he can be. And for me, my diabetes is still under better control than it ever has been, and I won't trade that
experience for the world.
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Kelly Anne - Had a 3 pound baby through C section
My husband and I had been trying to conceive for almost two years. Finally the day arrived when the window on the stick
read positive and we were ecstatic! After two more tests we began to do the thing they tell you not to do tell our family
and friends, we just couldn‘t keep quiet.
By the 4th month we both were anxious to see my belly grow and have some kind of visible proof that this baby existed.
At 5 months, my weight gain was less than 3 pounds and I continued thinking that I was right on track and congratulated myself
on not putting on a lot of weight that I'd have to sweat off later. Friends and family were amazed at how small my belly was.
I bought maternity clothes because I thought they were cute rather than out of necessity. At 6 months I noticed some swelling
in my hands and mentioned it to my doctor. Because my urine tests showed no protein and my blood pressure was normal, he had
little concern about a little water retention now and then. I also asked him the one nagging question in the back of my mind:
"Is my baby growing normally?" Immediately he measured my belly and set me up for a scan to determine the size of the baby,
all the while encouraging me not to listen to others’ experiences, as every pregnancy is different. But he hoped to
eliminate my fears by ordering the ultrasound. It was determined that my baby was on the small side and I was called in to
my doctor's office for further consultation. At this visit my blood pressure had risen although no protein showed in my urine.
After lying on my left side, my blood pressure went back down. Still, to be on the safe side my G.P. ordered another ultrasound
at 7 months, and this time the results came back as the baby suffering from IUGR (intra-uterine growth restriction) I had
never heard of it and was very worried. I was ordered on immediate bed rest and began that day. I was also scheduled for bi-weekly
appointments throughout the remainder of my pregnancy for foetal monitoring and regular blood pressure readings.
By 7 1/2 months it was obvious that my pre- eclampsia was not going away and had it had every intention of worsening. My
baby's heart rate was dropping to below 80 beats a minute and I was rushed from my GP’s to the hospital. Unfortunately,
I had to have a C- section because of my blood pressure. I arrived at the hospital at 2 pm I changed into a hospital gown
and my belly was shaved (I'm not sure why because there was no hair there). I was hooked up all the equipment I spoke with
my anaesthesiologist, who held my hand and told me everything would be fine and that the surgery would take place by 5. At
4:30 pm I was taken to the theatre and given an epidural. I shook uncontrollably and felt like an icicle which is apparently
normal! The nurses were excellent, wrapping me up in blankets and one of them hugging me while I tried to get warm. Surgery
began shortly after 4:30 pm, and at 5:05 pm my angel was delivered, Harry Simon weighed only 3 pounds, 8 ounces, but he was
completely healthy! He stayed in the special care for two and a half weeks when he finally came home he was a whole pound
heavier. I hope it gives someone a little hope that even really tough pregnancies and medical issues can result in something
amazing!
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Nicola - had C section after suffering pre-eclampsiaI
I was 24 and healthy when I got pregnant with my only child. Quite early on in my pregnancy the doctor said I had pre-eclampsia.
I stayed in the hospital on bed rest for two weeks before I had a C section at 7 1/2 months. I felt sad, and I was really
scared. I had to have the C-section after my weight ballooned and I was at risk of a stroke. But against the odds I had a
4-pound, 11 ounce, healthy baby boy. He stayed in the hospital two weeks. Unfortunately, now I have severe depression and
still have to take high blood pressure medicine, but I would not be without him.
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Sharon - Had her son after having her labour slowed at 32 weeks
I found out that I was pregnant when I was 4 weeks, so I got to do everything right. I took my prenatal vitamin every day
and my iron, folic acid pills. I was so smug and felt so prepared. I only gained 31 pounds, but I still felt like a blimp.
On the day that I was 32 weeks I came home and told my mum I was having cramps. She said not to worry about it, "its just
Braxton hicks". So I went to bed and slept them off.
The next day I had a doctor's appointment at 10:30, but when I woke up at 7 I was having really bad cramps. I called my
mum, and she said to call the doctor. But I thought I would just wait for the appointment. I got there and told the doctor.
He said there was probably nothing to worry about, but he would check me just in case. He did, and I found that I was already
dilated to 2 1/2 centimetres! He sent me to the hospital to try to stop my labour. I stayed in hospital for two days, my contractions
slowed down, so they sent me home. The 14th I came back yet again and I just knew I would have my boy. I got there at 6 pm,
and I was a little over four centimetres. By 8 pm I was at 6, and at 11:50 pm I was at 8. I had my son at 12:17 am no medicine,
and actually very little pain. I only pushed for 20 minutes, but it was hard. It was the best experience of my life.
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Lucy - had bleeding a 8 wks and contractions at 20 but had her baby after being induced
I had three sons and the one thing I secretly hoped for was a little girl. Time went on and when my youngest son was 18
months old, I had a really good job. Right after my youngest son's second birthday, I got pregnant. I was so scared because
I finally had everything I wanted and now it was changing. I started bleeding at eight weeks and my attitude changed completely.
Now the most important thing to me was saving my child. At around 20 weeks, I started cramping and had to go to the hospital.
This happened a couple of times over the next few weeks. At 23 weeks, while at work, I started having contractions every 10
minutes. I left work immediately, and thank God, everything stopped. My doctor urged me to go on bed rest, but I was afraid
of losing my new job. After hours of talking with my husband, we decided the baby was the most important thing so I left work.
The rest of my pregnancy went well. I had a couple of scares, but we got through them all. My doctor and I were convinced
that I would go early. I went three weeks early with the first and two weeks early with the second, but not this time. I was
extremely uncomfortable the last few weeks and couldn't wait for my pregnancy to be over. At my 39-week check-up, my doctor
agreed to induce me on my due date.
We got to the hospital and because I was positive for strep, I was given an antibiotic and then had to wait around for
six hours before the induction. The contractions started right away and were intense. At 7 pm, my midwife checked me and I
was only 2 1/2 centimetres dilated I was given an epidural, wonderful no pain.
Everything was going great until at about 11 pm, the baby's heartbeat dropped into the 60. An oxygen mask was placed on
my face and I was turned on each one of my sides, but nothing was working to bring my baby's heartbeat back. Finally, my midwife
turned me on my belly and pushed my knees up to my shoulders. I don't know why, but after 17 minutes, this finally worked.
At around 1 a.m., I started feeling a lot of pain, so my epidural was topped off. I then started feeling a lot of pressure
with each contraction, but it wasn't painful, so the nurse told me that the baby was just moving down and to let it go as
long as it wasn't painful. At about 2 am, I was finally dozing off and suddenly the baby's heartbeat dropped again. My husband
got the nurse, who then got my midwife. When my midwife checked me, the baby was very low. I was told to start pushing and
with the first push, my baby's head was born. The baby then birthed herself with no more help from me. Finally, after all
this time, I heard the most beautiful words in the world, it’s a girl!!. Katie Helen, born weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces.
Jo - had her son after a forceps delivery
It was early in the morning and I had to go to the bathroom again, so I got up and went. I was just lying down when I felt
the urge to pee AGAIN, so I got up again and went to the bathroom. I had been sitting on the toilet for about 20 seconds when
I realized that I was peeing for a long time. I tried to stop it but I couldn't. I called my husband to the bathroom and asked
him what was going on and he said that it sounded like my waters had broken, why didn‘t I think of that I thought.
I got dressed and we went to the hospital, when we got settled into our room I asked the nurse if the doctor could come
in and check me to see where I was at because I was having a lot of pain. When he came in and checked he said I was at 2 centimetres
dilated about 14 hours later I was finally gave in and had an epidural. But that did slow down the contractions so they had
to induced. At about 20 hours the doctor said it was time to push. After a few hours of that the doctor said that the baby
was turned sideways so I had to push while the doctor turned him slowly. When the baby was turned the right way I had to push
some more. At 24hours the doctor said that I need to push this baby out or they were going to have to do a C section. So I
tried my hardest when finally the doctor said that he was going to help me. So he had to pull the baby out with forceps. My
son was finally born at 7:40, he was 8 pounds, 10 ounces. He had a huge bruised head but he was a healthy little boy. We named
him Michael James.
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