My birth process....some insight

I never really gave a thought to induction when I was pregnant. I mean, I knew about, and I knew it could happen. But when it came to me being 5 days over and having pregnancy rash, I didn't have much choice. I admit that when I saw the Obstetrician, I was the one who suggested it, as the itching was driving me crazy and I thought I'd be scarred for life, plus I thought being pregnant would never end! So it was Tuesday morning, I saw my doctor, she said Ok, come in tonight at 6pm for your induction. I absolutley freaked out as soon as I got outside, Half as I didn't know if I was ready to be a mum (Go figure!!) and half because I was so scared about the whole induction process. Now I was told I was to be induced by a balloon catheter. Well that afternoon I read so much about this form of induction, because I really wanted to know what was going on and I was getting myself in for.

That evening I went in, an hour later I was on the delivery bed with the doctor between my legs. 1 minute later my amniotic sac was broken and liquid was gushing everywhere. What happened is I was already 3 cm dilated and the doctor decided to break my water then and there without letting us know - Well I found out! This was instead of inserting the balloon catheter in my cervix. This whole process really scared me, as I didn't know what was going on and was a little embarressed that liquid was going everywhere!! Plus because the midwife didn't know my waters were going to be broken, I had to get up....while leaking, so she could change the sheets! So then the midwife gave me an IV of Oxytocin to help me along with the contractions. The only problems I had with this is an hour later, out of nowhere the contractions started...very strongy. I didn't get the whole short not too painful contractions, they came in long and tough!!! Although, it did only take me 5 hours of labour to give birth. I did think that I was going to die though!! I decided very early on in my pregnancy that I wouldn't have any drugs, within reason, only gas but if I thought I really needed them I would. So after about 1 hour of painful contractions I decided to give the gas a go. This actually wasn't too bad. It did not take the pain away, but it did make me alot more relaxed during contractions - To the point where I fell asleep between them. Which was really helpful, as the contractions really do suck the energy right out of you. My contractions started at around 9pm and I gave birth at 1.55am the next morning. At around 11pm I heard my husband ask the midwife how long she thought this was going to go on, and she said to at the least 8am. Thats when I went ok, stuff this, give me some morphine. So they had a look and I was only 5 cm dileted, so they gave me an injection in my thigh of morphine, and I'm usually petrified of needles, not anymore!! The morphine didn't do a thing! The contractions where getting to painful to manage, all my muscles where aching and my back felt like an elephant was sitting on it, I just couldn't get comfortable, and on top of that I refused to try anything except letting my sister and my husband massage my back. That did actually help! At around midnight I asked for an epidural, it was just too much to handle. So they got me up to go to the toilet, which is hard while having contractions. About 20 minutes later I got out of the toilet (I kept getting more contracions, so I just sat there, the midwife made me get up!!) And the epidural was ready. So I got on the bed and I had this overwhelming feeling that I had to start pushing. And I remembered someone tell me, If you feel like pushing tell your mdwife because it's probably time. So I let the midwife know, and she had a look, and it was certainly time to push! She was amazed that in 2 hours I dilated 5 cm. I was both happy and upset. Happy that it was nearly over and I didn't need the epidural (I really didn't want one) and upset beacuse I couldn't have my epidural to take the pain away and more pain was imminent!!! So after 55 minutes of pushing, I gave birth to our amazing son Seth, at 9 pounds 13. When he came out it didn't occur to me or my husband to see if it was a boy or a girl, we were just happy he was here. Just after he came out, he peed, and just smiled. I thought something was wrong because he didn't cry, but he was fine! They didn't give him to me straight away because of the morphine I had was quite close to him being born they had to check if everything was ok, and because I had to keep pushing for the placenta to come out. Thats when I heard him cry, and I saw my husband crying, tears of joy! My husband then bought him over for me to hold. He was amazing.

After giving birth I had to lye there for another 2 hours while they stitched me up (He had a head circumfrence of 37cm so tearing was needed!!) and I sucked on the gas during the whole process. In my birth plan I stated that I did not want an episiotomy unless necesary. Then afterwards I had to stay there till 9am, because I was loosing too much blood and they thought they were going to loose me. So on my left was my midwife Daniela (Was amazing, only met here that night but the nicest person I could have asked for) and my newborn son and to my right was my husband sleeping on a mattress on the floor that my midwife had given him. It was an absolutely amazing process. Giving birth really is a beautiful thing. Even though next time I think I might opt for the drugs....we'll see how things pan out! I really just wanted to share my sons birth with everyone. I hope that maybe it gives pregnant mums to be an insight into labour, and mums a reminder of the day that their little ones came into this world. I hope that it doesn't offend anyone or scare anyone. Because I wish that I knew more about the actual birth, I read alot about everything, but the actual labour room was a new and scary place for me, and I just hope that it isn't for other mums to be. Thanx for reading!