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hey all......still no tracy i see......bet savannah is here and keeping her smiling and thinking it was all worth it now.........hope everyone is well and those babies arent keeping you up too much so far....take care all and i will check in later...........

Hello all. Well finally (after 10 days) I’ve found a little time to write my birth story. I’m actually writing it in parts because it’s such an intricate one and Miriana is sure to interrupt at some point for a feed! She is so beautiful though and the labour was well worth the result. We are both healthy and well and that is the main thing isn’t it? ******** So here it is – I woke at 4am with a small case of diarrhoea which was not too out of the ordinary throughout my pregnancy. However, then I started to get what I would call “stomach turns” which, of course, I first a__sociated with the diarrhoea but soon realized that they were coming at about 8 minute intervals and that was rather unusual. After about an hour, my DH woke up and I told him what was happening. We waited another half an hour (2 or 3 more “turns”) and then my waters started to break – I say started as they were to continue trickling for many more hours. So initially I thought we could hold out at home for a bit so we got the suitcases ready, did the washing up (!!!!) and I set about the “project” which I had put aside for the first few hours of labour (I read that having something to do was a good way to keep calm and I thoroughly recommend it) which, in this case, was sticking all the cards we received for the shower into the Baby Diary. After another hour my waters had “trickled” two more times and I began to realize that it was not sensible to wait much longer even though the “contractions” were still too far apart. So we reckoned it was time and we drove to the hospital with a towel underneath me still thinking that it could be a false alarm – better safe than sorry though, eh? By now it was about 6.30am and I was feeling quite wide awake which was good. We arrived at the maternity ward and I was given my first examination which revealed that labour had indeed started but that I was onoy 1cm dilated. The advice I was given was to walk about the hospital and return every two hours for a checkup and scan. I was glad about this as I wanted to keep the labour as active as possible. So this is what we did for the next 20 HOURS or so!! By the end of the 20 hours we were both pretty tired as the contractions were pretty much steady at every 4-5 minutes and strong enough to really use my yoga breathing (thank goodness for all my research/reading around the subject). However, by this time I was still only 2 cm dilated and there was some concern that the baby didn’t have enough protection given that my waters had broken so long ago. (Several of the scans had shown a healthy heartbeat but very little movement and so I was asked to lie down during them – I normally prefer to sit given that I have low blood pressure). A room was then organised on the ward and we brought all our stuff up to put away and then we went into the birthing centre room (a room with a double bed and soft lighting which was a perfect place for us to try to relax). Another 4 hours and still no development and by this time I was beginning to feel exhausted. The midwife suggested that I got into the birthing pool for an hour or so to see if that would move things along. I was a bit hesitant at first because I had read that getting in too early can slow things down and I was also so keen to have the baby in the water that I didn’t want to ruin my chances. However, after discussing it with DH we agreed that it wouldn’t do any harm and would certainly be supportive during the contractions. It was. I stayed in the bath for just over an hour and I can thoroughly recommend it – it supported me throughout each contraction and DH was next to me to keep my concentration. However, this still only moved dilation on by 1 more cm (3cm) and by now the midwives and doctors were really getting concerned – not because the baby was showing any signs of distress yet, but because we were working so hard (for very little progress) that when it came to pushing I may not have the energy needed and we already knew that the baby was a big one and would require a lot of “oomph”!! So it was suggested that I try the acupunture (which you may remember I was having for 4 weeks leading up to labour) and I was all for that. Yet again – no progress. So then came a homeopathic stimulant for labour – 5 drops every hour. Still no progress. We were nearing the 30 hour mark by this stage and no advance in dilation. Then came the next option – induction. I was really not keen on the idea as I had read that it brings the contractions on very suddenly and they can be very painful as a result and I had really wanted to let the labour build gradually so that I could avoid all pain relief. DH and I explained the situation and the midwife was very understanding. However, the real b__w was when she said that it would be a good idea to consider the induction (oxytocin drip) in line with an epidural - the reason being that the epidural might help my cervix to relax and to allow dilation to move on a bit quicker. This was absolutely against everything DH and I had wanted in our birth plan and so we were naturally keen to avoid it. We decided to go back to the birthing centre room to talk about it and to try and get some more rest in between contractions (which were now slowing down to anywhere between 6 to 8 minutes apart). Our decision was to continue the natural birth for another hour and then see if anything had changed. We got some rest and then began again with the walking about. However, I have to say that now we were 30 hours into the labour I was battling to find any reserve to walk or even sit and DH could sense that. We were both really worried that, even with induction, that I still had another possible 8 hours to go and that neither of us were sure if I had it in me. So, VERY reluctantly and for the sake of the baby not getting into a stressed situation, we agreed to the epidural and induction. The process of having the epidural was thankfully not as traumatic as I had envisaged (although I was really disappointed that this meant we could no longer use the birthing pool – thank goodness I’d got in it earlier – and that we were now in one of the more “practical”, although, thankfully not clinical, birthing rooms) and the anaesthetist was incredibly professional and kind. So this part of the process was my least favourite part of the labour because I couldn’t really feel the contractions and all I could do was lie there and wait until one of the doctors told me there was progress. Very disappointing. Another 6 hours pa__sed and shift changes were happening all around me. A new doctor came to check my cervix and found that it was only 4 cm – after nearly 38 hours! She was concerned that the baby was not engaged any more and, with no amniotic fluid left to protect it, was being put in danger. The doctor who had been with me all the way through the labour (LOVELY man!) came in and examined me for a second opinion. He agreed with her and explained that there was only one option left – the one that I had dreaded throughout – a caesarean. I was beaten. I had no energy left and I realized that if I tried to continue with the natural/v____al birth which I had so longed for, that I would be putting both of us in danger. DH and I also agreed that it would be much better for my state of mind if I was active in the decision to have a caesarean rather than trying to continue and risking the need for an emergency operation should the baby get distressed. So that was that. I cried with disappointment and sadness but knew in my heart that I was doing the best thing. I was prepped for the operation and then waited (what turned out to be 3 hours – continuing with contractions - as the hospital had suddenly got a lot of emergencies). Despite the wait, there was still no progress in dilation so by 7.30pm (39 hours after labour had started) I was taken down to the operation room. My DH was by my side throughout which was fantastic and all the staff at the hospital were incredibly supportive. It all happened really quickly. No sooner had they put up the curtain between my head and the rest of me than they started the procedure. Although I was numb to the pain, I was so utterly grateful that I could still feel my darling baby being born. They seemed to “wrestle” her out which was an amazing feeling and at least I feel like I was part of the process and have a memory of her actual birth. Then came a far away cry – like it was in another room and we were told that we have a baby girl. Amazing! A girl! I was overwhelmed. DH went to see her and watched as the midwives and doctors did all the necessary tests (she pa__sed with flying colours!!) and was rea__sured that her cone-shaped head would settle down (it has!!) and that everything was fine. He stayed with me then while she went upstairs to the birthing room and I got st_tched (about 20 minutes or so). We then both went up to see her together which was a wonderful feeling. She was so beautiful and I put her straight to my b___st and she latched on like she’d been doing it for years. Fantastic. After a few hours of observation they wheeled me back to my ward/room in which, luckily for us, the second bed was free so my DH was able to stay the night with us. I was so thankful that we could stay together as a family that first night and although the bed next to me was taken the following night, my DH was by my bedside from 8am until 10pm throughout my hospital stay (8days in all). Recovery from the operation has been hard but reasonably quick. The pain was worth it though. Life with Miriana was quite tough in the hospital as we couldn’t really follow our own pattern given that the nurses have their own routine and the mother and baby next to us were also dealing with issues such as jaundice and b___stfeeding problems. I also had problems with feeding at first because Miriana was such a big baby and so exhausted after the long labour that she couldn’t get enough nourishment from the colostrum and would feed almost constantly – very tiring and sore on the nipples!! However, she seems to have settled much more at home and we are both getting better at it every day. She has regained her birth weight (plus a little more) which is fabulous and all is going well according to the midwife who visits every day. She has already outgrown the clothes (thankfully all secondhand) that were in the top draw (0-1month) and is an expert at filling her nappies!! (We haven’t yet started with the cloth ones as we thought it would be rather too much to cope with in the first week. However, my mum arrives on Wednesday so with that extra pair of hands we can start learning the “reusable” way soon. I can’t wait as I just know they’ll be more snuggly than the plastic ones. Today is bath day (yesterday was too busy to manage it) so that will be yet another new experience. Anyway, as you can see, our labour was a rollercoaster ride and I’m so grateful that I read around the subject so that I was fully prepared for all eventualities. I now feel qualified to talk about all different forms of labour be it natural, homeopathic, acupuncture, waterbirth, with pain relief, induction or caesarean because I’ve had them all!!!!!!!!!!!!! So this is the start of it all – I’ll write again soon when I have time but I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for being with me on the amazing journey to birth. I really hope we will stay in touch post birth too (and that includes all the ttc-ers of course!!!!). Hope everyone is well – I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t really had time to read your posts. Looking forward to hearing all your birth stories. Don’t be frightened – that’s the main thing. I think what got me through was staying relaxed throughout and ACTIVELY participating in the whole experience – never letting anyone persuade me to do anything I didn’t want to and making all the decisions myself (with the support of my husband of course!). I am truly blessed with my daughter and can’t wait to see her grow. Wonderful wonderful stuff. Good luck to you all and I’ll talk to you soon!! XOXOXOXOX

My goodness - apologies for the length of that post!! It surely makes up for my absence doesn't it!! Hope you don't mind and that it's an enjoyable read. Til later XOXOXOX

Hi Hopeful, OH MY GOD that was a very interesting birth story, as you described it, you went through all kind of labor. I am so happy for you though that you have your daughter in you arms now, and I am sure you forgot about all the labor issues you went through. Let me tell you are so brave to hang in there through all this time, trying to have a natural labor, but certainly its worth it at the end. I am so happy for you and your husband, and looking forward to hear your baby stories. Congratulations, love you xoxoxoxo

hopeful....that was a great read i cried just reading all you went through trying to have the birth you wanted and visioned...but in the end had the dreaded C....i was the same with my daughter but my labor wasnt as long only 19 hrs and i had started pitocin sooner and was having contractions that hurt SOOOOOO bad but not dialating at all i got to a 3 after 19 hrs and my Dr suggested a C and i was all for it becasue it meant i would stop hurting and get pain releif......i did at least get the experience of a natural with my son that is almost 17 .......i am starting to wonder if this LO is gong to wait until my scheduled C date of may 30....i was at work 12 hrs yesterday and i had a few BH contractions yesterday didnt think to much about them becasue they have been coming and going for a while now but them i realized they were a bunch of them so i got to timing them and i was having 3-4 hr and my Dr said no more than 5 in an hr (preterm laobor) so i waited it out and when i got off i went home took a warm bath and laid on my left side and they went away......the last one i had in the tub......i have had none today but i have a period type crampy feeling where i usually have cramps before i start ...not sure what to think of it.......i have an NST tomorrow so i will tell them then.......i am 35 weeks and 4 days so i think that is still considered preterm.......but i am kinda afraid to tell because we really are depending on my last check ( that we are in the middle of the payperiod now) to pay a few things and get a couple last minute things before i am out at least 6 weeks.........becasue the first check after my C DH will make his last payment on his truck and we will have a little over 400 a month extra so we wil be ok until i can go back in 6 weeks but if i dont get to work up until the last day that i am scheduled for before my C we will get a little behind and i really dont want that.......sorry i am rambling now yall dont want to hear that...........i am sooo waiting to hear from tracy.......i know she is enjoying her baby girl right now.......i will check in later bye

hi all... wow, HOPEFUL, thanks for sharing your story! Sounds like you made a valiant effort to go for the natural childbirth, but it just wasn't to be. But it does sound like you felt in control during all of the decision-making which is great! PUNKIN, I hope you can work a bit longer. I know it can be tough when income is reduced (or non-existent in my case!) because of maternity leave. I just did a bunch of financial calculations the other day and I'm determined not to spend any money on unnecessary items. We're lucky to have some savings, but we don't want to go through it all while I'm on leave, so we're trying to be very frugal now. Nothing new here, except a racing pulse a while ago. It was at 120-125 bpm. I ate some lunch and have been sitting down for a while so it's slowed down. But if it starts racing again when I stand up, I might call my doctor. FYI, Tracy did have her baby! She had a brief post last night on the May thread. Hopefully she'll post here soon! Hope everyone is having a good day...

Congrats New Mommies! H&E - what was her Length & Weight? So excited for you all!

Congrats Hopeful...welcome to the C-section club..its NOT so bad at all. xoxoxoxo

Great story, Hopeful! I'm so glad that it all turned out okay and that you and your baby girl are doing well! Sounds a lot like my 1st pg 16 yrs ago! Although my ds ended up being under distress so I had to have an emergency c -section. I can't remember how far dialated I ended up but it wasn't much after hours and hours of contractions. It wasn't until I had my other ds 3 years after that, that I found out what happened with 1st ds. I guess he was turned just so and therefore wasn't putting enough pressure on my pelvic area to progress the labor. The other two after that I ended up having v____al births though, so if you're still planning on having more...it doesn't have to be once a cs, always a cs. I'm hoping this one will be a VBAC too! And congrats to you too, Tracy! I read your short post on the Maymommies thread and it sounds like you went through quite an ordeal too. Looking forward to hearing the whole story. Meanwhile, you new moms enjoy your time with your lo's! We'll still be here...waiting. I keep telling people that I'm 36 wks, but I'm only 34 wks-lol. I think it must be wishful thinking! I finally called the doc on my black stools-they say it could be a sign of internal bleeding-not good. So I have to get it checked out on Thur. Other than that, feeling a lot of pressure in my pelvic area so I'm not sure if he's starting to engage or what, but it feels like very strong menstrual cramps. Looks like for the frequent posters left to deliver on this board, it's Val, Punkin and Me!!! Wow, it's getting down there. Then we have the TTCer's pgs to look forward to! And of course, baby stories to keep in touch with. Hugs to all, better get back to work!

hey all......i may be next......or like BM5 said it maybe wishful thinking.....in my last post i told yall about the contractions on Sat then Sun crampy feeling well Mon i could hardly walk it felt like he was going to fall out (sorry TMI but that is the only way i know to describe it) alot of pressure...so i had my NSt yesterday afternoon and they said i was starting to dialate and to stay on bed rest until Wed (on wed i am 36 weeks) then after Wed follow regular labor guidelines (before then it is preterm labor) but i have to work today and i have nothing saying i am to be on bed rest officially so i am here and waiting till Friday and see what Dr says......take care all and will keep yall posted

Hey ladies..Just an update 9 dpo and my temp is hovering fairly low, not below coverline but lower. feeling af may arrive. Keep your fingers crossed. xoxox

Hi ladies... I'm still here. Went to the naturopath yesterday and she did some labor stimulation (acupuncture) points. I don't think it's my imagination that by the evening (and still today) I'm a lot more sore down below. Wonder if the baby has finally decided to move down some? It seems like I can breathe a bit easier also. Maybe I'll try one of the bras I've been avoiding to see if I can tell a difference. PUNKIN, how are you doing? Can't you get your doctor to fax a note about bedrest to your employer? Seems like he would do that, especially if it's important for you to be on bedrest. Or are you trying to get some more work in? One of my big fears was going too early and ending up with a huge NICU bill. Even though we have good insurance, it's amazing how expensive medical care is. I just finished paying off my ER visit from December (the one that shouldn't have happened if my doctor's office had returned my call during the day. Grrr... that was like $800 we could have used for other things!) LM3 - I'll cross my fingers that af stays away... I so want you to get your bfp! BabyM5 - that's funny that you are telling people you are 2 weeks ahead. I can definitely relate especially with having an extra large belly. When I tell people how far I am, I always have to go into the big baby thing. It's kind of annoying - about half the people say, "well, maybe there's twins in there." I know that they don't realize that I've had like 7 ultrasounds, but it still somehow ticks me off! (I think I'm getting overly sensitive lately.) I've been confused all along about what to tell people. Do I go by the weeks/days (37w3d) or by the week (week 38)? I usually go by the week... it makes me feel that I'm further along, even though I know it's the same measurement. LB - how is your son doing? And TTC#3 - how are you? HOPEFUL, how is the wee one? I'm hoping TRACY posts her birth story soon... I really want to hear it! Well, I'm off to town soon for a car seat check - the fire department does them twice a month. I figure my dh probably put it in the car correctly, but getting it double checked might not be a bad idea. Hope everyone has a good day!

sorry for rambling on... :-)

Got my af this a/m. My chart says I only have a 9 day LP. How can you lengthen it?

CONGRATULATIONS TRACY!! Glad it is all over for you. Now you can enjoy your little angel. Take care.. Sorry ladies I just finished typing for twenty minutes and got timed out when I tried to submit. I will try again later.. Hope everyone is feeling great.. Take care for now!

Congratulation Tracy, that was a real hard time you had there, but thankfully its over, and Savannah is home. I have to admit though, the way you described your birth story made me laugh most of the time, although I felt so bad for all what you went through. You have a great sense of hummer even through this. Congratulations again, and hope you will keep us posted on your progress. Good luck.