Gemma's birth story
Gemma Louise arrived in the world on Jan 22nd 2006 at 2.13pm, weighing 8lbs 7ozs. She was almost 3 weeks overdue.
My contractions started on a Saturday evening, and continued to get stronger throughout the night. I stayed at home as long as I could, using the bath as pain relief. When we arrived at my local midwife led birth centre, I was examined and told I was 4cms dilated.
I used gas and air for pain relief, and rocked on a birthing ball. The pains got stronger and stronger, and after another examination, it was discovered I was 8cms. However, the baby's head was too high and not moving down, and the midwives were worried about cord prolapse. So, an ambulance was called and I was transferred to a hospital 20 miles away.
On arrival, my waters broke, and I started to feel very out of control. Another examination showed I was fully dilated, but baby's head was still very high. I pushed for 2 hours, and managed to move the baby right down the birth canal, but at that point she stuck fast. I was already on a monitor as her heart rate was showing decelerations, and it was decided at this point that a ventouse delivery would be neccessary. The doctor attached the cap to the baby's head and pulled with each contraction. However, the suction cap came off her head, and the doctor quickly attempted forceps instead as her head was crowning.
One more contraction with the forceps and she was almost here - at which point they lost her heart trace on the monitor, and were unable to find it again. The crash team was called, and as I had no epidural in place, I was given a general anaesthetic and rushed to theatre for a crash C section.
Obviously, I don't remember the next part, but I do know Gemma was born flat and unresponsive and was resuscitated at birth. She was taken to SCBU for monitoring.
When I came round, I was taken to see her. She had a large red sore on her head from the ventouse cap, and forceps marks on her face. She had a drip and several monitors attached and it was hard to see.
Happily, after a few days, Gemma came home. She has since grown into a lively, chatty and bright little girl who teaches us something new about the world every day.
Jacob's birth story
Jacob Alex arrived on April 25th 2008 at 7.57pm, weighing 6lbs 4ozs.
When I found out I was expecting Jacob, we had a meeting with a
consultant to discuss the birth. After taking everything into
consideration (including my last traumatic delivery) we agreed on an
elective C section, and this was booked for the end of May 2008, at 39
weeks.
At 34 weeks, I attended a routine antenatal appointment, where my waters
broke. I went straight to the hospital and was admitted for an
emergency C section the same day.
We were introduced to a paediatrician before the operation, and he
explained to us the problems that can face premature babies. We were
warned he could be very small, and he may need help with breathing as
his lungs would not be mature. I was given a steroid injection to help
his lungs cope.
I was then taken down to theatre and given a spinal block. The operation
began, and within minutes Jacob was lifted from my tummy - screaming!
This was such a relief as we knew it meant his lungs were functioning.
We had a quick cuddle before he was taken to SCBU.
Once I was stitched, I was taken round to see him. He was breathing on
his own, and was a very healthy size for a 34 week baby! He was
monitored for a few days in SCBU to ensure he could feed and maintain
weight, which he did, and he soon came home to join our family.
He has since thrived, and is now an active and mischevious little monkey who makes everyone laugh!
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