#8 My birth story
Hi, I am back! And should start by introducing my little pickle Ripley born on the 14th May at 3.48am, weighing 7lbs 11oz.
Ripley is now 25 weeks old so almost 6 months. I thought I'd have way more time to blog before now but being a mum is more work than I had imagined.
Ripley is napping so I thought I'd sit down and try but I should start by saying that I'm sorry for any typos or grammatical errors you spot in this blog. Sleep deprivation is real and my brain isn't firing on all cylinders.
So Ripley's birth; she was due on the Sunday 13th May and that day went along as normal with no signs of labour or her arrival. I spent the day snoozing on the sofa and resting up. At around 9pm I spoke with my sister. I told her that there was no news and I thought I'd have a sweep at my next midwife appointment. Lee and I got into bed around 10pm and popped on the TV to unwind.
POP!
“The baby just kicked me in the bladder! Ouch that hurt a bit. OMG I'm about to pee”. Cue me running to the bathroom, only this time I couldn't hold it in. Oops I didn't make it. “Lee can you grab me some pants and pj bottoms”. I told Lee to remain calm but my waters may have just broke. Clean and dry I got back into bed, and immediately started having contractions. They felt like really bad period pains and they were coming fast. The first few were no more than 10 minutes apart. The pain was tolerable but there was no way I was going to be able to sleep through it.
Around 30, maybe 40 minutes later I felt another gushing sensation. This time Lee came to the bathroom with me. There was no doubt, it was the rest of my waters going all over the floor. We both laughed as it was hilarious however after this point the contractions became unbelievably intense.
Lee phoned triage to give them a heads up and then ran me a bath. That felt great… Initially. After 30 minutes it was too hot and the pain was increasing rapidly.
Out of the bath and in the bedroom I couldn't sit still. Every contraction I needed to move into a different position. I was making some odd noises, very primal. Lots of he he, ho ho, ha ha but no mooing so that's something.
By around 12.30am I couldn't take anymore and told Lee I needed to get to the hospital. At this time his mum showed up and was in complete agreement, I needed to be at the hospital now! Lee called triage to let them know we were on the way.
As I got changed I remember asking Lee to open the car in advance as I didn't want to have a contraction in our car park for all our neighbours to see. A contraction came and went then I ran to the car. I made it just in time.
Wriggling around in pain Lee wouldn't leave before I put my seat belt on, safety first! By now it was almost 1am the roads were clear and we made it to the hospital very quickly. We zipped straight into the hospital car park however I wasn't waiting around for Lee to unload. I was out the car and heading into the building. Lee's mum thankfully grabbed me as I fell to the ground as another contraction surged over me. Of course at this time someone pulls into the car park! I'm on all fours blocking the entrance. The poor guy looked flabbergasted. He asked if we needed any help, I grimaced and shook my head.
As soon as it was over we ran to the lift, another contraction, then I waddle down the corridor, another contraction. They were coming very fast now. Thankfully at this time a nurse walked by. She immediately radioed for a wheelchair. A few minutes passed, I'm on the floor panting, yelling and generally making a scene. The nurse immediately radios again telling them to hurry up with the wheelchair. Before I knew it I was in the service lift but wait, we've gone passed triage, we are going straight to the delivery suite.
As I was wheeled in I remember 3 women, who I assumed were midwives, looking very confused. I even think one asked why we were there. Lee explained and they shuffled me off to a room to be examined.
That was it! It was time to get pushing! Yup, I was fully dilated. I'd made it through to 10 centimeters at home. Birth plan out the window and no time to even think about pain relief.
So I started on the bed, lying on my back but we weren't getting anywhere. So the midwives moved me onto the floor, onto something that looked a bit like a commode. No luck. I was struggling to hold myself up as my entire body was shaking. Next I was back on the bed but this time on all fours. I really struggled to gage my contractions like this. Back on my back. This time I had to pull back on a towel the midwife was holding while pushing, again no luck. Finally one midwife advised me to lay on my side. Lee was holding one leg, pushing against my foot and a midwife had the other. Bingo! Things were moving.
From this point on I was focused. I think only once I proclaimed “I can't do it, I'm tired”. I do remember continuously being told she's got lots of hair, keep going. And with one final push she was here and placed in my arms. Hilariously, she immediately peed on me!
Everyone says you'll be overwhelmed with love when you meet your baby but I must be honest I was overwhelmed with pride. I had just pushed a baby out without pain relief. I felt like a warrior!
We were bought tea and toast afterwards which is the best cuppa tea you'll ever have. Then eventually taken to the ward with all the other mums. Lee and his stepdad scuttled off for a walk. I later found out they went for a congratulatory pint (bear in mind it was around 10am). I tried to get some rest but it wasn't really possible as the ward was the hottest place ever! The day went by and I had a visit from my mum and sister. Before I knew it it was 5pm, Ripley had been checked over and we were going home with a tiny new human to care for.
Now for the bits that might be TMI but everyone wants to know secretly. Advert your eyes if you don't.
Did I poo giving birth? Apparently a little, I didn't even notice. I also couldn't have cared less at the time.
Did I have any tears/stitches? Yes, I had a small second degree tear that was stitched up. I smashed back the gas and air for that.
Was it painful? Yes, but not in the way I ever imagined. It was totally tolerable (within reason). It felt natural and my body took control of the process.
What was crowning like? Like having the biggest poop of your life.
Finally, would I do it again? Maybe, it was intense and Ripley is still so new and we are getting used to being parents.
Hopefully I haven't frightened anyone as it was a really amazing and positive experience for me. And really, in the grand scheme of it all it's over in a heartbeat and your left with an absolutely scrummy baby.
