She's Here

She arrived at 8.37am on Thursday 20th September - a day before our 5th wedding anniversary!

She weighed in at 3.94 kgs (just under 9lbs) and measured 52cm.

The 'ribbon' did the trick! I had it inserted at around 8pm, then around 12.30pm felt a 'pop' and realised my waters had broken. The nurses were sure that I'd then settle back down and go to sleep ready for the drip in the morning.

But my contractions started, Mr. S had to come speeding back to the hospital at 2am and at 3am - on my request I was assessed and found to be 8cm dilated!

Me - in wheelchair - Mr S. running behind with my bag were rushed into the Labour Ward - where I was told and I was now fully dilated and that the baby would arrive before an epidural.

I had a quick go with the gas - but have now realised I'm one of the ones who get nauseous - so I'm now having a 'drug free birth'!

Since I'd gone so fast, the doc. expected the next stage would go the same way - unfortunately 4 hours later it became apparent that while I'd pushed the baby down and round the corner - she was then 'wedged' - I'm pushing and she's moving then retreating. I'd had the drip set up and been given the Syntocinon to increase my contractions and make them last longer(!)

At 7.30am - the doc. decided I would have to have an assisted delivery and that they'd get an anaesthetist and give me an epidural for it.

Once that happened - lord how do they just 'switch off' pain like that? - I pushed when told and the doc. got her out with forceps.

She's beautiful - we can't believe we're parents.

Will get a pic up here soon.

Yes I'm Still Here

But not for much longer.

Just returned from my Ob. appointment.

The internal-to-include-the-stretch revealed that I'm still nowhere near ready to go into spontaneous labour.

The plan is that I now have to go into hospital this evening and be ready to be induced first thing tomorrow morning.

It would appear that while I haven't taken after my mother in terms of 'getting pregnant at the drop of a hat', I have with 'pregnancy'! Five children - all 2 weeks late.

I asked my Ob. what the story is - I mean in an IVF pregnancy there is no doubt about conception date and time. So what determines when a baby is to be born - is it when the baby is ready or when the mother is?

He seems to think it's the mother - but it's not something that has ever been conclusively proven with humans. IVF would appear to be a very good control for this theory.

It's funny while I've never had the 'grand birth plan', the one thing I never considered was being induced - it's always been will I end up having a natural birth or a caesarian? Will I need an epidural?

So while I was initially upset - I'm making myself see the bright side - I'll be in hospital and everything will be monitored carefully all the way.

So there you have it - I actually have a birth plan now.

Well Who Would Have Thought?

I'm still here - and baby hasn't moved!

Things staying as they are, I see my Ob next on Wednesday, and then he will do another internal - that will include a delightful extra known as a cervical stretch. With luck that will get things moving.

Should that not do the trick - I will be induced on Friday.

So there is an end date in sight - but not a road I particularly want to travel.

Then again, I didn't want to travel the IF road either ... who does?

My pregnancy has been wonderful - so I just have to keep remembering that.

Jeez, must be 5 Star accommodation in that cervix of mine!

Guess What?

I'm still here!

We're 40 weeks - official due date tomorrow.

Still feeling pretty good, and amazingly, still getting to sleep at night.

Organised?

Bag packed - check
Cot - check
Pedicure - check
Hair cut and dyed - check

Now there's no way any midwife is going to be saying to another - 'the woman with the grey roots wants an epidural'!

Should we get there - my next appointment with the Ob is on Wednesday. We have loosely discussed what next - but let's just see.

Even with the absolute accuracy of knowing when fertilisation occured you get with IVF - as my Ob says 'babies don't read the manual, they'll come when they're ready'.

Hold on.

Still Here

Now just on 39 weeks pregnant.

Finished work last week - and feeling a little strange about that. Have to figure out a few things - like what do non-working people do for lunch? I'm used to going to a cafe every day and buying something!

My 'rubber glove' check-up with the Ob. last week revealed that everything looking good for a 'close to date' delivery. Our scan showed us measuring low average - but the Ob reckons we've averaged up a bit.

I was a little worried our baby keeps spinning on it's head and could now be facing spine in (posterior?), but after feeling my belly he reckons we're still spine out.

Still feeling pretty good - except for the regular bouts of heartburn.

Definitely scared about the 'time' coming up - but figure it'll follow it's own course and drag me along with it.

In case you're wondering, Star and I still catch up - and she is very excited.

Far out - what a time - I look back and can't believe where we are. I also can't believe we've got here with so little fuss.

Next update - could be an interesting one.