Apologies in advance for any graphic details in this post. Thought I better warn you pre breakfast but it is a labour story after all. It seems quite apt sharing this story today since it is exactly 3 years since little Alice arrived. Happy birthday to my gorgeous little girl.
If you read my labour story from Molly you will know that I was induced 3 weeks early. I had been told that there was a high likelihood that I would also develop Obstetric Cholestasis with my second pregnancy so in my head I had presumed that this baby would be arriving early too.
I was under consultant led care the whole way and at nearly 37 weeks I was discussing my fears of developing OC in the latter weeks. The first time I had developed it at 35 weeks so I knew it was still likely. I also had extremely low platelets, which I talked about a few weeks back. This in itself was a concern and overall I was feeling quite anxious about the final stage. I also didn’t really know what it was like to go to 40 weeks, or even overdue, and the thought of randomly going in to labour at home was pretty scary. I know that sounds silly and I am not normally a worrier but it was something I was so unsure of. I asked whether I would be induced early this time and she advised that they wouldn’t normally however she understood my concerns and given the potential risks she thought she would check if I was favourable. She gave me a sweep ,which was no where near as painful as when I had had one with Molly, and I went for my check up scan whilst she tried to sort out the induction. This was Wednesday and I hadn’t even finished work. I was thinking it may be some time the following week so when she came back and said they would induce me on Friday I was a little shocked. I hadn’t had any time off yet. Hadn’t spent any time with my little Molly moo. Unlike last time I did have my hospital bag packed but in no way felt prepared. Friday was also our fifth wedding anniversary, not exactly the celebration I had planned but Edd decided it would be a great way for him never to forget again. Men!
So off I went home and tried to get organised. I popped up to the office the following day to finish bits and pieces off then went home and prepared myself.
Early Stages
First thing on the Friday morning I headed off to hospital with Edd and my mum. It’s such an odd feeling knowing you are going in and having a baby. It was an absolutely roasting day. Unbelievably hot. We went in, had the initial assessment and then waited. And waited and waited. We kept seeing other people being rushed in so knew I would have to wait until there was space in the delivery suite. All this time I was sat in a teeny room with no fans and was bored stiff. At one point I sent Edd home to go and see Molly as there was nothing he could do. When he got back at about 3pm he couldn’t believe we were still waiting. He went to ask the midwives and we got the distinct impression they had forgotten we were there. A midwife bustled straight in and took my bloods, did tests and general checks. They then broke my waters. This really isn’t pleasant although not painful. After this they said that they would leave me to see if labour started naturally. With Molly I had been put straight on the drip so I was a bit shocked that this wasn’t the case this time. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hang around for up to 24 hours to see if labour started. It was hot and I was hormonal. I asked if I could go straight on the drip to which the midwife told me that they normally like to leave us. I basically told her I’d been there all day already and that I had Molly at home (with Grandma not on her own!) and wanted to be able to get back to her. As I said I was hot and hormonal so was taking no messing. As a compromise I said I would go for a walk for an hour to see if labour started and if it didn’t they would put me on the drip. So off we set in the heat for a stroll over through the woods and park. This was not a good idea when your waters are still going. Believe me, this was not pleasant and I vastly regret this mission although was thankful for the black leggings I had chosen to wear! I remember coming back and sitting in the cafe for a bit then realising the chair was soaked. I was mortified.
After nearly two hours I didn’t even have the slightest twinge so off we went in to the delivery suite.
Induction
At 5 30pm I was put on the drip and with it I was forced to be immobile again. The drip and associated baby monitor made it very difficult for me to move. For about the first two hours nothing really happened. Then mild stomach cramps started which I managed to deal with. And then the first real wave of pain hit me. That was when it all came flooding back. I remembered the pain of my first labour and my god I panicked. Seriously it is better not to know I think. I just remember saying that I didn’t want to be there. Bit late for that unfortunately.
Pain Relief
As with Molly I didn’t have any specific birth plan. I just wanted to get through it as best I could. I had only had gas and air with Molly so hoped to do the same. I also had the added complication of low platelets which meant that an epidural and even an emergency c section were dangerous.
For the next few hours my contractions continued. With induced labour it is a lot quicker but much more intense. You have less time between contractions and they are a lot more powerful. I tried to avoid the gas and air for as long as possible as I wanted it to have more of an effect when I did. I’m not a fan of gas and air. It makes me feel incredibly sick. Each time I breathe it in I want to vomit and I’m never sure if the pain relief is worth it.
Poor Edd tried his best to cool me down, it being over 30 degrees outside, with cold flannels but I got to the point where it was just an irritation. I’d want to be cooled down but then would push him away. He also kept telling me to get a move on as the baby needed to be born that day so that he could remember our wedding anniversary. All in jest I might add.
Established Labour
At around 9 40pm I was in severe pain. I’m not one for hysterics and tried to keep calm throughout. I knew I had no choice but to get through it. There was no going back. I remember asking the midwives how long they thought I would be like this. They said they would check me at midnight. I clearly remember thinking ‘F**k that. I’m not doing this till midnight’ and so I got a move on. All in my head I might add as I am proud to say I didn’t swear during labour! The contractions started coming thick and fast. I had to quit the gas and air as it was making me sick so for the last 15 minutes or so I had nothing. Hardcore. I suddenly felt the urge to push and that was it. The midwife was literally tying on her apron as Alice came screaming out in to the world. She’d got good lungs on her! And there she was. My gorgeous little girl. I was slightly shocked and utterly shattered.
After Birth
The lack of gas and air in the final stages meant I was slightly more with it than when I had Molly but still all I wanted to do was close my eyes and sleep for days. That’s not allowed though as I had to deliver the placenta which is never fun and I think I gave up as I didn’t have anything left to give. This part is kind of brushed over when people discuss labour and in fact I forgot how hard it is. I then had to have some blood clots removed which again isn’t a pleasant experience. Neither are absurdly painful but when you are so tired you just don’t have the energy. I also had a little tear from the episiotomy I had with Molly. And whilst all this was going on I was holding and nursing this new little being.
Despite being induced my labour was what I guess you could call ‘straightforward’. I had no complications and managed with minimal pain relief. No, it’s not easy but I did it and our gorgeous girl arrived healthy and well. It’s tough and yes it hurts but, in the main, it is true that you forget that very quickly. My mum says I labour very well, whatever that means!
So I managed to have Alice on our anniversary. Edd however failed in his side of the bargain and forgot our anniversary the very next year! Here’s hoping he remembers today.
Hi Lottie, I am pleased your induction was over within a day. I was induced at +11 days and when my cervix was 2cm, I was told I just needed to wait for a bed in the delivery suite so I could be hooked up to the drip. And so I waited, and waited, and waited… I was still waiting four days later, not allowed to go home. Other women kept being prioritised above me. As my waters hadn’t broken, I wasn’t a priority. On my fifth night in the hospital, a midwife broke my waters doing a sweep. My daughter was born 16 days overdue, and by emergency c-section in the end. I think the worst part for me was feeling so hopeless and out of control while I waited. None of the midwives could tell me how long I would be there. I kept asking if it was dangerous to let me be so overdue. They couldn’t tell me anything. In my pregnancy state, I imagined being there for weeks with my bump just getting bigger and bigger! It’s not an experience I ever want again!
Oh my gosh Jemma. That is awful. I struggled waiting for a day so I would never have coped for that long. It’s not nice just waiting and seeing all these other women going in ahead of you. Glad to hear your little girl arrived safely though and fingers crossed it isn’t something that would happen again. Thank you for sharing xx
Happy birthday Alice! And congrats to you on your anniversary!
I have to admit I’m not looking forward to another labour – every time I think it’ll be fine I remember how painful it was last time and I wonder why I thought it was a good idea to have another one! First time round I had no idea what to expect and didn’t believe it would really be that bad – but after 46 hours of labour ending in an emergency section this time round I definitely am under no illusions that it’s going to be ‘fun’! Although most of us go on to do it again so it’s obviously worth it!
Ha ha, you make me laugh with the ‘why you thought it was a good idea’!! You will be fine and although not fun as such I hope it will all go well for you. And yes, it’s so worth it! xxx
Happy birthday Alice!
I gave birth 4wks ago. This is my 2nd and I was way more anxious about labour this pregnancy as it hurt so much more than I’d expected last time! I had counselling and considered a section but decided to give a natural birth a go.
It was a v different experience in the end. I had an epidural and ventouse last time but this time there was no time for an epidural. We almost didn’t even get a room as it was such a busy night in the unit so I ended up getting to 9cm dilated with no pain relief then delivering my daughter 12 mins after getting a room with some gas and air, and some hypnobirthing techniques! My baby was nearly 10lbs so it wasn’t much fun (!) but I actually recovered so much faster than last time and it was great not having a catheter/drip etc this time. Plus labour was super speedy. That’s it though for me. No more labour!
Thanks Abi and congratulations on baby no 2! I know quite a few people who had traumatic first births and it definitely makes it a lot harder 2nd time round. I’m so pleased to hear it all went well in the end even if it was a bit crazy with no room. And big respect for a 10lb baby! Mine were 6lb and that was fine by me!! xxx
Sounds like you did amazingly! I’m due my 2nd in a couple of months and I’m not really nervous because I didn’t have a traumatic time first time round (long early labour but then relatively short ‘active’ phase and pool birth, felt fine afterwards just a bit sore obviously!) – I just hope this time is straightforward and a bit quicker! I think you’re really brave asking for the drip (although totally understand your reasons) – I was and am still scared of the possibility of induction. It must vary from person to person how it feels and how much you can tolerate, but I found a tens machine VERY helpful last time and the use of water and staying mobile (if possible). It’s funny how the placenta delivery kind of gets forgotten, no one really talks about that… I guess because you have the baby by then and it’s just an unpleasant thing to ‘get over with’ much like stitches!! I don’t remember the placenta delivery being particularly difficult or painful last time but I think I was pretty high on gas and air!! Luckily it didn’t make me feel sick (that must have been awful, poor you) just quite drowsy and like I was a bit drunk! x
Ps that photo of newborn Alice is ridiculously cute and has made me a bit excited to meet my new arrival!! 🙂 x
Ah, thanks Sarah. She was only a few hours old there and a teeny tiny dot. So different now the little monkey! Don’t be nervous, it will all be ok. Second time is meant to be easier and quicker obviously! Ooh, the stitches fade from your memory pretty quickly too! Good luck with baby no 2 xxx
Lovely birth story (minus the pain / wet walk in the woods / heat etc!). Happy Birthday to Alice, and anniversary to you! My 3rd baby was born via planned C-section due to previous complicated births and you’re right – its so weird knowing that you’re going into hospital totally not in labour at all, but will leave with a new baby! I was told at around 36 weeks the exact date and time-slot i’d be giving birth. I was first on the list that day – arrived at hospital 8am, babe in arms by 9.45am. So civilised (I can almost forgive celebs for paying for that!). Enjoy lots of cake & celebrations!
Thanks Nicola! It does all sound very civilised albeit surreal as you say. Whatever way baby arrives it’s worth it all and the most amazing thing ever. xxx
Aww – adorable baby! Happy Birthday to Alice! and Happy Anniversary to you!
I’m sitting reading this at 26 weeks pregnant and crossing my legs like I don’t need to go through it again. I actually had a perfect birth first time and got everything I asked for but the thought of the pain again scares me to death. Ignorance is definitely bliss when it comes to child birth. I do just hope though that things go as well as they did for me the first time as inductions don’t sound fun.
Seems like you managed really well though Lottie! It’s absolutely worth it all in the end and like you say…the pain is immediately gone afterwards and you’re left with this amazing little human that you can’t peel your eyes off of. If they could bottle that feeling…its worth all the pain!
You will be fine Sarah. Although it’s scary knowing what’s to come it does go quite fast (sort of!!) and is soon all forgotten again. We have amazing an coping mechanism. It is phenomenal what we can manage. Good luck! xxx