Max Samuel arrived on Tuesday 15th Julyat 23:05 by emergency c-section, weighing 7lb.
I went in on Monday morning for induction at 39 + 6. Examination determined I wasn't dilated at all so had pessary and was sent down to the ward. Tightenings started a few hours later and were quite regular but then slowed down overnight. After 24 hours I had dilated to 2cm so they decided to break my waters. Contractions then came thick and fast so I was taken to delivery room after an hour so I could have pain relief. Gas and air wasn't enough though so after 2hrs I had an epidural. Afterwards Max's heart rate kept dipping to 60 bpm following a contraction so had to have blood samples from his head to determine his oxygen levels. All came back ok and his heart rate stabilised. Unfortunately the epidural only worked to about 40% efficiency so after about 4 hours of still having to use gas and air I had it re-sited. Once again Max's heart rate kept dipping. It was very scary and I thought we were going to lose him so understandibly I started panicking. I was examined and I hadn't progressed in the past 3 hrs. The doctors were concerned both about Max and me so decided they had to get him out. So off I was taken to theatre and given a spinal block but once again, like the epidural it didn't work properly and I still had feeling in my abdomen so I ended up having tohave a general anesthetic.I therefore missed out on immediately seeing Max and sharing that precious moment with DH, something I really wanted after losing Samuel. But at the end of the day having Max delivered safely was the priority. The reason his heart rate kept dropping was his cord was wrapped around his neck.
So all in all it was rather a traumatic experience for all three of us but I am so happy that we have finally got our take home baby. I still cannot believe it.
