We have found our groove as a family.

I had spotting on the night of the 8th. This was a little worrisome, as last time I had that during pregnancy I had a miscarriage. I rang the birthing suite, they told me to come up. The doctor did a vaginal exam and a speculum exam. (I was really nervous about this as I have a bit of a fear/phobia as I have to have colposcopies yearly due to abnormal cells on my cervix.) They offered me gas, but it didn't really work for me. The bleeding was old blood from a biopsy in 2011. I went home and they asked me to come back for assessment at 9:30 in the morning. I had a fantastic doctor. Aimee was her name.

I took my hospital bags when I went up for assessment the next morning. After being assessed they weren't happy with the results from the monitor and suggested I be induced. I was happy with this as it seemed to be the best for the baby. I called Leigh and got my bags from the car. When they did vaginal exam, to insert the cervical ripening balloon, the gas worked this time. I held on for dear life to the midwifes hand as I had the vagina exams as I really do not like them and my pain threshold is low. The gas really helped and the encouragement of the doctor and midwife.

The rest of the afternoon went well. Leigh was a bit on edges coz he didn't feel prepared and left stuff at home so I sent him home around 10 pm. I was feeling fine. The midwife came around with panadeine forte and a sleeping tablet, which I turned down firstly. But when I inquired about it being safe, and they said yes. It would help with the pain overnight and allowed me to sleep, before breaking my waters at 6am.

At midnight I was drifting off to sleep feeling quite comfy and my waters broke on their own. We rang Leigh and I had another vagina exam. They started me on the synthetic hormone drip and I decided to have an epidural. I was around 2-4cm dilated I think. I discussed with the doctor that I think it would be best if I got it earlier rather than later as it would relax me a bit as I was quite nervous and anxious about the pain. I was really happy with this decision. I felt the epidural was scary, and I was very off with the fairies. I couldn't feel any contractions but the baby could and his heart rate would drop. He didn't “like” the contractions and they could tell this because I opted for the baby to be monitored the whole time. I also chose to have Antibiotics for Group B Strep.

They decided for a caesarean section as baby was not liking the contractions.

I was scared on my way to theatre, as I thought I would feel them cut my tummy open. I had a little tear and Leigh seeing me tearing up also. I held one of the theatre staff’s hands. I found all the staff very comforting and took comfort in them when going through procedures rather than Leigh. I would get Leigh to step outside when I would have the VE's or the epidural. But it was nice having him in the background if I needed. I really did seek lots of assurance from the medical staff.

River was born at 5:23am. Leigh held him skin to skin as I was too scared to hold him while they were finishing the operation. In recovery River had skin to skin with me and began feeding.

Leigh was fantastic help in the days to follow recovering from the c section.

It was a bit of spin out being in hospital for 3 days straight in that room. The first week at home was very hard as it was scary bringing River home. I was pretty anxious and was worried about things that could happen to him. Always checking on his breathing and colour.

It took 2 weeks before I really feel more settled and relaxed and confident.

I've had trouble feeding. River fed from the breast for 10 days but wasn't putting on weight. I went to see a lactation consultant; River was having trouble latching. I was very stressed and nervous because I really wanted to be able to breast feed him. We expressed for 24 hours, 3 hourly and that was exhausting. For all 3 of us and I felt like I had no time with River. After another conversation with the lactation consultant, I decided to formula feed and express twice a day as I wasn't getting enough milk come through either.

River has surpassed his birth weight and is doing really well. I'm struggling to get milk out of the 2 expresses a day but will have a follow up appointment with the lactation consultant next week.

River is now 2.5 weeks old, he is beautiful and we have found our groove as a family of 3. He is a beautiful boy x

I especially loved Dr Aimee and my midwife Isabelle who helped us through our birthing night

Debra Wakefield11 November 2021Comment