catcoyne's Birth Story
Submitted by catcoyne
This was my first pregnancy, and all went very smoothly..no vomiting or swelling, weird food cravings, or even stretch marks.
So I thought, "I'm well able for this, what are they all giving out about?!"
My due date came and went, my parents came to stay with us expecting to see a baby (from Ireland to Australia)...no baby. So a week later my waters broke as I was in the waiting room for my 41 week check, and to arrange induction, typical isn't it?.. Poor dad!
So seeing as though we were already in the hospital, they monitored me for a half hour and were registering contractions but I couldn't feel anything. They sent me home with a info sheet on what to do and what not to do.
About 11 that night myself and my partner drove into the hospital, I was having contractions 5 mins apart, and although they weren't 'killing' me...I couldn't listen to my mam telling me how it would get a lot worse anymore. Was like a 'ate a bad curry' pain at that stage!...LOL
So, in there they monitored me, took urine took blood...decided to give me a saline drip, that's one piece of advice I'll give is make sure you're well hydrated, cause it gave me the chills and I was shivering and chattering for about 3 hours. Took the gas, thought it was magic for a couple of hours and then it just wasn't doing it anymore, the contractions were really strong (raspberry leaf tea). Into the birthing suite, wow, was really impressive, huge room with big bathroom and all the rest.
I know it's really silly now, but at the time I was really embarrassed that I was dripping everywhere and walking around with just a string vest on. I somehow managed to maintain some dignity and pull over the curtain at the doorway, so visiting fathers and anyone happen to be passing couldn't see me.
The gas started to wreck my head, my throat was dry as a bone and I couldn't breath properly, so I chucked it. I asked for the epidural...half-heartedly. I needed something but couldn't face being poked at anymore. My midwife offered me Pethadine, and I didn't care what I'd heard about it I took it. It made a huge difference. I feel asleep between contractions and sat there with a big dopey smile on my face. Felt contractions but they were much more manageable.
By the time it wore off, I felt like I needed to go for a poo...went to the loo a few times but nothing. The midwife checked and I was fully dilated, so the urge to push was the baby! I was so paranoid about doing a poo when pushing that I didn't really want to, especially seeing as though at this stage there were two midwives a trainee and my partner looking at me. But You have to push as hard as you can don't ya?!
The head started to crown but then she would slip back inside...this kept happening and after 1 hour of this the baby's heart rate started to drop so out came the scissors. That was the most painful experience I've ever had...but I cant even remember it anymore, I just remember thinking it had to end soon, and it did. It was only a minute or two and she was out. After that it was like an out of body experience, people were coming in to congratulate me. I have no idea who they were! think one was ward doctor or something. I was as high as kite, loved everyone and everything.
I swore 'never again', kept thinking of the pain the blood and the embarrassment. But 9 weeks on, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I have a fantastic baby! And I'm actually having sex again and looking forward to doing it all again (in few years).
p.s. I got so down whenever I looked or felt my new vagina, but with a bit of time its looks a lot better and sex is much more comfortable to be honest!
Read more birth stories or share YOUR birth story now!
My due date came and went, my parents came to stay with us expecting to see a baby (from Ireland to Australia)...no baby. So a week later my waters broke as I was in the waiting room for my 41 week check, and to arrange induction, typical isn't it?.. Poor dad!
So seeing as though we were already in the hospital, they monitored me for a half hour and were registering contractions but I couldn't feel anything. They sent me home with a info sheet on what to do and what not to do.
About 11 that night myself and my partner drove into the hospital, I was having contractions 5 mins apart, and although they weren't 'killing' me...I couldn't listen to my mam telling me how it would get a lot worse anymore. Was like a 'ate a bad curry' pain at that stage!...LOL
So, in there they monitored me, took urine took blood...decided to give me a saline drip, that's one piece of advice I'll give is make sure you're well hydrated, cause it gave me the chills and I was shivering and chattering for about 3 hours. Took the gas, thought it was magic for a couple of hours and then it just wasn't doing it anymore, the contractions were really strong (raspberry leaf tea). Into the birthing suite, wow, was really impressive, huge room with big bathroom and all the rest.
I know it's really silly now, but at the time I was really embarrassed that I was dripping everywhere and walking around with just a string vest on. I somehow managed to maintain some dignity and pull over the curtain at the doorway, so visiting fathers and anyone happen to be passing couldn't see me.
The gas started to wreck my head, my throat was dry as a bone and I couldn't breath properly, so I chucked it. I asked for the epidural...half-heartedly. I needed something but couldn't face being poked at anymore. My midwife offered me Pethadine, and I didn't care what I'd heard about it I took it. It made a huge difference. I feel asleep between contractions and sat there with a big dopey smile on my face. Felt contractions but they were much more manageable.
By the time it wore off, I felt like I needed to go for a poo...went to the loo a few times but nothing. The midwife checked and I was fully dilated, so the urge to push was the baby! I was so paranoid about doing a poo when pushing that I didn't really want to, especially seeing as though at this stage there were two midwives a trainee and my partner looking at me. But You have to push as hard as you can don't ya?!
The head started to crown but then she would slip back inside...this kept happening and after 1 hour of this the baby's heart rate started to drop so out came the scissors. That was the most painful experience I've ever had...but I cant even remember it anymore, I just remember thinking it had to end soon, and it did. It was only a minute or two and she was out. After that it was like an out of body experience, people were coming in to congratulate me. I have no idea who they were! think one was ward doctor or something. I was as high as kite, loved everyone and everything.
I swore 'never again', kept thinking of the pain the blood and the embarrassment. But 9 weeks on, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I have a fantastic baby! And I'm actually having sex again and looking forward to doing it all again (in few years).
p.s. I got so down whenever I looked or felt my new vagina, but with a bit of time its looks a lot better and sex is much more comfortable to be honest!
Read more birth stories or share YOUR birth story now!
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