07-07-2016
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| <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 |
This is my longest blog post so
far; so feel free to grab a snack or a cup of tea to help you get through haha… :)
I’ve been asked recently if I’d consider doing a post talking
about my ‘birth story’ and all the events surrounding what happened during my
birth/delivery – as the main purpose of my blog is for me to look back on like
I’ve mentioned previously on here like an online diary or journal I wanted to
go as in depth as I could; allowing me to look back at the post in the future.
I’ve been thinking about how
to write this post, trying to remember everything in detail…ironically its actually been quite difficult to
remember all that took place (probably due to all the medicine I was on haha)
but I’ll go into as much detail as I can – with the help of Zachary and my mum.
15th June 2016 – 36
weeks:
I remember waking up thinking
that this was the day I was to find out exactly what my birth plan was and
finally setting it into place, of course I know these things can change!
Throughout my pregnancy I was under the monitoring of a consultant and midwife;
this was due to my pregnancy being considered ‘high risk’ due to having an
underlining medical condition. On this day I was booked in to have a scan in
the morning to check our baby’s position followed by an appointment that
afternoon with my consultant to set into place my delivery plan.
Since 28 weeks our baby was in
the breech position, although we had been told several times by my midwife that
she was head down – I guess they cant always be right! Haha. Either way, this
was the main reason that I had a scan, to see if baby had moved into the
correct position.
I remember sitting in the
hospital with my mum waiting to be called into have my scan; talking to my mum
about how the midwives I had seen previously said that baby was head down and
2/5ths engaged; so as you can imagine after seeing several midwives and them
all saying the same, I was convinced that our baby was head down – and boy
those midwifes were wrong because the scan revealed that baby was still in the
breech position; after finding this out I rang my partner (he was at work) to
tell him how wrong the midwives were and that she was still breech!
After my scan I already knew
what my birth plan would be – a Caesarean section as it had been discussed at
prior appointments. That afternoon I turned up at the hospital for my
consultant appointment were we discussed and put into place my birth plan;
talking about what my method of caesarean would be; my decision was to have a
spinal block so that I could be awake during the procedure, this is safer for
both myself and the baby which is why I made this decision – also because I
wanted to be able to see our baby straight away.
I was scheduled in for a
Caesarean section on the 07-07-2016.
7th July 2016 – 39
weeks 1 day – 06:00am:
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| My 39 week 1 day belly, excuse the stretch marks - everyone is worth it! |
Waking up at the crack of dawn
filled with a mixture of emotions, a little nervous but this was over powered
with excitement, this was the day myself and Zachary were going to be meeting
our baby! I remember sitting on our sofa with a pint of water (that’s all I was
aloud) thinking that in a few hours time we would be holding our baby in our
arms, those 9 months we had been waiting would finally be over; and we
would be able to kiss and cuddle our beautiful baby.
06:45 am:
Zachary was loading the car
seat, my hospital bag and baby’s hospital bag into the car; before we set of to
my parents house, we walked in and sat down, had a chat with my sister, mum and
dad for around 15 minutes before leaving with my mum and heading to the
hospital. The drive to the hospital felt like the longest drive ever, even
though it only took around 20 minutes it felt like hours.
07:30 am:
We finally arrived at the
hospital and headed to ‘Folkestone ward’ – this is the ward that c-section
mummy’s and mummy’s that have already given birth are taken to once they have
been transported from the labour ward. However once we had arrived at the ward
we were told that there were no beds due to a sudden surge of mummy’s going
into labour, and that I would have to be admitted to the labour ward which
wasn’t part of the plan – now if you know me you’ll know just how much I love
to be organised; so to say the least I was a little bit flustered with having
to move wards haha!
08:00 am:
This was when everything
started to ‘kick off’ I guess you
could say…we were taken to our
room to settle in I sat on the bed with my mum and Zachary sat in the armchair,
within about 3 minutes of entering the room and placing our bags down my
midwife came in to do my OBs taking my blood pressure, pulse, temperature and
placing my wrist bands on (this made it feel 10x more real – if you get what I
mean). As I was the first on the list to go down to theatre I had a visit from
the anaesthetist who explained to me the whole process of having a spinal block
and what would happen once going into theatre, I guess easing my mind a little
as I now knew what to expect.
08:30 am:
Around this time my midwife
came back into the room preparing both myself and Zachary for theatre – giving
me that rather dashing gown that displays your bottom to the world – which my
mum had to help me put on, I have no idea why they make them so complicated
covered in poppers haha, accompanied by some very attractive stockings that
reveal your toes (such a glamorous outfit) Zachary on the other hand was also
matching my fabulous look dressed in scrubs with what appeared to be hair nets
on he’s shoes.
08:45 am:
After preparing ourselves for
theatre the consultant who would be carrying out my caesarean arrived with a
portable ultrasound machine to do a final scan – this was to check whether or
not baby was still in the breech position as there is always a possibility that
baby can spin at the last moment so they like to double check. Once the scan
had finished and they clarified baby's position, the consultant hurried of to prepare herself for surgery.
09:15 am:
I was sat talking to mum and
Zachary for what felt like hours, I believe that my mum knew just how nervous myself
and Zachary were and kept conversation flowing to keep us occupied – I don’t
personally deal very well with nerves haha!
The support was amazing from
both my mum and Zachary and I couldn’t be more grateful!
Around this time 2 members of
the theatre team came to collect us to take us down to theatre – it was finally
time to meet our baby!!
I gave my mum a hug and said
goodbye and that I’d see her in a little while (your only aloud one person in
theatre).
“The next time I see you mum I’ll have my baby”.
At this point I broke down into
tears, I was filled with so many emotions, scared about surgery, nervous about
what would happen, excited about finally meeting our baby… my mum walked with Zachary and I and all the midwives
to the theatre doors before giving me a kiss and cuddle.
“You’ll be fine just think you’re meeting your baby in a minute’.
At this point myself and
Zachary were led into theatre; big white double doors closing behind us, all of
the theatre team were waiting for us, it was a little intimidating being
completely truthful. As soon as we entered I was taken, placed on the bed and
the preperation started – one of the anaesthetists came over and placed a cannula
(injection into a vein) into my hand, there was a midwife on the other side
placing blood pressure cuffs and other monitoring devices on me. Another anaesthetist
was behind me preparing my back for the spinal block.
They sprayed an antiseptic
spray on my back – it was bloody freezing!! Then started the spinal; firstly
they injected my back with a numbing injection, the only way I can explain
how it felt, is like a severe bee sting, so not to bad but not at all pleasant
haha! Once the numbing injection had set in they began to do the spinal block –
the strangest feeling I have ever had haha, your bum suddenly feels very hot,
and your legs very heavy. Once this had taken place I layed down onto the bed,
the theatre team had to help me to lie down, as I couldn’t physically lift my
legs. After lying down they inserted a catheter due to being unable to feel
below your chest – glamorous right..? It is such a strange feeling having a
spinal block, you can feel everything, so when someone touches you, you can
feel it – you can feel the pressure but feel no pain or sensation odd isn’t it?
Within minutes they were
spraying me with cold spray up my sides analysing whether or not the spinal was
working; which wasn’t very pleasant – I was tilted several different ways on
the bed due to the medicine/numbness working mainly on one side; whilst this
was happening they were placing up sheets to prevent myself or Zachary from
being able to see any of the procedure. Finally when my body had gone numb from
the chest down surgery began; during surgery I was having constant doses of
anti sickness medication and diamorphine – so from here on out
I can only remember certain things that happened; i think its because of the medicine, so I’ve had to recruit
Zachary and my mum to help me out a little.
During the procedure the
surgeons, midwifes and anaesthetists were talking to us, telling us exactly
what was happening; at one point I questioned the anaesthetists on whether the
surgery had started:
“Have they started yet?’
“Yes, they are already inside your stomach.”
“Are they? No there not, I can’t feel it… they cant be!”
It took 2 anaesthetists to
convince me that they had actually started the procedure haha.
The consultant who was
carrying out the procedure told us that my waters had been broken and that our
baby would be here within minutes, after a lot of tugging, pulling and lots of
pressure she lifted our baby girl over the sheets to show us her before she was
taken by the midwives to be cleaned up – I burst into tears I couldn’t believe
just how beautiful she is, how perfect she looked and she was finally here.
Evangeline Rose Holmes
Delivered at - 09:47 am
07-07-2016:
Weighing - 6lbs 11oz.
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| she's so perfect! |
A few minutes later she was bought over and placed onto my chest to allow me to do skin to skin, I spent the whole time staring at her – and kept repeating to Zachary: “she’s beautiful, she’s so perfect, I cant believe she’s finally here!”
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| the first time I held her (I look awful!). |
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| she's so beautiful. |
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| <3 <3 <3 |
09:55 am:
Around this time my midwife
took Evangeline from my chest, wrapped her up in the hospital blanket, placed
her into her cot; before leaving the room and heading to recovery with Zachary;
where he had he’s first cuddle with her.
I was moved from the theatre
table and onto one of the hospital beds – which was 10x more comfy and much,
much softer! Before being moved into recovery were I was reunited with
Evangeline, Zachary and my mum.
Evangeline was weighed,
measured and the midwives carried out routine checks, ensuring she was in
tip-top health; they also gave her the vitamin K injection. Once they had
finished my mum was able to give her a cuddle, before she was placed back onto
my chest to continue skin to skin – we were in recovery for around 30 minutes
before being taken into the labour ward were we would stay before a bed became
available.
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| Daddy's first cuddle! <3 |
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| Evangeline with my mum. <3 |
10:40 am:
After a little while in our
room, my mum left leaving myself and Zachary to be with Evangeline – my mums
support to myself and Zachary was amazing and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Throughout the day midwives
kept returning to our room checking to see that both Evangeline, Zachary and myself were
doing well, and popping in to give me regular doses of diamorphine – which let
me tell you was awful, it made me extremely drowsy, very nauseous and just in
general it made me feel like utter crap!! Although in saying that it was
spectacular for the pain!
12:00 am:
I was bought lunch, jacket
potato and beans – with jam roly-poly for pudding. To be honest I didn’t eat
much of it due to feeling sick from the medicine, but it did smell nice haha.
16:00 pm:
As we were still waiting to be
moved onto the correct ward the midwives very kindly allowed us to have
visitors come to our room – as visitors are not permitted on the labour ward.
My sister and dad were our
first visitors; they arrived at the hospital followed by balloons that red
‘congratulations on your baby girl’, several cards, many congratulations and a
pink teddy for Evangeline, and I guess the presents were for Zachary and I too
haha.
After many kisses and cuddles
they left the hospital and headed home; before long around 30 minutes later we
were greeted by some of Zachary’s family members, he’s mum, dad and brother who
also arrived with cards, clothing and teddies – several hugs and kisses later
they also left the hospital.
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| My dad and Evangeline - he had just finished work, hence the shirt haha! <3 |
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| My sister and Evangeline! <3 |
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| Zachary's mum and Evangeline! :) |
20:00 pm:
We were finally moved onto the
correct ward as a bay/bed had become available, after settling into the ward we
could finally relax. I remembering hearing all the other mummy’s with their
babies and partners - it was such an amazing atmosphere.
22:00 pm:
After hours of giving Evangeline hugs and kisses
we tucked her up into her cot, using the blanket that my mum had very
kindly made for her; before settling down ourselves.
Luckily at our hospital
partners are aloud to stay, so Zachary was able to help me throughout the night…honestly I have no idea how I would’ve done it without
him – I was still unable to move my lower half, and still in quite a lot of
pain so getting up to tend to Evangeline would’ve been impossible without
Zachary. (The midwives were run of their feet so couldn’t help).
I couldn’t sleep – I didn’t
want to sleep I spent the whole night staring into her cot at our beautiful baby girl
thinking ‘how on earth have Zachary and I
made someone so perfect, so beautiful’.
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| <3 <3 <3<3 <3 <3<3 <3 <3 |
08:00 am:
I was finally able to move my
lower half and had regained all feeling; so after hours of being bed bound I
was up and wondering about the ward– of course with a little bit of assistance
and support from Zachary and the midwives because not going to lie my tummy was
extremely painful haha!
12:00 pm:
I was finally aloud to have a
shower (you have to mobile for a few hours) so a midwife very kindly looked
after Evangeline in their office for around 30 minutes whilst Zachary helped me in the shower, as
I was unable to do a great deal, for example bend over to pull up my pyjama
bottoms or knickers haha…I relied on him in
practically everyway – he was so amazing, so kind, patient, calm and understanding and I couldn’t
be luckier! <3
20:00 pm:
I packed our bags with the assistance
of Zachary, we dressed Evangeline in a pink stripy dress with matching leggings
that we had bought from ‘mamas&papas’, before putting her into her car
seat. Although it was late we were finally discharged and allowed to head home
to start our life as a family of 3. <3
