Ari's Birth Story

Saturday 15^th March 2008

The in-laws took the kids to a family party in Sydney just in case I went into labour while they were gone for the night, I didn’t really want to go on the day before my EDD, so for the first time in a long time Scott and I had peace and quiet with nothing to do.....fabulous.

We decided in the evening to take the dogs for a walk down the beach so I walked the dogs down while Scott had a swim. It was lovely, water was cool and refreshing and the feeling of the water splashing around my legs was relaxing.

Went to bed a bit late, about 11pm. I felt really good, if a little impatient to get this baby out.

Sunday 16^th March 2008 .... my EDD

5:30am – I woke up needing to go to the bathroom, I had a good nights sleep so was feeling good. Went to the toilet, got back onto bed, started dozing and felt my tummy pop...I thought it was maybe my waters but there was no more fluid after that so in hindsight it may have been bubs doing a big movement and some cervical mucus.

Cleaned toilet, packed bags, folded clothes and many random things, just in case this was IT.

10am – I was having very mild contractions, I figured it was either more braxton hicks or the start of pre-labour. Told Scott we might have this baby tonight or tomorrow.

12mid – I went to bed to get some rest before the kids came home, fell asleep and then was woken shortly after by the kids arriving home. The in-laws brought lunch so I had some lunch and sat around chatting for the next 2 hours.

2pm – I was starting to think that this could be it....I was having contractions that hurt but were not overly painful or regular. In-laws left and the kids went out the back yard to play.

2:30pm –I decided to hop in the bath to see if it stoped the contractions as they were becoming regular and were starting to hurt more now....mostly in my back. The bath didn’t stop the contractions so I started thinking this really is it....

3pm – got kicked out of the bath by Liam who needed to get in as his neck was sore, apparently he slept funny, could of laughed but once out of the bath the contractions ramped up.... YEP THIS IS IT!! I moved to lying on the bed as all of a sudden getting dressed seemed like hard work.

3:20pm - Woke Scott, who had somehow fallen asleep on the lounge, with my moaning, sent him running for a bucket as I had the urge to throw up. He checked on the kids who were still outside playing and Liam in the bath and told them to get ready as they were going to Nan and Pops...then rang them to come.

3:45pm – Father in law arrived to get kids. I think I scared him with my moaning; kids were watching me, now dressed, as I walked around the house moaning and trying to figure out how all of a sudden I was in full blown labour. Nate and Beth kissed me bye, Liam just said bye and off they went.

4pm – Get in car and head for the hospital.....OUCH.....car ride was horrid. I moaned and gripped the seat asking Scott if he could hurry up PLEASE....kept getting small urges to push which freaked me out no end.

4:20pm – Arrived as hospital and tried to work out how I was going to get from the car to the delivery suite. Walked very quickly....all the while in my head staying OH MY GOD, OMG, OMG, OMG.......was concentrating on not moaning like a banshee while in public.... OH MY GOD, OMG, OMG, OMG....

Scott said I will get a wheelchair.....ok.......wheelchair is padlocked......I’ll get the key......STUFF THE WHEELCHAIR I’M NOT WAITING......run for lift......scared people hold door open and tell us which number to press and leave us alone in lift......doors close and contraction hits OH MY GOD, OMG, OMG, OMG........doors open and I burst out doors......get to delivery suite and another contraction hits......MOANING so load now, stuff being polite in “public”.....

Hear a voice and open my eyes to see midwife Caroyln......thankyou god.....did you call ahead?....oops no.....wheelchair comes and pushed me quickly to delivery room...no sorry not that one, I had my other sons in that room, bad memories....am taken down the hall to another room....jump out of chair and lean on bed as another contraction hits.....

Carry on leaning on the bed.....having urge to push but nothing is happening and I feel as though something isn’t right.....pain is still in my back as bub is posterior......I get the gas....its not working...they turn it up....ahhh that’s better.....

Midwife examines me after a few contractions and finds me 9.5cms dilated with just a small cervical lip but bub is nowhere to be seen, he is floating high and my waters are bulging through the cervix.....cannula is put in to give antibiotics for Group B Strep...

All fours position is assumed to try and turn bub around......I carry on.....tell Scott he is having the snip....ask them to pull the bloody baby out......demand all types of drugs.....

The urge to push still there and eventually my waters break with a HUGE noise and gush everywhere, baby stays happy despite being so high which indicated the cord has not prolapsed (thank goodness)......

I say that I must lie down and Carolyn convinces me to try another position first so I turn around and squat on the bed........after a few contractions I could feel Ari’s head moving down the birth canal..... Scott is gloved up and ready to assist...........

I close my eyes....

I feel the burning and the midwifes fingers trying to ease the head and help me stretch.....OH MY GOD it hurt.....I ROAR as his head comes out.......and then go quiet.......I hear Scott comment on how warm his head is as he supports it (with the midwifes hands over his), I would of laughed but well you know, lol....eyes still closed I am quiet, so quiet, scared as I know the shoulders are next........Carolyn is talking to Scott, I hear her say “its amazing isn’t it”...deep breath....more ROARING as I feel his shoulders stretch me open, the midwife is telling Scott to hook his finger under bubs armpit......one last roar and he is out...thank Christ...

I opened my eyes...........

My “little man” laying between my legs........perfect.......

I did it!!

I cut the cord myself.....

His first breastfeed was wonderful, I literally riped my top off and he almost crawled up my chest in his eagerness.......

9lb (4040g)......52.5cms long......36cm head

5:37pm – Ari James came into this world, with a little gas and a lot of roaring...I had some grazing but never felt it.....

The placenta didn’t want to come away.....an hour later, after a catheter, drip and lots of pushing it came.....I made Scott take a photo of the offending placenta but wont put that here as some people might find it a bit full on. Scott does , lol.....

My thoughts on my 4th and final birth..........

AMAZING!

We had an amazing midwife who made our experience even more beautiful with her words and encouragement. That Scott was encouraged to help me bring Ari into this world and that we were helped rather then directed was empowering and so special.