The birth of Grace Regina

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My pregnancy had been relatively trouble free once I passed the 12 week mark. My early pregnancy was plagued with tiredness and morning sickness and also 2 episodes of spotting, 1 lasting a few days at 4 weeks (probably implantation) and another for 10 days at 6 weeks.

My due date was looming near and my blood pressure had started creeping up. My GP diagnosed pre-eclampsia and my blood pressure and protein levels were being measured every 2 days. I attended a scheduled appointment with my GP on Monday 24th November 2003. My GP told me that if she had been on duty at the hospital then she would have admitted me for induction. She also gave me an internal to assess my cervix and we were surprised to find it already 1cm dilated and ripe. I was sent the hospital for a trace CTG. Paul and I were pleased to hear that baby was doing very well. We were pretty much given the impression that my condition was progressing and it was becoming critical that we move things along.

On Tuesday 25th November I attended my regular antenatal appointment at the hospital. My BP at rocketed to 145/95 and I had 2+ Protein present in my urine. I was admitted immediately and told that my induction would start at 9pm that evening. Bubby was given another CTG and was still happy (still 3/5 above brim too mind you) and Paul arrived shortly thereafter after going home and getting the bags.

9.45pm CTG 20 minutes - all good.

10.05pm 1st dose of Prostaglandin gel inserted and 1 hour CTG. Regular but small contractions.

11.15pm 2 mild sleeping tablets taken.

I was woken by a midwife at 5.55 am on Wednesday 26th November for BP check at 20 minute CTG. BP hadn’t come down much 140/90. Bubby doing very well.

6.15am Internal showed that no progress had been gained by the first gels. 2nd gels inserted at a 1hr CTG trace. I was told that the GP would be in at 9.00am to break my waters.

9.00am GP breaks my waters on the second attempt. My contractions start almost immediately at 5 minutes apart and lasting for 30 seconds.

12.30pm Internal shows that I am 3cm dilated. Contractions are still 5 minutes apart lasting for between 30 and 40 seconds. My contractions aren’t painful and I’m able to walk and breathe through them. Labour is established. During this time I am using hot packs on my back for pain relief and have positioned myself straddled over a chair supported by pillows.

GP returns at 5.00pm. My contractions are still 5 minutes apart and not gaining in intensity. Paul and I discuss with GP about putting in an oxytocin drip, as I haven’t progressed in the last 4 ½ hours. We all agree that it is the best option and I’m told that my baby would be born tonight. I finish my dinner and my drip is put in at about 6.00pm. The plan is to increase my drip every ½ hour and by 7.00pm I am in the throws of labour with contractions coming every 3 minutes and lasting for between 45 and 60 seconds and I decide to get up on the bed on all fours supported by a bean bag and pillows. My midwife gets the radio for us and puts on a Lavender burner that smelt delicious. This works for about another ½ hour when I decide that I want to use the shower and hot water for pain relief. During each contraction I try squatting and I use the shower handle on my pelvis and tummy. Paul runs the hot water over my back in between contractions.

After about 45 minutes I ask if I can use the bath. The midwife runs the bath for me and I remember entering the room and finding a warm bath, dimmed lights, soft music and Lavender oil burning. Contractions were now coming every 2 minutes and lasting for about 60 seconds. I’m concentrating on breathing through each contraction and relaxing totally in between. All of the sudden I find that breathing isn’t working and the pain is incredible and each contraction feels like it’s shattering my pelvis. I cave in on my thoughts of a drug free birth and concede that I just can’t do it. I ask Paul to ask the midwife for an epidural and can you believe he won’t do it! When the midwife comes back within earshot I ask her for an epidural and she asks if I’m sure and I tell her that I am. I later find out that she tells Paul that she doesn’t think I really want one at all and I’m moving into transition instead.

My midwife tells me that I need to be examined by the doctor before an epidural can be ordered and we move into the birthing suite at about 9pm . My wonderful midwife Chris brings in the Lavender oil and the music. The lights are dimmed and it’s a perfect atmosphere to be giving birth in. My contractions are coming every 90 seconds and lasting for a minute and I start on the gas, it is a welcome distraction but doesn’t really help with the pain. The GP arrives at 9.30pm and gives me an internal and tells me I’m 9cm dilated with an anterior lip - I can’t believe I’ve progressed that much so soon.

At 9.45pm the GP asks me if I have any preference for positions for pushing as I can start pushing anytime I want. I start pushing at 9.50 squatting using a squatting bar at the end of my bed. At 10.15 my GP suggests a change of position and I move to a semi sitting/squatting position with my legs supported on my midwife and GP’s hips. At 10.20 my beautiful baby starts crowning and I’m asked if I’d like a mirror. I expect to be given a little handheld mirror but instead a full length mirror is bought in and the sight of my baby crowning is all I need to get in there and push with everything I have. My GP and midwife comment to Paul that they can’t believe how relaxed I am between each contraction.

At 10.53 my baby’s head is born and due to a small labial graze that is bleeding quite a bit her body is delivered before the next contraction. My beautiful baby girl is born and is bought straight up onto my chest. Paul cuts the cord and Grace Regina is already at my breast. Grace’s APGAR scores were 8 and 9, she weighed 3685 grams (8lb 2oz), head circumference 35cm and she was 53.5 cm long. As I only had 2 small labial grazes and was feeling so good I decided to bring my baby home on Friday and we have been doing very well ever since.