Birth story

Well, Abigail finally arrived 13 days overdue. I had 2 membrane sweeps and tried every natural induction method I read but finally was given an induction date which should have been a welcome relief but instead I felt sad that my baby had to be evicted rather than choosing her birthday. I went to the hospital at 6.00pm with my husband and was hooked up to all the monitors for an hour or so. At one point her heart rate kept dipping during a contraction (apparantly I was having regular ones before I was even induced) but as it only happened twice in an hour they were happy to continue with my induction. I was given a prostin pill and another sweep and found out that over the past 2 days there had been quite a bit of progress so I was left to see what would happen and stupidly suggested my husband go home for the night so he can be more helpful in the morning. About 2 hours after he left the pain was getting hard to ignore and I was all alone in an empty room so I buzzed the nurse and asked for some painkillers. she brought some along with a birthing ball which I sat on crying for the next few hours. At 1.00am I asked the nurse to get my husband and she said its not visiting hours and I can have a bath instead which helped a tiny bit. I didnt sleep all night, couldnt even lie down so spent the next few hours leaning against the windowsill and the bed. At 6.00am they finally called my husband back in and the midwife broke my waters to get things moving quicker. Within an hour I was in the Labour ward and on the gas and air. It is not half as fun as my mum made it out to be. I felt really strange on it like I was drunk and had no control so kept sending it away and then asking for it again as I got another contraction so it must have done some good. I spent an hour in the birthing poolwhich was nice but at the same time I didnt feel comfortable enough to want to stay in there. I can remember going from one room to another and with each contraction felt my knees buckle and my toes curling. The only thing that was really working for me was deep breathing but it was so draining. I finally buckled and asked for something stronger and was given pethadine which I really didnt want but felt like I was going to be in Labour forever and was getting really tired. About an hour later I suddenly felt like I needed to push so kneeled on the bed and got to work. After 20 minutes of pushing My baby girl came out weighing 9lb 8 1/2 oz!!! I had 2nd degree tears and lacerations cause she was so big, I dont know why? At first I didnt want to turn round and my husband cut the cord and told me it was a girl! I was so happy cause I was convinced I was going to have a boy but secretly we both wanted a girl. I cant believe I actually gave birth to her. It is such a liberating feeling and even though she wants to feed all the time, my boobs hurt, I havent slept properly for over a week and am too scared to take her out I am so happy and cant wait to see her first smile.

I didnt plan this pregnancy, in fact I was completely against the idea until me and my husband had bought our first home and are financially stable. I also have 9 nieces and nephews which is great fun but the best part was always giving them back at the end of the day.

We finally decided to go through with this when I realized that if we didnt keep it and one day we decide we do want children it might just not work out so Im accepting that things dont always happen in the order you expect them and to take the motherhood plunge.

Ive been with my husband for 10 years since I was 16 and he is my best friend, We are going to do our best to be good parents. I havent really told anyone yet cause it feels weird hearing myself say it and Im not ready for all the questions. We told our families who are over the moon and slightly embarassing. My family all thought I had a disease and his thought he was shooting blanks!!! Its seems to be unusual in my family to get your life sorted out and then have children when your ready.

2007-04-13

I think Im nearly 12 weeks. My scans on monday so then Ill know for sure. Today was the first day in a long time I felt good. Morning sickness absolutely crippled me! I even managed to sit on the beach for a while earlier. I thought about going back to work but my situation is tricky. I left my job a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant to do a nine month course training as an outdoor pursuits leader working with kids but I had to leave when I found out cause I cant see myself abseiling and rock climbing in 6 months time. Im sure the rope will snap. I still did a few shifts at my old job where I was a signmaker but even thats abit risky as I work with chemicals and around industrial printers. There is no way my plank of a boss would take me back full time cause then he would have to pay me maternity leave so it looks like I now have alot of free time on my hands. My husband is a very talented artist and even though work is patchy for him Im sure it will all work out for us in the end.

Pregnancy Survey


About You
Name?: karyn
Age?: 27
Height?: 5'7"
Pre-pregnancy weight?: 91/2 stone

About The Father
Name?: dan
Age?: 36
Height?: 6'2"
Are you still together?: yes

About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy?: yes
When did you find out you were pregnant?: at 5 weeks
Was it planned?: not at all
What was your first reaction?: I was scared and cried
Who was with you when you found out?: on my own
Who was the first person you told?: my husband
How did your parents react?: tears of joy! how embarassing!
How far along are you?: 37 weeks
What was your first symptom?: missed period
What is your due date?: 30th October
Do you know the sex of the baby?: no
If so, what is it?:
Have you picked out names?: yes
If so, what are they?: abigail for girl and charlie for boy (maybe)
How much weight have you gained?: i dont want to know
Do you have stretch marks?: no
Have you felt the baby move?: all the time
Have you heard the heartbeat?: yes

About the birth
Will you keep the baby?: of course
Home or hospital birth?: hospital
Natural or medicated birth?: as natural as possible
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: my husband
Will you breastfeed?: i will try, its cheaper
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: Not if I can help it
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: I dont know
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: hello monster!
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: no!!!!
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: excited

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2007-04-16

Had our first scan today! I was really suprised of how clear it looked. he/she even waved at us! The length was only about 4cm which has us back at 11 weeks and not 12. I dont mind too much, felt abit funny about having a Haloween baby anyway.

Im starting to get my energy back too and only really feel queasy in the evenings which isn't so bad. Im not looking forward to the fat bit at all!

We're moving out of our flat in june and upgrading to a nicer one hopefully. Its all a little scary cause my husbands contract runs out that month too so neither of will be working. I think things are going to be very tough for us financially but you never know whats around the corner.

2007-05-23

Havent written much for a while.

Well, everything seems to be going well. Have had all my blood tests and heard the heart beat on Monday which was a nice suprise. Im still struggling to get used to the idea of gaining weight. I spent quite a few years training and competing in dance so Ive always been very consious of gaining weight and have never really had much of a stomach so I do find myself sucking my belly in at times and lately my clothes have been getting quite tight. Im glad Ive made it to 17 weeks without needing maternity clothes but know the time is near.

Ive been suffering a lot of sinus headaches and always feel dehydrated. I found out on Monday that Im borderline Anemic which is a bit of a relief cause I thought I was just being lazy. Ive been eating more spinach, red meats and cherries and also my prenatal vitamins contain my RDA of iron but apparently its not enough so I need to try harder.

Im back at work 3 days a week which I suppose I should be grateful about but as I work with mostly men who are not very aware of what Im going through I am exhausted after a days work. I do work with one girl however who is very nice but has quite an unhealthy attitude to pregnancy. She believes women should not show their bumps and wear baggy clothes for 9 months as it is repulsive to look at. She suggested I wear my husbands t-shirts from now on, He wears XXL and I dont really need to be made to feel any worse about gaining weight as I already do let alone start dressing like Im ashamed of myself.

My next scan is on the 26th june, 4 days before my 27th birthday. Im looking forward to it and am now really glad we made the decision to go through all this after all

2007-06-18

Im 21 weeks tomorrow and get my next scan in 8 days time. We decided not to find out the sex and just wait and see. Im sure its either a boy or girl so I shouldnt be too suprised when I find out. I have been feeling movement lately. Im not sure what all this butterfly feeling was all about. It felt more like a heavy marble rolling around and every now and then I feel a little poke. I want my husband to feel it but he's not very patient and doesnt concentrate so he's just going to have to wait another month till its bigger.
We're moving flat on Saturday. Its still a small place but as Brighton's so expensive we had to choose between large and dirty or small and clean. We have a nice garden and a washing machine so its definately an upgrade from this stinky shoe box.
My stomachs getting bigger which is something I still struggle with. I suppose it helps me eat healthy being aware of all this weight gain but I cant help associating a big gut with being out of shape. Ive also noticed my belly button stretching slightly which was quite freaky

2007-08-04

Havent written on here for ages. Things are going well healthwise.. Im actually getting quite excited now and looking forward to meeting him/her. I feel and see kicks all the time. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable but if Im having a bad day or im bored its really comforting.
Ive just had a horrible few days at work. One young idiot is making it his job to make my last month or so at work a complete misery. He seems to do everything he can to make me uncomfortable or angry. I usually prefer to fight my own battles and not make complaints, especially in a sexist male dominated environment like where I work but its now getting to a point where its going to start affecting my health and it either needs to change or Im off. Unfortunately he is just the cherry on top of the worst environment you could be in when your pregnant and deep down I know i should just leave. I am stubborn though and refuse to be pushed out until Im ready and there are a few things I need to buy before I become financially dependant on my husband.
Apart from that its all been an interesting and emotional rollercoaster up to now. My husband makes me feel like a queen and I do like the fuss my mum makes too. Even though she has 9 grandchildren already she is so excited for us. We've been shopping but im trying not to go crazy with it. There are only so many yellow and white babygrows you need. I will put my out of date 22 week scan up soon and if Im really brave maybe even a belly photo.
This is me at 26 weeks.

Not long left to go now. Im 37 weeks tomorrow and looking forward to seeing my feet again (of course Im also looking forward to seeing what little monster has been sticking his/her feet out of my side for what feels like forever). I think we are very nearly ready for this to happen and Im trying to prepare myself mentally for a good labour I hope. My mum had 6 children with just gas and air and said even throughout the pain it can be an enjoyable experience. That is what Im aiming for. All I want is for my husband to be there to rub my back if I need it. We went on a tour of the hospital the other week. It is so hot in that ward and it seemed silly to have so many women right near the end of their pregnancy standing around in a hot room for an hour. Everyone looked like they were going to faint and one couple brought their son who insisted on talking over the top of the nurse the whole time which made it just that little bit more stressful. Luckily there was no one there in labour cause if I heard someone screaming their lungs off on top of all that I would have run a mile. I bought a baby sling yesterday which consists of miles and miles of fabric and a little booklet telling you how to tie it all up. I think its amazing, my mum and dad think its a health hazard. Thing is in lots of countries that dont have Mothercare and babies r us that is the only option and it looks so sweet seeing little babys in pouches fast asleep and I dont want to be one of those girls trying to cram their pram onto the bus with 10 other mums, 4 wheelchairs and every old person in Brighton. I dont even get a seat on the bus now and Im too shy to shout out "Im pregnant!!" so I just cling to the bars and take deep breaths.

Im on Iron tablets as of last week and its great to have some of my energy back. I couldnt walk for 10 minutes before without getting faint and really hot so now Im rushing around doing all those little things I couldnt quite do before. Im getting my hair done next week and after that im relaxing until that day arrives under the advice of my family, midwife and everyone else that been through it themselves.

This is my 35 week belly

2007-10-15

Time is starting to fly by now and Ive been getting a bit nervous going out on my own. Im feeling quite a bit of pressure in my pelvis and when I walk it feels like mild period pains. Sleepings been getting tricky too. Im up and down all night needing the loo or suffering heartburn and my husband snores so when Im comfortable and finally ready to sleep he starts his ritual. I gave up this morning and went and slept on the sofa at 5am, mainly because I know I can catch up on my sleep in the day but he has to go to work. He came in the room this morning all confused and worried cause I was draped over a chair fast asleep and not in bed. Today he is going to buy me some ear plugs in his lunch break.

I never did get that nesting instinct. Im sure its because of the anemia which has improved a lot since taking these tablets. Monster in my belly is still very active. As he/she gets bigger the movements are so much more forceful especially the feet stretching. Im so suprised that I havent got any stretchmarks (yet!). Ive been applying cream religiously for the past 6 months and have tried to not go crazy with the junk food. I have had a few too many strawberry milk drinks and at times crisps but never a constant craving. Well, back to resting and waiting!

2007-10-19

I got the nesting instinct!!! Yesterday I cleaned out all the cupboards,cleaned out the fridge and washed the floors. I also have an obsession with doing ALL the laundry instead of letting it pile up. I havent had anything major happen inside. I was suprised last night when mr/misses foot decided to stick out my left side. It has always been on the right and Im getting less kicks in my ribs and more underneath so its definately dropped. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and everything seems to be going well. The head is 3/5ths engaged and Im still getting that pressure feeling on my bladder and cervix.

My husband is very jumpy lately. He checks up on me all the time and if I move at night he's right there with big eyes asking me whats wrong!!! Oh and every drop of water on the floor leads to an interrogation. "was that you?" "are you sure?" He's going to wear himself out.

2007-10-25

Well, now Im getting bored. Ive decided to add a week onto my due date so i dont sit around expecting something to happen every five minutes but I still am. I havent noticed anything other than a dull ache in my lower stomach which Ive had all week. Ive been drinking so much rasberry leaf tea and am now going to go and bounce up and down on my birth ball for half an hour. I sort of want to get things moving but at the same time Im not sure if Im quite ready.

The other day I was in town and I saw about 5 women who looked like they were about to drop and I started worrying about whether there will be enough room for me in the hospital. It seems like January is a very popular time to conceive. Our excuse is that after moving back to the UK we had to sleep on the floor for about six months cause we didnt have a bed so when we did get one in the new year we got over excited and now our lives have changed forever.

Hopefully this time next week I will have something more interesting to write about.....

2007-10-26

I saw my midwife today and we talked about inducing my labor if nothing has happened by next Friday. I really want everything to happen naturally but at the same time dont want to wait for an oversized baby to come out. I still have aches in my stomach and the odd braxton hicks but nothing major. We are going to have a go at some DIY inducing this weekend as suggested by my midwife but tonight im just going to forget about everything and go to the cinema with my husband. Apparantly being in the wrong place can start labor off so it might be an interesting night. Im not getting my hopes up though. I feel quite crabby and crampy at the moment. I was happy to wait until my due date before I start getting impatient but now everyone elses impatience seems to have rubbed off on to me and the talk about inductions has left me a little anxious too.

2007-10-29

Nothing!, not even a niggle. Well at least I can safely say this is not going to a halloween baby. It would be great to have it on bonfire night but knowing how my husband is with his fireworks displays he will spend more time at the window in hospital watching the display than helping me. I can almost guarantee that as we'll be on the 14th floor overlooking the pier where it all goes on. This baby has the biggest feet and longest legs in the universe. When he/she sticks one out its like the size of a walnut and its happening all the time. Ive noticed how responsive he/she is lately too. If I tap on my belly a foot appears. Its such a good party trick!

After doing some reading I decided that if I get anxious and impatient it will delay things even more so Im just trying to keep busy and enjoy the time me and Dan have together as a couple. Sometimes Im not sure if Im ready to share him with anyone else, he makes me so happy. The next 2 years are going to be a test for us too cause he is illustrating a graphic novel that will take up all his free time and as he has Carpel tunnel syndrome in his drawing hand so it will be a stressful and painful experience. That alomg with being a new dad is going to be a huge juggling act.

2007-10-30 Due date!

Well today is my due date and.....nothing! I had quite bad cramps like trapped wind last night which kept my awake and in pain for a few hours. That along with a huge domestic argument going on next door. Would have been interesting but they were speaking a different language so I just had to make do with guessing what it was all about. I cooked for 4 hours non stop yesterday making things that we could freeze. Today I had an hour of "cleaning panic" and was so convinced I would be in labour afterwards I even shaved my legs for the occasion but once again its all gone now and I just feel like a beached whale again. I am sure that I will have this baby on bonfire night now so from this point on I am officially changing my due date to the 5th . Horray! only 6 more days to go! How time flies!!!

2007-10-31 Due date +1

Still here and still waiting. It seems everyone is having their babys like popcorn and Im sat here wondering if perhaps there was a big mistake and Im not really pregnanty it was just trapped wind all along. I kept telling myself I will probably go over my due date but feel so much pressure from family and friends to have it now. My midwife was disappointed to see me last Friday and said she really hopes to not see me this week (does she hate me?) but I have a feeling I'll be sat there in the waiting room, a failed vessel needing help in 2 days time! I have had leg ache and groin pain today, nothing remarkable about that... and thats about it when it comes to any signs of labor.

I made some sandwiches and met my husband in the park during his lunch break today which was lovely. He's been so sweet and caring and a really good distraction. When Im with him I almost forget Im pregnant and time flies. Its amazing that Ive been with him over 10 years and Im still like a giddy school girl with a crush.

Ive now had enough of cleaning the house, Im sick of TV, I tried to knit a baby hat and me and the wool had a big falling out so Im not doing that anymore for a while.Ive played 500 games of solitaire, done all the laundry, sat in the bath every day till Im a shrivelled prune, memorised my pregnancy books, bounced up and down on my birthing ball till I feel sick and cooked every meal I know how to make....lets see what tomorrow has in store for me!