Baby Jydan - The Birth Story

The Birth Story:
Monday, 2:00pm-4:00pm.
Monday the 12th of November my mum came over for a visit and I mentioned that I was extra swollen, my mum agreed that it seemed to be even more lately. We went to the chemist at 2:00pm and checked my blood pressure. My blood pressure was 139/89. Afterwards I debated if I should call the Pregnancy Assessment Clinic and if I should go in and get it checked properly.
I decided to call and they said that I needed to come in as soon as possible. So mum and I made the trip to the hospital at about 3:30pm. I texted hubby that I was on the way to the hospital, I didn't call him because I wasn't concerned. I was seen at about 4:00pm and my blood pressure was now 142/92. They checked my urine and I had +++ protein, which is quite concerning! I was then wheeled to the labour ward into an assessment room in a wheelchair by the midwife as I wasn't aloud to walk!!... I had pre-eclampsia.
 
Monday, 5:00pm-9:00pm.
I then called hubby and let him know, he said he would finish up at work and come down. I was put on a fetal monitor, and bubby's heartbeat was great. My reflexes were tested and I had exaggerated reflexes on the left side, this is a symptom that pre-ecampsia is on it's way to turning into eclampsia. At 5:00pm my blood pressure was checked again and it was now 170/110. I was given blood pressure tablets and began a fluid drip to try and flush out the protein. At 7:00pm the decision was made that I would be induced, starting of with a tablet that's inserted into the cervix to help soften and dilate the cervix. I was told that it would be left in for 12 hours and my waters will be broken at 8:00am. An hour later I went to a room in the maternity ward to stay the night.

Monday 10:00pm- Tuesday 5:00am.
The next two hours I spent talking to the lady next to me, she was induced at the same time, in the bed next to me and now we were waiting it out together. (we ended up swapping numbers a few days after and still talk!). I started to get some mild contractions that started of as period pains, they then went more painful and then they started in my back.

Tuesday 5:00am- 11:00am
I was moved to a birthing suite and my contractions were monitored, they were 2-3 minutes apart. They were pretty painful at this stage but the scariest part was when the midwife said they are only mild! They were going to get ALOT worse. I texted my mum and my husband, I told my mum to come straight away, because I was in too much pain to be by myself. I was only 2 centimeters dilated but as I was having regular contractions, they took the tablet out and broke my waters at 6:30am. My mum arrived at 7:00am and Tim arrived about 8:30am. By 9:00am the contractions were REALLY painful and all in my back and I had my first round of 'water injections' which worked absolutely amazingly. I was checked again at 11:00am and I was 4-5cm dilated. I was so excited to be 'almost' halfway. My dad had also arrived by this stage.
 
Tuesday 12:00pm - 3:00pm
The contractions were absolutely hideous, I tried water therapy, hot water packs, massages and more water injections.

Tuesday 3:00pm - 7:00pm
I was checked again at 3:00pm and was still only 5cm (I was also told that they could feel some hair on bubby's head!) so I was put on a potocian/syntocin drip to bring on the contractions harder and faster to help try and dilate more. Because I had to be on the drip the baby's heartbeat had to be monitored so I couldn't be free to move. I had another water injection but it didn't work because my contractions were too severe. I couldn't handle the pain anymore so asked for gas around 5:00pm. The gas helped but I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore. I felt so agonisingly broken. My labour was all in my back. I spoke to the midwife about other drug option and we decided to wait till after the next check and try some water therapy until then. So I had a shower for 20 minutes, which is all I was aloud because I had to go back on the heart monitor machine. Being without gas or anything for 20 minutes was horrible, I was in so much agony but the shower did relieve a bit. When I had to turn the shower off, getting dressed and walking back to the machine was possibly the most pain I had ever been in when a contraction arrived.
I decided that I would like some morphine so I buzzed the midwife who explained that I would need another exam to see how dilated I was because I couldn't have morphine if I was too far dilated. So I was checked at 7:00pm where I was still 5cm. It was recommended that I have the epidural instead because they would now need to turn the drip up on full, making my contractions much more excruciating then they all ready were and having that much pain could affect my blood pressure. Having to stay still for the epidural while having a contraction was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do *teary*. I think I almost broke my mum's hands! 
 
Tuesday 7:00pm-11:00pm
After the epidural my labour was actually enjoyable! I actually napped on and off. I could still move my legs and feel my contractions tighten. I was really happy that I could still feel something because I knew it would help with pushing my little guy out. The contractions started to get painful through the epidural so I turned it up probably four times over the four hours which ended up meaning that I couldn't move my legs much at all.
 
Tuesday 11:00pm- Wednesday 12:30am.
I had another check at 11:00pm where we were hoping that I was at least 8 centimeters. I wasn't. I was 5-6. This time I was checked by a doctor. The doctor said I was probably only 5 but she stretched it open to 6. She also told us that baby's head was beginning to swell by trying to get through but he couldn't. She had to go off and talk to her supervisor on what to do next. I wasn't sure what she meant. The midwife spoke to us after she left and said they were going to discuss what will be best to do, either let me keep going, or go for an emergency c-section. I remembered what I had in my birth plan; "Although I prefer a natural labour I would like the decision for a c-section made as soon as it’s needed. Please do not wait for improvements in the baby or my labour to determine an emergency c-sections and make an immediate decision. " My mum reaffirmed that I should make this decision too.
The doctor returned at 11:30pm and said they have decided to go ahead with an emergency c-section. I was told it would happen within half an hour, I was told of any potential complications, signed permission forms and prepped for surgery. While waiting to be bought into surgery I was so scared (teary again!). All I could do was stare at the T.V. I couldn't look at my husband, mum or dad. Every time they would talk to me I would get teary, tune out of the conversation and give them a quick nod. I was so shocked and scared. I was wheeled off to surgery at about 12:30am.

Wednesday 12:30am-2:00am
When we arrived at theatre, Tim got changed into scrubs and my epidural was increased. I started getting shaky which they said was caused by the epidural. They ran through what was going to happen during the surgery and in recovery afterwards. I was shifted onto the surgical table. I wasn't told much during the procedure but I remember the point when the anesthetist said they had started. I could feel my skin tear with them cutting but without the pain. I could feel them pushing and pulling. I kept talking to my husband, we talked about everything really. I was trying to occupy myself. I even tried to talk the anesthetist at one point. And then the moment came (big tears!) they held up my son at 1:17am!

As they were pulling him out they said about how much he looks like his dad. I hardly saw him, they didn't hold him up high enough and it was only for a couple of seconds, but I knew he was the most beautiful little boy I've ever seen! They said about what a big boy he was too. He had a little cry and was taken away. I told my husband to leave me and go be with him, that I would be fine. When I turned my head to the left I could see him in the corner of the room. I then began shaking so much that my muscle's hurt. I felt so sick and hot. They put a sick bag next to my head and ice on my forehead. I heard them mention about getting ready for a transfusion. I was so sick that it didn't click what they meant. They kept saying about measuring the amount of blood and then I saw the big jug of my blood. I asked if I had lost alot and they said it was okay, it was in the normal range. What they didn't tell me is how much. Tim over heard them saying it was 700ml. The normal range is between 400-700ml. Tim then sat down next to me holding our son and I can remember the tears in his eyes. It was such a beautiful moment for him. He got to hold our son for the first hour of his life. All I wanted to do was hold him. I couldn't even touch him cause I had so much wires and monitors around my arms. The next thing I knew is they were packing up, taking the screens down and people were leaving. I had passed out.

Wednesday 2:00am-3:00am

I was shifted back onto my previous bed and moved into recovery. I was asked if I wanted to hold my son, of course I said 'YES PLEASE'. As soon as he was in my arms I started crying, I couldn't believe I was finally holding my son! We had skin-to-skin and I tried to feed but he wouldn't latch on (we found out later on that he couldn't suck because he was tongue tied). He used my breast as pillow and just fell asleep on me. I held him for about an hour and was pushed into the maternity ward into a room that I would spend the next few days in. On the way to the room I was pushed passed my parents. I was so captivated by my son that I didn't take much notice of anything else around me. I had become a mummy!

Baby Tiley - 37 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
Well I am officially 'full term', and have 22 days to go. I've made it! I can't believe it that I've made it through this week and my dear little boy will be at least born safely and at full term!
We had ANOTHER scan of baby Tiley and his decided that he would be in the posterior position, so his back is on my back. I didn't think much of it until I researched it... and holy moley I hope he turns. Apparently it can make labor alot worse, alot of back contractions, longer labor, stop and start labor (which I'm experiencing), water breaking early... so lets hope he does flip! His been moving so much lately so I think his trying!
Baby would be around 6 and half pounds according to the average fetal size, which is about 3 kilos (so we have a couple of 00000 outfits just incase he comes this week). His a bit over 19 inches now too, about 50 centimeters. Wowee.. his soo big now! His head diameter is about 9 centimeters too.
His shredding his waxy substance now, the vernix, although there will be some traces at birth most will disappear.

Tiley's Movements:

Wow, last night little Mr was right into my ribs, he would kick a foot right out into them and leave his foot in them for a while until he decided he had enough of hurting his mummy. We were laying in bed so I told Tim to feel his little foot, hopefully giving him an idea of what I complain about all too often. He was amazed. Tiley's foot was pushing his hand out through my ribs, he was giving my ribs a good whack.
When bub has the hiccups now they are big hiccups, before it was that I could just feel them in the inside of my belly, now my whole stomach jumps! It's amusing to look at ;).
Okay, so his movements are really starting to hurt now... but I can guarantee I will miss it!
Like I said above, Tiley has been moving so much lately. He is going absalutely crazy!

My Bump This Week:
I decided (don't know why??) to share a 'bare bump' photo this week, after all, this is all part of my journey... I didn't think I would rip so much, and I don't know how much my stomach can take! Here's my very ripped bare baby bump.

Yes, they can be as painful as they look. When they come I can feel a sting and my skin rip. It's a real unusual feeling, and I definitely don't like it. I guess I will keep you updated with the fading process after baby is born.

Symptoms This Week:
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Sore Muscles
-Nesting.
-More Frequent Urination.
-Painful Legs.
-Nausea

Labour Signs:
-Contractions
-Cramps.
-'False' Labour.
-One centimeter dilated.
-Lost the 'plug'. (I think??)

Contractions:
I am still getting at least 3-4 contractions a day. After Friday/Saturday I had quite a few more contractions on Sunday night/Monday morning for about 6 hours at about 10 minutes apart. I've experienced some today at 20 minutes apart, and still, I'm not in labor. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I am only impatient now because on Friday the doctor said that it might take a few days or a week. So now I'm waiting for my time.

Finalising The Hospital Bag:
The hospital bag is completely finalised and finished now, I am ready!!

The Hospital Tour:
Well, I didn't end up going to the hospital tour because I had my own little tour throughout the week (if you missed it, read HERE)

The Final Birth Plan:
After our taste of labor my birth plan has changed/gone!! There's somethings that I still want to keep, but everything else I will just 'go with the flow' and see what happens.

Support People:
My husband, Tim, and my mother, Kelly, will be my support people during all stages of labour. Other support people will be visiting during the first and second stages of labour.

 Communication:
I would like to be told what is happening, how far I am dilating, if the baby is crowning, if there is any complications and anything else at all times.

Delivery:
Tim would like to watch the baby being delivered, from the crowing to the full delivery of the baby. Kelly will be by my side during delivery.
Tim will be cutting the baby’s umbilical cord.

Contact:
I would like to hold the baby as soon as possible after delivery.
Tim would like to hold the baby after the baby is cleaned.
I would like skin-to-skin contact and to attempt feeding after the baby is cleaned.

 Visitors:
Our family members will be allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. This could possibly be a couple hours after birth.
A photographer, Tanya, will be arriving to take photo’s of the baby as soon after the birth and depending on her availability. We will let staff members know.
All other visitors will not be welcome to at least 24 hours after the birth.
 If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.

Dummy:
I do not want a dummy offered to the baby.

Injections:
I would like the baby to have the vitamin K and Hepatitis B injections

C-Section:

 Although I prefer a natural labour I would like the decision for a c-section made as soon as it’s needed. Please do not wait for improvements in the baby or my labour to determine an emergency c-sections but rather take immediate action.

 I would like my husband, Timothy with myself in the theatre room.
I would like an epidural.

Three Weeks 'Till Baby Is Due.

Baby Tiley - Week 18

Tiley this week:
I can't believe how far I am all ready.. 18 weeks!! that's CRAZY!! I think it's gone really quick. And I'm almost half way! This week and from now on all of Tiley's organs are in the correct position and from now until bub comes out all they have to do is grow and strengthen. Tiley's chest is starting to move up and down to mimic breathing although Tiley's not actually taking in air. Tiley's now whopping 200grams, DOUBLE the weight over the last couple of weeks.

They also say that Tiley may have the same sleep pattens as a newborn baby. The last couple of nights Tiley's been really active from about 8pm all through the night and keeping me awake for quite a few hours. Between Tiley's kicking and Tim's snoring I'm bound to be super tired!! Last night was a strange night, Tiley was quite active in the morning and then slept, bub was still asleep when I went to bed at about 11pm. I was so cautious not to wake the sleeping darling (so maybe I could get a few hours of sleep!!). I made the mistake of rolling quickly and the little monster woke up! haha. If bub is sleeping while we are wanting to feel it move we like to leave Tiley to sleep. I only get Tim to feel bubby move when it's awake, I don't like to disturb the bubby, it's is doing such a great job and growing and learning.. but it sure likes to disturb it's mumma!! I do have to admit, from what I can feel, bub is a good sleeper though. When bub does sleep, it's for hours!
* There is no scientific link to if a baby's sleep pattern in the womb will effect a baby's sleep pattern outside the womb.
What Tiley would look like this week:
 How Perfect. So much like a baby! :) PERFECT

Movements:
People who have felt Tiley's little movements so far:
*Tim, *My Dad, *My Brother Jordan, *My Brother Jyle.

Only 2 more weeks until we find out what gender Tiley actually is, so if you haven't done so all ready, make sure you do our poll:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q7RBXTH

Our 17 week progressive photo shoot:
So we didn't have time last week to do our 17 week progress, we will have to do it this week.

Birth plan:

This week I've also roughly thought of my birth plan. More of an ideas list. I've only got 22 weeks left till bubba is due to arrive so thought I would roughly research everything now and put it all into an actual plan closer to when bubba's due. I am completely open to changing my mind, and completely aware that things change. During my pregnancy I have reflected so much on my mum being pregnant with my baby brothers. The oldest one, soon to be Uncle Jyle, had a very scary birth so I am aware that possibly NOTHING will go to plan. No one at the hospital will probably read the birth plan but if not I want to have enough research and be confident enough to say what I want, why and how. I will also be writing an 'emergancy c-section' birth plan later on just encase. I hope I don't offend anyone with what I feel is best for my little one but the beauty of pregnancy and birth is we have SO many options to suit everyone. A lady recently said in my birth club "There is no medal awarded. We don't all walk around with badges saying "I gave birth ...naturally" or "I breastfed for 12 months" if you do that's great for you." which I thought was PERFECTLY said. This is what I believe is best for baby and me :)

• Labouring position ideas:
  I would to like to consider water therapy in the shower standing (using gravity) and leaning on my husband and on the wall during contractions. I also want to begin this at home when my contractions are are too far apart to go the hospital. My husband is shy so I would like his privacy respected as much as possible while we are in the shower and be left alone.
  
  I would also like to avoid laying in bed during early labour and the second stage of labour to use gravity by walking around, sitting on a chair, kneeling and using a fit ball. I would like my husband to be my support by leaning on him and having him rub where most painful.
  I would like to be encouraged to try new positions and not be forced to use just one position. I can then find which position gives the best pain relief.
• Pain relief:
  I would like to not be offered any pain relief and it be left up to me to have gas IF I feel I need it. I would like to aim for a medication-free birth. The reasons I've chosen to have a medication-free birth is so I can freely move around more into different positions if I feel the need. Also that back pain during labour maybe a sign that the baby needs to be turned so I would like to avoid suppressing what my body is telling me. I would also like a faster recovery after birth.
• Checks:
  I would like regular checks to see how I am progressing through labour. I would like to be kept aware of my progress at all times.
• Visitors:
  I do not mind my parents visiting during the first and second stages of labour as I'm hoping that visitors will be distracting from the pain. During the final stages of labour, the pushing, I would like it to be just my husband and I. I would want my husbands parents and my parents allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. I do not want any other visitors until we are settled into St Vincents Hospital, at least the next day after birth. If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.
• Breast feeding:
  I would like to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible after birth and try feeding as soon as the baby is cleaned and settled. I don't want any formula offered to my baby. If I have trouble breast feeding I would like as much help as possible and then a second option being expressing. I would also liked to be checked by the lactation consultant as much as possible to have continues checks if the baby is feeding correctly.
• St Vincents Hospital:
  I am going to be moved to St Vincent's hospital after the baby and I recover at the Launceston General Hospital. I would like to be moved as soon as possible. I would like the baby, my husband and I to be given sometime after being moved to get settled without visitors.
• TK Photography:
  Tanya from TK Photography will be doing a newborn shoot while I and the baby are still in hospital if she is available.

There's still LOTS I need to decide, research and plan and my birth plan will be drawn out much simpler but these are just my ideas for now :)

2 more weeks till I'm half way! WOOHOO!!!