The end of one journey, the beginning of another

Four months since the last entry and how the world has changed!

On 11 December 2008 HB and I were blessed with the arrival of our precious daughter, Elizabeth Jane. All through I had referred to Blobby as a he – little did I know she was a Blobbette!

So here is how it all unfolded.

My blood pressure was quite high so I was having regular hospital checkups and monitoring. On Monday, 8/12, it was decided that I should see a consultant on the Wednesday to see whether I needed BP medication etc. So I was packed off home again.

At home my nesting instinct was manifesting in a weird way, I had to get my house in order and by that I meant that I needed to get my will done, now, immediately and if I didn’t do it something terrible would happen. Tick that one off the list.

Now it’s probably easiest just to go to a time log:
Tuesday 9/12

4.30 pm: Bending down to take the washing out and felt a small spurt. Ooops I thought, must work on the pelvic floor exercises. Hang on a sec, that’s no wee spurt, the Hoover Dam had opened up and as I am standing there looking I start laughing as I realize that my waters had broken in the utility room – tiled floors – no beige carpet, phew HB will be happy!

6.00pm We arrive at the hospital as directed. Thought we were very calm getting to the hospital, seem swe weren’t as calm as we thought – we triggered a neighbourhood watch meeting as we left the house with the front door open!

7.00pm Time to get monitored. I’m not in labour but, surprise surprise my Blood Pressure is up. We wait for a few hours and then the Doctor says I’m to stay in hospital to monitor the BP. I’m a bit upset and HB has tpo leave.

11.30pm Moved to a room. Having little contractions (although I don’t know if there is any such thing as little!)

Overnight: No sleep
Wednesday 10/12

9.00 Consulatnt visits. I’m still not in labour. I’m told if I’ve not gone into labour 24 hours after the waters have broken then I need to be induced because of the risk of infection. They say I can go home and need to come back if labour kicks in or at 4.30.

10.00 leave hospital with HB. Now what do I do?

1.00pm I go grocery shopping with HB, shuffling around Tescos,still dripping somewhat.

3.00pm getting quite crampy but I get my head down for an hour.

4.00 pm ring the hospital – come in at 6.00they tell me. Okey doke!

5.30 pm – here we go again, this time make sure the doors closed.

6.00pm - arrive at hospital, more monitoring.

7.00pm – Time to kick off the induction with a pessary – not very pleasant , ouch in fact! And now the waiting.

10.00pm – Still not in labour, and HB is sent home. Definitely getting contractions though

Thursday 11/12

1.00am – OMG – contractions are supposed to come and go. These don’t! There is no relief, no time to get my breath back. I don’t know how long I can take this. Am I really such a wuss? I call a midwife – she wasn’t very sympathetic, “labour hurts you now dear” I have a tens machine going on but it is doing nothing but annoy me. The midwife suggest pethadine and after much discussion and agreement on an anti vomit drug too I agree to that.

2.00 am The pethidine helps a lot! Now I am getting bigger contractions and some respite in between . I am moved to a labour room.

Till 6.00am – all very blurry, painful and alone.

7.00am – Call HB, time to get back to the hospital

8.00am – still not moving along quickly enough. Get put onto an oxytocin drip and a saline drip. It seems I got a bit dehydrated during the night. Now I get to play on the gas and air. Cool, it seems to work a bit

Midday – The gas and air and tens machine are losing their effect. They are now merely distractions for the contractions, and not very good ones at that. I’m exhausted. Epidural is suggested and after talking it over with HB and the anethatist (sp?) I agree it’s the best option at this point (it seems there is still quite a way to go!)

1.30pm Epidural goes in. Works – almost. It seems there is a ‘window’ where I can feel EVERYTHING!!!

3.00pm Epidural is finally working – what relief. I get dozy
5.00pm I’m dilating well and truly now.

6.00pm Another window has opened up, but that’s ok. It’s time to ‘push’ so feeling the contractions is good.

So away we go pushing. It seems I’m not a screamer or grunter. HB is encouraging, urging me to ‘do it for Australia!’

7.00pm Still pushing

7.15pm Doctor comes and determines that help is needed now. It’s salad tongs time (aka forceps)

7.30pm Doctor is amused by songs playing from our iPod. Disconcerting to have your legs in the air, doctor between them saying ‘wow amazing’ (referring to William Shatners version on Common People)

7.38pm One final push and an overwhelming sense of release. Our baby is whipped pit and put straight on my stomach. HB looks over and tells me ‘we’ve got a little girl’ – A girl – are you sure? Yep, a beautiful gorgeous perfect little girl.

I can’t believe we made it. We are so proud and grateful. And that is where this blog ends, soon it will be time to start writing about Elizabeth’s adventures but right now – I’ve got my hands full!