Ethan's Birth
2012
First baby
Lived in: Kaeo, Far North
WHERE WAS YOUR PLANNED PLACE OF BIRTH?
Whangarei Hospital
WHERE WAS YOUR ACTUAL PLACE OF BIRTH?
Whangarei Hospital
ETHAN'S BIRTH
The first 3 months of pregnancy were the worst, I felt tired and ill all the time, but never actually sick. I felt useless not being able to do normal day to day things. Thankfully it passed pretty much at 12 weeks on the dot. The next 4 months were relatively care free, I was healthy and had no problems. The last few weeks I felt swollen, heavy and tired again.
Checkup and induction
I was sent to Whangarei for a check up as I had a high blood pressure and protein in my urine. They kept me in for observation overnight, and in the morning decided to keep me in for and induction the following morning.
7pm
I was given the gel for inducing labour at 7pm that night, but in the morning had only dilated to 1cm. They gave the gel again at about 8am. By 9am I was having contractions, however being a first timer I was not aware that this was labour pains, I thought it was just the gel working.
The contractions did feel like really bad period pains along with a very strong feeling of pressure in the vagina. My waters broke at 11.30am and had meconium in them, so i was attached to the monitor for the best part of my labour. I did not want to be lying down and felt more comfortable standing up, due to that pressure I was feeling. They felt like a rolling pain that gradually worked up and then diminished again, I felt like I would have two very quickly then a few mins to re-coup before another would come.
3pm
I was moved to a larger birthing room, and at 3pm when I was 7cm I had an epidural, all pain was gone then and now my contractions felt similar to the baby moving in my belly, my legs were a dead weight, and I was not longer allowed to eat or drink. But was relieved no more pain.
I was already in hospital when labour started and was kind of relieved as I don’t know how I would have manged an hour and half trip in the car having contractions.
Birth
I had a pain free vaginal birth, with no stitches. I had a drip just for fluid, and the epidural.
I started pushing at 8pm and had given birth by 9.15pm, I remember being told to relax when I pushed, and thought this was strange as I had no feeling how could I not be relaxed, but I was clenching my buttox together when I pushed, when I realised this and relaxed, it was all over and done in a couple more pushes.
I had requested an Epidual in my birthplan.
I had only my partner and the midwife on duty for my support. After the baby was born some specialists were waiting in the room to check him to make sure he had not inhaled any of the meconium.
The Baby was in the correct birthing position.
Things you would do the same?
I am glad I had the epidural, as I was a bit apprehensive about giving birth, and I was quite surprised how well it all went in the end.
Things you would do differently?
I wouldn’t change anything about my birth.
What advice would you reccommend to other Northland mums / families?
Do what ever works best for you.
