The Birth: Isobel and Sam

Below is a transcript from the Midwife Angela... My comments are in blue...

20 Jan Isobel is experiencing some pains and is not sleeping well. I decided to stay home today thinking that things might be happening.

21 Jan

1000: went for coffee at Hydro, Isobel is a bit tired and still experiencing some pains.

1300 Met at midewife clinic. Had VE excellent soft with nobbly OS (previous cryo).

1700: Jess comes over for a visit, I then go for a run...

1800: Isobel is not feeling too well when I get back from run. Feel very guilty for going.

1830: Grab a quick bit (something from the freezer). Isobel is on tge bed in quite some pain.

1900: Starting to have some pains that are more regular. We try going for a walk. Feels a bit better and less pain.

2000: Isobel is getting stronger pains. I try to get her to drink but she is not feeling very well at all. She is sick.

2030: Isobel is sick again and I decide that we should call Angela.

2045: drive to the River Ridge East Birthing Centre and head into a unit.

2055: Admitted to River Ridge East Birthing Centre with history of very long latent phase for over 24 hours. Pains every 4 minutes lasting 45 seconds. 1 cm dilated on admission. No change [since this afternoon].

2105: 50mg pethidine IV and maxalon 10mg.

2115: Settled and relaxed. Left to sleep. Fetal HR 130-146.

2330: Isobel rang bell, passed large blood clot in toilet. Contractions have decreased and Isobel has managed to have some sleep. VE CX remains posterior, 2cm dilated. Large amount of blood clot post exam. From CX? Will try getting into the pool. Fetal HR 132-150.

2345: Into pool. Much more relaxed. Coping well in water with contractions every 5-7 mins. 1 litre of IV hartmans. Fetal HR 140

22 Jan

0100: pethidine 50mg via IV. Settled to sleep again. FH 132-136.

0215: Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes. Clear blood stained liquid draining. VE 5 cm dilated. settled back to sleep again.

0415: Gas, commenced contracting regularly and lasting longer. FH 140-150

0430: Using gas well. FH 120-126

0530: Isobel request VE. FH 118-122 No change from before. 5 cm dilated. 2nd litre of IV commenced.

0630: FH 122-128

0730: Into pool and using gas. FH 120-132

0830: Urge to push. Good red show.

0900: Sat on toilet to encourage effective pushing. Contracting 1:5.

Angela took the gas away from Iz. I checked the read out. She had just used i/3 of a tank!!!

1000: Progressing steadily. Now out of pool on bed. FH 126. In semi reclined.

1015: FH 150-156 Isobel now on all fours. Ineffective pushing.

1020: Now on birthing stool on bed. much better pushing and encouragement.

1030: FH 150 and 110 in contraction.

1045: Now pushing well and effectively. FH 150 between contractions.

1137: Baby born in good condition -> skin to sin. Oxytocin 10 units. No mucking about, she was moved directly onto Iz's chest and wiped a bit. For some reason I thought that she might have been taken away for a quick wash or something... I watched as Sam took her first breath and a small cry. Angela clamped the cord then handed me the scissors and I then cut the cord! It is quite thick and took quite a bit of effort! Then the blood splattered everywhere!

1142: Placenta and membranes. Baby weight 2.49Km 2nd degree tear sutured in two layers. Interrupted sutures as very jagged tear. I could not quite pluck up the courage to check out the placenta... Angela got me to take a look at the stitches. This was quite difficult as it looked rather painful and swollen and bruised...

1230: Baby put to breast and sucked well once latched. Mum up to shower, then transferred to P/N room.

So there you have it... A very long few days and maybe one of the toughest that I have ever seen