When Dannie met sammie
I had a pretty good, and easy pregnancy. We found out at 20 weeks we were having a girl, I was very excited to have a little mini. I went to all my appointments and at each one I was told the likelihood of me giving birth earlier than 40 weeks was very high. So mentally I prepared myself. However that never happened.
I stopped work around 37 weeks because it was summer and I was just too swollen. I had several stretch & sweeps, several appointments and eventually we set an induction date, at 42 weeks! She was now 10 days late! At this appointment I was told my body was showing no signs of going into labour and that my body would probably not ever do it naturally. So at 42 + 2 weeks I was induced. I didn't have a birth plan going in, all I knew was I didn't want the epidural.
So the tape was inserted and at 8am the next morning they said I was dilated enough to kick things off. So we went to the birthing room and they broke my waters and inserted an internal monitor that failed to attach twice because of her hair. Over the next hour or two we sat and tried to decided on names while I had small contractions. Then they came in and jacked up my IV to the highest level to really kick it into gear. And into gear it was kicked! It happened hard and fast. I tried the shower, hated it. Tried the gas, hated it. Finally I couldn't take it so I asked for the epidural and lucky I did, he came in quickly and it took over, I got to pushing but nothing was really happening. Then it all kind of went downhill. I ended up labouring hard for almost 12 hours before they called it.
We were rushed to theatre, according to my husband the midwife was panicked about the beanie colour and he was nervous, me though, high as a kite. We went into the theatre for a C-section (which I also didn't want but alas, here we are). Luckily I had the epidural so we got straight to work. I got to pick the music and I realised how incredibly naked I was in front of a room full of people with my arms spread out like Jesus and then I was told "it's going to feel like someone's rummaging through your handbag" which is scarily accurate, except I felt every cut, it was fast, it was violent and she was out. She ended up getting stuck both ways so I copped it from all angles trying to get out. I believe several people were "elbow deep" from both ways. so I mean.... that's fun. Lots of pelvic floor exercises for me after.
She said our hellos and she and my husband left while I stayed to be put back together. I didn't see her for a little while, I actually thought I was going to die, I lost that much blood. But here I am. Everyone was safe and it was all fine. Unfortunately someone who was supposed to go in before me was pushed back due to our emergency.
The staff were amazing, the midwives and doctors were fab! one even came in from dinner with his family to help me and our anaesthesiologist Tim was phenomenal. Everyone was safe and happy and I could eat sushi again.
What do you wish you knew before birth?
I wish I knew what tests to ask for. My last scan was at 20 weeks, so no one knew how big she was which was part of the problem.
If you could, would you do anything differently?
Planned c-section since my body wont go into labour on its own.
What did your partner do that really helped during labour/birth?
He was very calm even though I knew he was internally crapping his pants, but also he listened to what I needed.
What advice/honest truth would give a mama-to-be about birth?
If someone says do you want the drugs, point them to your most prominent vein and say thank you