MrsMeaney
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I saw my midwife on the morning of Friday 27th December who, after weeks of strange blood pressure readings, decided that she'd try a membrane sweep to get things moving, despite the fact that I had five days until my due date. Upon examination she found that my cervix was closed and posterior and I went away feeling a little bit deflated. I had been so sure that things were going to start moving soon and the internal seemed to confirm the opposite.
Fast forward to a few hours later and I was waiting for my husband to get home from work. I was fed up; I had been suffering with an achy pelvis all day and the baby felt so low as to be able to pop his head out to say hello. By time Mr Meaney got home, I had retired to my gym ball with a face like thunder. An hour or so later, I realised that the pain in my pelvis was no longer constant, but that it was coming and going. I calmly advised my husband that I thought my contractions had started and that it was probably time to assemble the moses basket stand...
I began to time the contractions and was stunned to find that they were already three minutes apart and lasting almost a full minute each. I called the hospital, who advised that I have a warm bath and call back an hour later, during which time the pain became steadily worse. When I checked back in with the delivery ward, they advised me to come straight in. Cue a 1am phone call to my Dad (OH doesn't drive) to try and get a lift!
Apparently I was very calm throughout the forty minute car journey, breathing through the contractions and trying not to think about the journey that lay ahead of us. An examination at the hospital showed me to be 1-2cm dilated and I felt crushed, but I decided to avoid pain relief until I needed it, determined not to slow things down. Two hours later, I was 6-7cm, but the CTG was showing fetal heart rate decelerations with each contraction, and the consultant decided to break my waters. At this point, I was advised that pain relief would be offered and that it might be an idea for me to take it as things were about to get a whole lot more difficult. With the stress of knowing that things weren't going to plan and the speed at which I was progressing, I almost bit their hands off for an epidural, despite crying about the fact that I hadn't been able to deal with the pain after all!
The midwife broke my waters as I was given some gas and air and my waters were found to be filled with fresh merconium, the baby wasn't happy at all. The entire time, the CTG was looking less and less reassuring. The pain of the first 'dry' contraction was unlike anything I'd ever felt, and I barely got twenty seconds reprieve between them! I sucked on my gas and air (lovely stuff!) as the consultant calmly told me that they needed to get baby out right away, as they couldn't be sure he'd be able to handle another four hours or so. I don't know about baby, but I was pretty sure I couldn't! I was filled with terror as I signed the C-section consent form, but my husband was right there with me, telling me to stay calm because we'd get to meet our son very, very soon.
I was wheeled into theatre, high as a kite on gas and air, and given an epidural. The relief was immediate. I've always been terrified of the idea of spinal anaesthesia but I'd definitely have another! The C-section itself was strange; I had no pain, yet felt every tug, pull and manipulation. It wasn't pleasant, by any means, but the worst thing about the whole experience was the anaesthetic/adrenaline shakes! They were violent and horrendous and lasted for almost an hour after delivery. Still, within ten minutes or so, I heard a tiny cry that assured me that everything had gone well. Mr Meaney went 'behind the curtain' and cut the cord, ready for baby to be handed to us as the consultant deftly stitched me up in a neat little incision scar.
Recovery has been tough, and I'm still suffering with some abdominal discomfort and am therefore taking it very easy. I hope that, in future, I'll be able to have the natural delivery I had hoped for this time. C-sections are definitely not an easy option! He was worth it though, my beautiful boy and, now that he's out, he's thriving; having gained a massive 6lb in 9 days - hooray boobies!
Blake Stephen Meaney - 28th December 06.25am 6lb3oz, the one I've been waiting for my whole life xxx
Fast forward to a few hours later and I was waiting for my husband to get home from work. I was fed up; I had been suffering with an achy pelvis all day and the baby felt so low as to be able to pop his head out to say hello. By time Mr Meaney got home, I had retired to my gym ball with a face like thunder. An hour or so later, I realised that the pain in my pelvis was no longer constant, but that it was coming and going. I calmly advised my husband that I thought my contractions had started and that it was probably time to assemble the moses basket stand...
I began to time the contractions and was stunned to find that they were already three minutes apart and lasting almost a full minute each. I called the hospital, who advised that I have a warm bath and call back an hour later, during which time the pain became steadily worse. When I checked back in with the delivery ward, they advised me to come straight in. Cue a 1am phone call to my Dad (OH doesn't drive) to try and get a lift!
Apparently I was very calm throughout the forty minute car journey, breathing through the contractions and trying not to think about the journey that lay ahead of us. An examination at the hospital showed me to be 1-2cm dilated and I felt crushed, but I decided to avoid pain relief until I needed it, determined not to slow things down. Two hours later, I was 6-7cm, but the CTG was showing fetal heart rate decelerations with each contraction, and the consultant decided to break my waters. At this point, I was advised that pain relief would be offered and that it might be an idea for me to take it as things were about to get a whole lot more difficult. With the stress of knowing that things weren't going to plan and the speed at which I was progressing, I almost bit their hands off for an epidural, despite crying about the fact that I hadn't been able to deal with the pain after all!
The midwife broke my waters as I was given some gas and air and my waters were found to be filled with fresh merconium, the baby wasn't happy at all. The entire time, the CTG was looking less and less reassuring. The pain of the first 'dry' contraction was unlike anything I'd ever felt, and I barely got twenty seconds reprieve between them! I sucked on my gas and air (lovely stuff!) as the consultant calmly told me that they needed to get baby out right away, as they couldn't be sure he'd be able to handle another four hours or so. I don't know about baby, but I was pretty sure I couldn't! I was filled with terror as I signed the C-section consent form, but my husband was right there with me, telling me to stay calm because we'd get to meet our son very, very soon.
I was wheeled into theatre, high as a kite on gas and air, and given an epidural. The relief was immediate. I've always been terrified of the idea of spinal anaesthesia but I'd definitely have another! The C-section itself was strange; I had no pain, yet felt every tug, pull and manipulation. It wasn't pleasant, by any means, but the worst thing about the whole experience was the anaesthetic/adrenaline shakes! They were violent and horrendous and lasted for almost an hour after delivery. Still, within ten minutes or so, I heard a tiny cry that assured me that everything had gone well. Mr Meaney went 'behind the curtain' and cut the cord, ready for baby to be handed to us as the consultant deftly stitched me up in a neat little incision scar.
Recovery has been tough, and I'm still suffering with some abdominal discomfort and am therefore taking it very easy. I hope that, in future, I'll be able to have the natural delivery I had hoped for this time. C-sections are definitely not an easy option! He was worth it though, my beautiful boy and, now that he's out, he's thriving; having gained a massive 6lb in 9 days - hooray boobies!
Blake Stephen Meaney - 28th December 06.25am 6lb3oz, the one I've been waiting for my whole life xxx
I'd do it all again
