|
----- Original Message -----
From: M
& T Holroyd
To: ozmidwifery
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 7:33 PM
Subject: We had a boy Hi,
I Just wanted to let you know how the birth of my
fourth baby went. We had a beautiful big boy at the Birth Centre here in
Brisbane. It was a wonderful experience that I still tell people about
even now 4 months later (just leave out some of the more personal
details). When I first rang my midwife I told her I had been having
irregilar contractions since 5pm but now regular (approx 9.30pm) at
3min appart & that I was coping well at home, but with my history of
fast labours she said I had better come in (I think she could hear something in
my voice & Marty said he knew it was time to go anyway - I on the other hand
was in my own world). We woke the kids & packed them into the car
& off we went. On the way to the hospital my contractions got closer
& in between contractions my almost 9yo daughter (Emilie) dozed, & my
6.5yo (Jeremy) & 3.5yo (Ethan) talked to me about what was
happening. Jeremy asked me if the baby was going to come out of my belly
(he knew where a baby comes from but my sister had recently had a c/section)
& Ethan piped up "babies come out of a mummy's vagina don't you know
Jeremy"... this set me off laughing & along came another contraction.
Soon after another contraction (I would bang my head on the head rest for
distraction) Jeremy said to me "Mummy how about you take big breaths in &
out with your next pain to help" so I made an effort & he breathed along
with me for the rest of the trip.... he was a real help. I arrived
at the BC with my husband, 3 children, mother & two sisters in tow
at 10pm. My Midwife had the tub full because she new I wanted a water
birth, & she had beautiful music playing. I got into the tub soon
after arrival (it was like sinking into heaven - what wonderful pain relief),
Marty sat on the edge of the tub to support me & my three children hopped in
and paddled around me rubbing my back with a contraction. Our midwife was
wonderful & encouraged & welcomed my children... they felt so
comfortable being there & we were all very excited. After a few
contractions I asked the kids to get out (I was feeling that I needed to focus
& have my own space at this time... maybe going through transition?).
Not long after I started to push, push & push & even though the urge was
as strong as it had ever been I didn't feel like I was moving my baby much at
all (I'd never worked this hard at pushing before) & I had bad
lower back hip pain with each contration (which was also new to
me). Anyway, a short time later his head emerged but I was still pushing
with all my might & it felt to me like he just wasn't going any further so
when I heard our midwife tell Marty to get me up "now" I knew there was a good
reason & was already on my way up & she had to give him a little tug
because his shoulders were tight, he was born at 10.51pm on Sat 15th March (11
days before Emilie's birthday). I had minimal blood loss &
a physiological third stage on the birth stool. Emilie cut the cord
prior to third stage being complete but after it had stopped pulsating (she
normally hates the sight of blood or even hearing the word but to be involved
& cut the cord didn't bother her). I offered him a feed whilst waiting
for placenta but he was to busy letting the world know that he was here.
He weighed 4540 grams (10lb) & was my biggest baby by almost 500
grams. I had not even a graze & didn't even feel like I had had a baby
(was that the mostly water birth?). He breastfed well & he is still
thriving. Our midwife showed Emilie & I my placenta & Emilie was
very interested... midwife explained it all to her. Emilie made the
comment "it looks yucky mummy but I know it is very important & it's also
good to know for when I go to Aunty Leasa's (my sister who was present) next
birth (she is inviting herself & baby is not even planned
yet)".
This was my first BC baby, my first waterbirth, my
first birth without VE, my first birth without any form of drugs (1st baby
gas & peth, 2nd & 3rd gas only), my first birth in a squating
position/upright (all others were semi-sitting), my first physiological
third stage, first birth where the midwife truly trusted me & my
ability. Also the first time any of my children attended a birth.
All of my births were amazing & beautiful, but this was that little bit more
special because I truly got what I wanted & I new exactly what I wanted
before hand. Also there is alot to be said (as you all know) for knowing
your midwife.. then you can trust each other.
I have to say that I did end up with the
excruciating afterbirth pains that were worse than they had ever been (but
lasted for less days than previously)... hot packs & panadeine helped me
through but only just.
Thankyou for listening to my story (wish I had the
creative writting gift so that I could make it sound as special & truly
wonderful as it was... this does not do it credit) & A BIG THANKYOU to
everyone who offered advice to my questions before my birth. IT WAS ALL
VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
Love to you all,
Tina H. Brisbane.
|
<<Clear Day Bkgrd.jpg>>
