Harry's birth story

[Debbie_P]

Well, as you know it was an elective c section, mainly because of the trauma of Jack's birth when the placenta totally abrupted in the end after 4 weeks of bleeding and having to have a crash section under general. Also, I was worried about the risk of the scar rupturing which although was 1 in 200 risk, I know that would have played on my mind during labour.

I went in at 7.30 Thursday morning and was originally 2nd on the list so it should have been done that morning. For some reason the person that was 3rd had to go before me so I didn't go down until after 2 in the afternoon. The hardest bit was not being able to have any water from the night before and getting over a cough and cold without being able to drink was a nightmare. They put a drip in eventually as I was getting dehydrated, but having a dry throat, combined with laying flat for the section, resulted in me coughing which caused more blood loss. Luckily it wasn't a problem and I didn't need a transfusion or anything, but afterwards was horrible with coughing and all the phlegm I had on my chest, and worrying about bursting any stitches.

That was the only problem though, and having an elective c section was so much better than an emergency one and it was a very positive experience. Even the spinal didn't hurt, I didn't even feel the needle go in and it was a funny feeling feeling tugging on my tummy with no pain. The most amazing part was obviously seeing Harry straight after and finding out he weighed 9lb 15oz. The community midwife I had been assigned through the pregnancy was there with me as well which was lovely seeing a familiar face and she said that there was no way with my build that I would have managed to push him out and having the section was definitely the best way to have had him.

Although it was a bit painful afterwards, it was no where near as painful as after I had the emergency one, no wind pains either.

I was meant to have my stitches out tomorrow, but I noticed that one end of the stitches was hanging down lower and was getting longer and longer, so the midwife looked at it this morning, and said that there was only about half an inch of the stitch left in, and she just gently pulled it and it came out. It has knitted together nicely which amazed me after all the coughing I have had.

The midwives were absolutely brilliant on the ward and as soon as I pressed the buzzer they were with me and nothing was too much trouble. I definitely wouldn't recommend having a section with a cough though, but this time of the year with so many colds and coughs around it can't be helped. Colin said he saw a room down the corridor and they were having to have barrier nursing and he saw the midwives coming out of the room with masks on. It makes me wonder if the poor woman has swine flu, which makes my little cough nothing in comparison.

Anyway, a much much better birth this time round and for anyone comtemplating having an elective section instead of a VBAC I would say the section is definitely a positive experience. Even one of my midwives told me earlier that if it was her she would have the section rather than a VBAC, as she said the chances of having to have an emergency section were high, due to the fact that they don't let you labour too long due to scar rupture and with a date given you can plan around it, which was true as Colin's mum and dad came over to stay the night before and stayed a couple of nights.

I did wonder if I was going to make it to the 12th without my waters breaking, as I was so uncomfortable and every time I had a wee I was in pain like a bad period pain afterwards for about 10 minutes, which must have been due to the weight of him on my bladder, to be honest that pain was worse than the pain after this section.

Thank you ladies for reading this.

Love Debbiexx

Just an update, I saw the midwife that was present at Harry's birth the other day and she said that when they took him out he was all caught up in the cord around his neck and his body. She said they had to untangle him during the section and it would have caused him a lot of distress if I had had a vaginal birth as the cord would have pulled tight around his neck as he came out, and I would have had to have had an emergency section. I am so so pleased that I had him by elective as it makes me shudder to think of what could have happened otherwise.

[Ruth Walker]

It's lovely to read about such a positive experience. Thanks for sharing it.
xxx

[Zsazsa]

so many congrats on your new arrival and what a positive experience.

Deb
xxx

[jomama]

Debbie

Wow, sounds like a really positive experience for you . So glad that Harry is here safe and sound.

Hope you are all well and your cough is long gone.
Take care
J

[JudithS]

Debbie, I haven't been on M35+ lately and suddenly realised your next baby must be due soon, only to find I have totally missed it! CONGRATULATIONS, it must be a huge relief after everything that happened with Jack. All the best to the 3 of you!