My pregnancy was a surprise initially, not because we were enthusiastically using birth control but just because we weren't trying as such. When that second line appeared on the home pregnancy test, I was happy but more petrified over what would happen 9.5 months later.
My 40th week came and went. I went to the hospital at 41weeks for the usual tests to ensure the baby was healthy and safe staying in there a little longer. My fundal test measured 45cm (this test is usually concurrent with the amount of weeks pregnant you are, ie. if you are 38 weeks then your fundal measurement should be 38cm, etc). So my baby was measuring 4cm larger than what is expected at that stage.
The night before my induction I started crying on the phone while speaking to my sister-in-law. I was so scared about the whole process that I just couldn't seem to get excited about the impending birth of my baby.
We arrived at the hospital at 7am and I was hooked up to an ECG. My scan showed plenty of fluid around the baby. We were taken up to a birth suite and left to our own devices for a while.
The doctor checked me at 10.30am and broke my waters (which doesn't hurt, by the way). There was meconium present, which worried me a little but I was told this was quite normal and to relax. I was put on a drip of Pitocin and just lay there in anticipation of these massive contractions that I was supposed to experience. By this stage I was in quite a bit of pain and they offered me an epidural. I gladly accepted and once it was administered (the procedure didn't hurt whatsoever) I lay back with a smile on my face.
My doctor checked me again at 5pm and pronounced that I was fully dilated, but due to the baby's head not being down far enough, we would wait for half an hour before pushing. An hour later the midwife arrived and advised me to push.
Because I couldn't feel any sensation down there due to the epidural, it really was hard to believe that the baby was in the birth canal. By this stage I was completely exhausted and with every push the baby would move down and then move up again when the pushing stopped. The midwife advised that they would attempt to assist me with the ventouse (vacuum). After the maximum number of attempts with that, I was told we would be going into theatre for an attempted forceps delivery.
They then announced that due to the position of the baby's head the forceps delivery had failed and we would now have to go ahead with an emergency c-section. I didn't feel any pain during the c-section, only a sensation of movement and of pulling and tugging. The doctors lifted the baby out and commented on how big the baby was. I immediately asked my husband if it was a boy or a girl and after checking he announced the arrival of our beautiful girl into the world. They lifted her over the sheet to show me and I thought 'look at those chubby cheeks'. I felt so excited and had an immediate love for her. They took the baby to the side of the room and cleaned her up, my husband stood by the nurses as they did this and as he was watching a tear of happiness fell down my cheek. I've never loved him more than at that moment.
She weighed in at 10 pounds five ounces. The next morning we decided to name her Ella. That whole day is by far the most amazing day of my life and I wouldn't change a second of it. I'm not encouraging epidurals at all but bless the person who invented them! This is the most positive birth I think I could have dreamed of and four months later my husband and I are trying for a brother or sister for our little Ella. This time I won't waste a second of the pregnancy worrying about the birth. I'll treasure every day and marvel at what my body is creating, just as I treasure every little gummy smile our daughter gives us each day. She truly is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to us and we'll cherish and love her every single second of every day.
Julie
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