This birth story is from one of my oldest, dearest school friends: Tammy. She had Emily at a young age, and her and the dad split up when Emily was a year old. She has since (very happily) married Ryan and they've just bought a house together. ALSO, they're expecting another beautiful little baba. I'm so happy for her. Here is her birth story, and how gorgeous little Emily came to be.
"It was a Wednesday and it was my last visit to the Doctor. He did an internal and checked my blood pressure and disappeared back into his office. He wanted to induce on Friday... Apparently my blood pressure was a little too high and Emily was ready to meet the world. What did I know and I had no choice really? I also had no idea what ‘being induced’ actually meant? I just knew that it was really sore from the word go. I didn't really like that idea.
That night I had just finished eating dinner with my parents and Emily’s Dad (we lived with my parents) when I felt small cramps along my sides. I ignored them for as long as I could and then they just became so much harder. My dad told me to stop overacting and that it was all in my head! My mom told me to go have a warm bath and Emily’s father... Well he didn't really know what to say or do. I bathed and tried my best to ignore the pains but it got harder and harder. The cramps felt like slow stabbing jabs along my lower sides. At about 9:30pm my mom suggested we go to the hospital. Every speed hump felt like a harder stab to the gut….it was sore! It’s really scary not knowing what is going on, or what you should or shouldn't feel, and wondering if everything was okay!
The nurse examined me and said that I was having early labor symptoms? I was about 1 cm dilated and she wanted me to go home and come back later. EARLY….What the heck? I have to be in labor! HOME? That woman was crazy in my eyes. I wasn't going anywhere! They found a bed for me and we waited for my doctor. Doctor arrived at 10 and did his internal checks etc etc. That same mad nurse came back in and announced it was time to do the enema….It was so degrading, I felt so dirty...It wasn't fun. The doctor came back in and said he wanted to break my waters. NOW THAT WAS PAINFUL! Breaking my waters with that huge hook (like a knitting needle) has to be the worst pain I can remember. It was really really sore!
The worst was over! Now I needed to get my epidural. I was managing with the cramps, but I didn't want it to get any worse than where I was at that stage. I was freaked out because it’s a big-ass needle but it was over really fast. Keeping still was hard, but breaking my water was much more painful.
I totally recommend an epidural. I was almost instantly comfy and I shortly fell asleep. YES I know everyone looks at me like I’m crazy…I REALLY DID FALL ASLEEP! I can vaguely remember my mom freaking out because she was worried that I was sleeping the whole time. I also had a bit of a itchy reaction to it…I didn't care I felt good.
I was in heaven and because I was relaxed I was dilating like a dream. At 2am the nurse called my doctor to say that I was almost ready. He couldn't believe it, he thought I would only have Emily the next morning. The doctor came running in at 2:30am in bright yellow PJ pants and a bright green long sleeved t-shirt. He put on his apron and gum boots and shouted “LETS DO THIS” –I swear he actually said this! The Gum boots freaked me out a little but it was time.
Emily Ann Atkinson was born at 3am on the 1st February 2007. She weighed 3.46 kg and I didn't feel a thing!!!! She was perfect in every way! I had my mom and her father with me the whole time and the amazing doctor. He talked me through the whole thing and told me when to push and how to breathe. According to him did a amazing job…I think I was just lucky. Looking back I would not change a thing.
I really hope I’m this lucky with our new baby. Ryan’s is a amazing step father to Emily and I just know he is going to rock at helping me every step of the way with this new little bump! I’m very excited to start all over again. I’m older now and hopefully wiser…hahaha! Emily’s going to be such a good big sister. I’m very excited."
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us my love. I can't wait to see you guys again! Kisses x
ahhh thanks for sharing my story Tash:)
ReplyDeletexxxx kisses right back at ya