Freya Rose

Freya Rose has arrived!

Here's the Birth Story!

The lead up...
Thursday was a MADLY busy day. We were up at 6.30am ready for the scan at 9am. After the scan, Noah and I went to Toddlers and then whizzed round town for a few bits. I said I'd drop into work but as I drove out of the car park, the car started playing up on me so I got all stressed and managed to get it to Sy's work to park it and tell him - there was no way I was going to drive it like that! Sy lives just around the corner from our soft play place so Noah and I walked the 10 mins to get there and stayed there and had some lunch until Sy was on his break and could pick us up. Popped into school quickly and then went home. Noah had a huge 3hour sleep from 3-6pm but I was busy updating here etc. and tidying up so didn't nap myself (wished I had later!).

The birth story...
Simon got home from work at 6.30pm. As Noah had slept so long we knew he'd be up late so thought we'd descend upon the MIL for a couple of hours! At 7pm, just as we were about to leave I felt a small leak down below so rushed to the loo where some fluid fell out of me - completely clear (and not wee as I'd just done a big one!). I wasn't sure if it was waters or not but told Sy just in case and thought I'd wait and see what happened. In the car on the way to MILs I had my first cramp and had a few for the couple of hours we were there. Was texting a Mummy friend at this point for advice on waters breaking and what labour feels like when it happens naturally, lol! The cramps weren't bad enough to cause any real pain and I didn't mention them to Sy or the MIL at the time as I still wasn't convinced I was in labour!

Got home at 9pm and the cramps soon got closer and ‘crampier’! I thought I’d have a shower and freshen up and when I went to the loo after getting out I had a show! It must have been pretty much complete – an enormous blob of pink jelly. Fascinating! Thought we better phone Sy's Mum then to come and get Noah in case it really was labour! The cramps were now about 5 minutess apart already but I could still talk through them while bouncing on my trusty ball. I had it in place of the computer chair so I could sit and surf the net/time the contractions online to take my mind off things between cramps! We phoned the labour ward to let them know what was going on and to ask their advice about what to do and when. They said the typical take paracetamol, have a bath, ring back when the pains are 4 minutes apart and hurt a bit more!

I didn’t have a bath – had a funny feeling things would be quick. By 11pm I knew it was time to tell the hospital we were coming in. The pains had intensified and were 3 or 4 minutes apart. Still only painful enough to make me go ‘Oooooohhh owowowowowowowow!’ but definitely at the point I knew things were happening!

We got to the hospital at about 11.30pm and I was taken to my room (which was one with a birthing pool even though I hadn’t asked – was really pleased!). Because of the oligohydramnios I was strapped to the monitor for 20minutes to monitor baby’s heat-rate during the contractions but she was fine. I did a wee and got changed out of my clothes and then, not long after midnight, the contractions suddenly changed!! VERY painful, very fast and very long! It felt like there was hardly any let up between them!

I wasn’t comfy on all the ball all squashed up anymore so knelt over the back of the bed. Asked for some Gas&Air as hadn’t used it before. I didn’t mind it and it did help me become a bit less aware but I preferred the feeling of ‘coming down’ after I’d stopped breathing it in than the feeling of while I was sucking it so stopped using it after about half an hour. I couldn’t be bothered to hold onto the damn thing either and by this stage I was really growling and moaning and the sound of my noises echoing down the mouthpiece was horrendous! So in the end I just hung onto the bed and shouted lots!! I was so quiet and calm with Noah but I was a bit of an animal with my grunting this time round! It did hurt a hell of a lot more though! I also poo’d when I was at the ‘almost ready to push’ stage. I knew I needed to and I knew I wasn’t quite ready to push baby out but had to push something out so thought I might as well! Good old labour, eh! I remember apologising for it being soft and squidgy (not that I could see it!). I also remember the Midwives at this point discussing anal swelling and wondered what on earth I’d done (luckily nothing - the Senior MW was just giving the student MW a bit of a lesson!!)!!

By 2am I was ready to push. I’d not had an internal or anything since I’d arrived but it was all happening so fast and the midwives didn’t seem concerned. I turned over to sit/lie on the bed as I was tired of kneeling at this point. With Noah, the pain of the contractions seemed to die down a bit when it came to pushing but this time it was still excruciating. I felt the head moving down and crowning a lot more too. I had one really long contraction which I controlled really well, pushing and stopping on command to get her head out and then one final contraction to get her body out. Two big pushes – that was all it took!

Freya Rose was delivered, squawking, onto my tummy at 2.17am on Friday 28 March 2008. 11 days early and taking us all by surprise! She arrived 7 hours after my waters broke, not quite 3 hours after I arrived at hospital and after only being in hideous pain and 'established labour' for about 2 hours! Fast and painful.

After the birth...
I had the injection to deliver the placenta, the doing of which also hurt this time (little contractions) and even asked to have a look at it – I was curious!! I only had a first degree tear (graze they told me!) so didn’t need any stitches this time. It’s a little tender but that's all.

Freya was given her Vitamin K and was weighed – 3.09kg or 6lb 13oz (bang on the 50th centile for a baby girl born at 38+2. She seems so small compared to Noah, although is the same length he was when born but they told me she’d be long! She had a feed then and mastered it instantly.

Simon didn’t hang around too long so once I’d convinced the Midwife I would like to stay the night (she asked if I wanted to go home then!) he trotted of to make his phone-calls and go to bed!! I bathed and got dressed and we arrived on the Post Natal Ward at about 4am.

I’m really glad I got to do it naturally...and that it’s over now!! I’m also really proud of myself for having no pain relief this time round!

Labour!!

Well at about 7pm, just after doing a wee, I pulled up my pants and felt something squirt out! Quickly sat back on the loo and some liquid 'fell' out of me. Wasn't sure what to think as had no pains at all today - thought I may have pee'd myself! Thought I'd text a good friend Jo to get some advice on waters breaking!

Fifteen minutes later had my first crampy feeling. Had a couple more at 15/20 minute iintervals but for the last hour they've been coming every 5/10mins. Have only just started properly timing them!

Was at the MIL's so asked Sy if we could come home. Hopped in the shower (too scared to have a bath in case I won't make it to the hospital in time, lol!!), had a funny feeling down below when I got out so did a wee and had a show! Bright pink jelly blob. So exciting! The first time I've experienced that!

Even though the contractions are fairly close together they're still bearable. Like REALLY bad period pains that make me hold my breath and sway about but not moan or anything yet! I hope they're not going to fizzle out.

Have phoned the labour ward who said the typical - have some paracetamol and a bath and ring back when they're about 4 mins apart and lasting a minute and are a bit more painful. Just scared it's going to be a not hurt much labour and I won't make it on time!! Knowing my luck it'll probably actually stop!!!

Just thought you'd like ...oooh just had a really painful one.....to know!!

I just can't believe it's happening naturally!!

They're still at every 5 minutes ish but getting stronger. I'm sat here bouncing on my ball. SImon's job is to press the button to time the contractions on a website we found!

Sometimes I'll get a sneaky contraction after about 3 mins but it'll only last 20 secs. Just now was a 7 min gap but the contraction was longer.

Simon's dad just came to get Noah. I cried when he left thinking it'll be the last time I see him as my baby. I felt really sorry for him. He was quite clingy too.

Week 39: Scan

38+2

Everything is fine! There's still not loads of fluid in there but there's 3cm more than there was so I'm obviously not losing any which is the important thing. They like there to be more than 7.5cm at 38weeks (last time I was 7cm) and I've got 10 so that's fab news!

Girly has grown well too. A fortnight ago her Head Circumference, Abdominal Circumference and length of the thighbone were: 32.3cm, 31.4cm & 7.2cm. This week they were: 33.8cm, 34.1cm and 7.7cm. She's gone from sitting on the average line on the chart to being just above it. I hope she doesn't get too big! They didn't give me an estimated weight or anything but I would think she'll be high in the 7lbs somewhere at least going by what Noah was.

BP fine, even my urine was fine today and not full of glucose. She is still head down and is quite well engaged as they had a real hard time getting head measurements for her as she was so low in my pelvis!

I had a lovely positive and informative Registrar this time too who gave me real confidence that things were fine and there's nothing to worry about. She could see no reason for interfering with nature and inducing me and I was actually really relieved! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I think a lot of the reason I've been bogged down about the pregnancy over the last couple of weeks is because I've been feeling in limbo, not knowing what was going on in there and was worrying my socks off! Now I feel all happy about being pregnant again and can't wait for labour to begin and give birth normally! I'm actually quite excited!

Those period pain like niggles have settled a little although I can still feel some strange aches. I think my body is just preparing itself.

I'm really happy now!

Week 39

38+1

I woke up feeling like I'd been for a long horse-ride over night!!!

My pelvic bones ache all inside as do the muscles on the inside of my thighs at the top. Not sure why baby's head engagin would affect my leg muscles though...maybe I just sat in a funny position yesterday?!

It's making me do the 'John Wayne walk'.

Have also had some quite strange niggles/pains/cramps over the last 24 hours. They've been quite erratic though - ranging from a couple of times an hour to every couple of hours.

I think it'd be obvious if it was the beginnings of labour but they're strange feelings nonetheless. Not like the windy/muscular/need the loo etc. aches and pains I've felt on and off for the last few weeks - more crampy and tight. And down quite low like sharp period pains which then spread over my bump and round my back. I think it's the Braxtons hotting up. They're quite contration like but definitely not contractions. Not that I know what early natural labour feels like, lol - when induced with Noah it was from nothing to horrendous contractions just like that!

It would be so lovely if it was the beginning of things but I think that's just wishful thinking, lol! Little madam has also been having a major squirm so think she might be stretching my insides! Just thought I'd make a note of it for future reference!

Week 38

37+5

Urgh. I'm definitely at the 'had enough' stage!!! I'm just soo unbelievably achey and uncomfortable. I constantly have to move about and not stay in one position for too long (although walking too much and being too active also makes me sore!) otherwise I seize up! Night-time is awful, I'm still peeing frequently (usually 4 times a night) and it's just such an effort to try and get out of bed each time! My back and pelvis seem to lock into position while I'm sleeping and just rolling from one side onto the other is a huge mission!

Girly's movement are just so painful most of the time. Especially at the moment - there's an obvious bodily part poking out (not sure if it's a knee/elbow/foot) which she wiggles constantly. I'm really noticing the lack of fluid now! And when poor Noah sticks an elbow in me while cuddling he gets squawked at! Ouch!!

Have had some very strange niggles over the past week, many in my back. Not sure if I might have a urine infection or something as it almost feels like it could be my kidneys. Unless it's just painful Braxtons in my back (goes all the way up to my neck sometimes!!).

I'm bouncing on my ball and going for walks like crazy. Have also started on the old raspberry leaf tea. I tried all the old tricks last time. Might try eating copious amounts of fresh pineapple soon but there's no way I'm going down the sex or curry route! Can't manage either without serious discomfort these days!

I'm curious about the scan on Thursday. As much as I want a natural labour, the thought of being induced sooner isn't bothering me! I'm going alone this time as Sy can't get off work and I'll have to take Noah so I hope he behaves!! He'll be pinned into his pushchair with lots of snacks and books to keep him occupied!! Hope he doesn't create! The whole thing took about an hour last time what with the waiting, the scan, the consultation etc. It's a long time to keep a little man occupied.

Week 37

36+2

I had the scan to check the girly's position today. I was excited about seeing her again...and also hoping she'd not be too big and squashed that they might confirm she's a girly, lol (which they did - definitely a she!). I was also really looking forward to, either way, finding out which way up she is so I could move on and start planning for the birth!

Well the good (great/fab!) news is that baby HAS turned!! She's head down, although not anywhere near being engaged (but then she's only been that way up for a week or so!). My blood pressure is fine too but there was massive amounts of glucose in my urine again. Not too much of a problem though and I've not been the healthiest eater over the past week or so and baby's growth is fine so it's not affected that at all which would be the only reason to worry.

We did have some worrying news though - there's very little fluid in there with baby. Not super-dangerously low, just 'borderline' apparently. They spent ages looking for some and measuring it. Over the next two weeks I have to keep a real eye on the girly's movements and any leaks from below. I wasn't told what to do or who to call if I AM at all concerned - I assume contact the labour ward or my Midwife. I'm worrying about the waters leaking now as for the past week or so I have been quite 'damp' down below. I've almost felt like I've been leaking but put it down to increased discharge. Now I know the fluid is low it's got me wondering! I'm going to give my Midwife a call just to check what I need to do and get her opinion on the joyful wet knickers!!

I've been reading up about low fluid (it's called oligohydramnios) and it says the normal healthy measures of fluid are 5cm-25cm. Mine was 7cm so still within those brackets. They're going to scan me again in two weeks. If there's no change in the amount of fluid, or it's lessened or baby has stopped growing then they'll induce me.

I've just realised that the low fluid is probably what is causing her movements to feel so painful for me. They really do take my breath away and make me cry out sometimes. No padding to make it gentle for Mummy. Have to be careful I don't hurt her back I guess!

I'm not bothered about being induced - at least I won't have to have a section now unless there's an emergency. Although, if she's not engaged still in a fortnight is it likely that induction alone will get her out? Anyway, I'm just really worried about baby having to live in there with not much fluid and that I'm going to be constantly worrying if she's moving enough or whether or not I'm leaking fluid or imagining it! It's stressing me out and making me feel quite tearful.

Thing is, if I hadn't had the scan to check her position I wouldn't have known about the fluid and wouldn't be worrying. Then again, that might mean I wouldn't have worried when I'd needed to.

Only other thing to report is that during the night and again when I woke up this morning I found a wet patch on my sheet near my pillow. I thought I might have dribbled (attractive!) or spilled water when drinking but turns out if was a booby leakage!! They were in full flow a few hours later! It's getting a bit dramatic now! Was never so obvious with Noah before he was born!

That's it for now. I'm so happy she's turned, I just hope she hangs on to her fluid. Although I just want her safely out now!

Week 36

35+1

Trying not to get my hopes up but I think she might have turned. I didn't necessarily feel her do it but I've had some incredible painful movements over the last few days that have made me cry out in pain which I think is either due to her making her way round or the fact she slipped easily into the head-down position and the more painful movements are now due to the way she is now laying. Most of the prods and sharp movements are now at the top of my bump but at the front - I think if she has turned she is laying back to back as it's like her feet and knees are poking out of the top of my bump. It's really quite uncomfortable! Amusing too though as if I have soemthing resting on my bump (a hand, a glass of water etc.) she kicks it out the way! When I move my hand etc. she follows it and kicks it again! EIther that or I'm completely wrong and she's still head-butting me! Only a week until we find out for sure at the scan.

I'm really aching now - especially my back (all over) which is another reason I think she may be back to back. I can't sit/lay/bend for too long as I end up aching for ages. It's really slowing me down now and making me incapable of doing anything! I'm feeling very whale like and huff and puff and grunt and groan getting out of chairs and rolling over in bed!

Other news is my left boobie (just the left one!) starting leaking more than just a few drops this week! I looked down to found a small sticky circle on my top and was glad I was at home!
My hospital bags are also almost packed now. Baby girl's is completely done but I've left mine as what I take will depend on what kind of birth I have and wanted to wait and see if I'd need a section first. Plus I'll be using lots of the stuff until I go into the hospital!

I can honestly say I enjoyed Noah's pregnancy much more. Having the time to revel in it all and sleep and rest when I wanted to in the later weeks. It's so much harder at this stage with a little monster to run around after and I'm just about ready for it to be over now!

Hopefully she HAS turned and I'll be able to have my natural birth but she won't keep me waiting too long! Don't want much do I?!

35wks: Bump