The birth of Nathaniel - don't read if you don't like birth stories!

From Sunday 8th May, I was feeling poorly.  Tummy was sore, headaches, shivering, sore throat and generally not quite right.  But I had another week and a half at work so decided that it was just late pregnancy aches and pains and tried to keep going.  Have to say that I was in bed by 5pm on the Monday though as felt that I had flu - with hindsight, I know it was more hormones changing to wanting to give birth!


On Wednesday 11th May (38 weeks and 5 days pregnant), I woke up and couldn't walk properly - it felt as though there was a ball between my legs - and I thought that the baby had maybe dropped further or that I had slept funny so off I trundled to work.  Fortunately we had a special collapsed timetable day and I was down to do one-to-one work with C/D kids as their exam was on the following Monday so was not teaching full classes unlike the rest of the team. Was having mild pains all day but had had them for the last few days so wasn't worried. 

2.25pm - After lunch, I sat in department office to await first afternoon student, when I heard/felt a pop and a gush. Stood up quickly (because I was on a particular colleague's chair and I didn't want to get it wet) and Niagra Falls began. My trousers were stuck to me, my socks and shoes soaked and there was a puddle on the floor.  My first thught was that it couldn't be happening.  I had heard the jokes for the previous two weeks about my waters bursting at school but knew that statistically it was unlikely and was far more likely to happen when chilling out at the weekend.

In a panic, I waddled out to the corridor where fortunately a lovely female English teacher was and asked her to come over. She calmed me down, got me to the office and there I sat on a pile of towels and plastic bags awaiting my husband, while the admin staff tried to make jokes. Contractions were every 5 minutes but weren't long or painful.

3.45pm - Eventually got home - husband had to wait for the taxi driver as his car had broken down - what timing!!  Mad dash around the house ensued with me trying to get the dishes in the dishwasher (as we had all left for work/school in a hurry that morning), change out of damp clothes, get the heating on to warm the towels etc.


4.30pm - The midwife arrives and said that I was 5cm and very stretchy. Waters still gushing out. Began to think that they had it wrong about a big baby as never seen so much water. Plastic sheets all over the bed and floor and towels scattered around trying to soak it up.  Midwife got me walking up and down the stairs and got a second midwife there as she thought things were happening quickly. 

After 2 hours of walking up and down the stairs, pausing to breath through the contractions, I was feeling immense pressure in bottom so we thought I was 9cm ish. But contractions still only one in five minutes although a minute long and hurting so I couldn't talk through them. Although I was managing to laugh in between the contractions (goodness knows what was funny and no, I hadn't touched the gas and air!) - something which I have since read on my birth notes.

8.15pm - still nothing and time for shift change of midwives. I was tired and disheartened and kept saying that I couldn't understand why baby wasn't coming but that it felt there was something stopping him. The new midwife was a matron and straight away insisted on an internal, suggesting that I had another bag of waters preventing the baby coming down. I argued that I really couldn't have any more waters.  How wrong was I?!  

8.30pm - On examination, I was only 7cm and I promptly burst into tears thinking I had hours and hours to go as had only gone 2cm in all that time. But then she explained that she was able to stretch it to 9-10cm and that the waters had stopped the pressure of the head needed to dilate and stay there.  She broke the waters and there was so much of it (again!) and soaked everywhere (again). The next contraction was instant and absolute agony. The midwife said I had to get to the birthing area on the floor where I instantly had another contraction and tried the gas and air but couldn't get it to work so screamed the house down. Never had pain like it. The next contraction, was so painful that I bit the gas and air nozzle off and threw it across the floor and then found myself biting down on my arm as it was the only thing available. 

At this point I sunk to the floor but the midwife insisted I kneel up as the head was crowning and he couldn't get out with me sat on his head - shame as I was much more comfortable sat there even if he wasn't. Then the heartbeat dropped to 60 and the two midwives and my husband forced me to kneeling and I was told to push hard. Without having a contraction or urge to push I argued that I couldn't but she said I had to get him out now! So I pushed and somehow got his head out without a break and then his body at 8.45pm. He screamed straight away and was fine, and so was I. We were just a bit shocked by the events of the previous fifteen minutes.

So all in all, I was 5cm with no pain or problems, then took 3 and a half hours to get to 7cm , then ten minutes to get to 10cm and delivery a baby. 

Afterwards, she said I was very lucky that the waters were stuck there because if those waters had also broken at school, I would have probably had a 30 minute labour and had him at work! But that large bag blocked everything and meant a slow 5-7cm instead.

After the birth, I was helped back into my bed and sat there and fed him.  He opened his eyes and just looked up - the best moment ever!  The other children then came up and the midwives discreetly disappeared to leave us to have some 'family time'.  Everyone had cuddles and photos and it was just so lovely - something that you can't have in a hospital.


10.00pm - midwives had left us, I had had a bath, the girls had been packed off to bed and I was sat on the sofa cuddling my newborn son and thinking what a surreal day - gone to work as normal, managed practically a full day, waters broke at work, home to give birth, had a baby and sat in front of the TV by 10pm.
He is 7lb 3oz and 45cm (the shortest one so far) and absolutely gorgeous!

13 days to go!!!

Of course I know that babies don't usually arrive on their due date (although 2 of mine have) but even so, the thought that I could have a baby in 13 days doesn't seem very far away at all now.  Everything is ready although I don't start my maternity leave for another 12 days.  I am fine at work - better keeping busy than sat around all day - but it does mean that I get comments all day from lots of teenage children about my ever increasing size and their worry that I will spontaneously give birth while standing at the whiteboard.  Now that would be a story to tell in the future!

Not sure how Hannah is going to react to the new arrival.  She spends a lot of time kissing my tummy and telling the baby to come out, which is cute, but she has no idea what life will be like when she has to share the attention.  

This week, Hannah has perfected the 'Sorry Mummy' when she is naughty.  She says it so beautifully and sincerely that you simply can't stay cross with her.  Although I am not sure she understands what it means as more often than not, she will then go back to whatever mischievous deed she was doing, promptly followed by another 'Sorry Mummy.'

Having a homebirth has one major advantage - you are compelled to keep the house tidy just in case labour starts and the midwife comes before you have a chance to clean up!  So I am becoming a little obsessive at ensuring everything is spotless.  I now can't walk into a room without inspecting it for something not in its place or a bit of dust.  My house has never been so tidy or clean.  Hope the midwife notices now!!

I also have some lovely laminate in my lounge, dining room and kitchen which my husband, friend and children lay last weekend.  I decided Hannah and I were best not there with the mess and chaos so escaped for the day. Left the house with bare floors and furniture everywhere and came home ten hours later to three new looking rooms.  Now I have my sights set on a shower room and garden make over.  Not sure that they will get done before the baby arrives though.  Still, Laurie will have two weeks paternity leave to get them done soon.  Just got to make sure that the midwife doesn't see the shower room in the meantime or my image of a tidy, clean and organised house will be destroyed!

37 weeks today!

37 weeks today!  Not sure where the last 8 months have gone but am so excited to be officially full-term.  Feels very real now.  And after feeling panicky about getting the baby out before he grows too large (after the midwife told me to expect an 8-8 1/2 pounder) I am now feeling far more chilled about it all.  Partly helped by three lovely ladies coming up to me, while I was in the park with Hannah yesterday, to tell me that my bump was perfectly formed and shaped.  Very weird strangers coming up to me to comment on my body but as they said kind things, I really didn't mind!  So while I was feeling fat and uncomfortable, I suddenly realised that actually I will miss my bump when the baby comes.  After all, I know what the bump turns into after the birth.  So maybe I don't mind being pregnant a little longer and enjoying my shape.  

37 weeks today with my boy bump!!!

In the meantime, I realised this morning that my medicine cabinet is bursting with my potions for this baby.  I think the drugs companies are making a fortune from pregnant women.  I have raspberry leaf tea bags, raspberry leaf tablets, pregnacare tablets, iron supplements, and clary sage.  Then there is the after birth drugs ready and waiting.  Paracetamol, ibuprofen and arnica.  And I keep wondering if I have missed anything out.

Well, a day off thanks to the Royal couple and I am very glad for the long weekend.  Lots to do in the house as well as school work but am feeling a lot less tired than I was over the Easter holidays, so am hoping to get things done.  I might even get that last bit of skirting board glossed.  

After this weekend, I still have three weeks work (well, two and a half) until my maternity leave so I think I may be a little less energetic.  But on the good side, it takes my mind off watching for every little sign of labour beginning and that has to be a good thing!

Homebirth visit - good and bad points

Well, the midwife came over after work today to bring over the stuff I need for my homebirth and go through the paperwork involved and am now feeling apprehensive but also excited.  Apprehensive because this baby has grown a LOT in the last two weeks and is now at the top of the chart.  So rather than an estimated average 7-7 and a half pound baby, I am now looking at a 8-8 and a half pound baby.  Maybe not big for everyone but I am only 5 foot 1 inch and if the baby is late, I could even be looking at 9lb plus!

On the positive side, the baby is now well engaged (3/5 in the pelvis which is what the others were before I went into labour) and apparently the head is not moving at all - good that it is very unlikely to disengage but also could mean a big head (ouch!).  Hoping that the head being so low is a sign that baby is ready to come out in the next two weeks!  The head being engaged does explain the pelvic pain that I have been suffering in the last week too.  Good to know that it isn't in my head (but my pelvis - lol).

I do get to see my baby again tomorrow, just to check the presentation as I am having a homebirth.  This means that I get to see my baby once more before he is born.  And I get to check that 'he' is actually a boy!  The 20 week scan had better be right or I will be having a girl wearing boy clothes for the first three months.

The only other news from the midwife visit was that I have ketones, meaning that I am not eating enough.  Bit of a joke when I have a giant baby making my stomach so small that I haven't felt hungry in two weeks and yet the baby has grown loads.  How big he would be if I was eating normally is anyone's guess.

The reality is that I am having a baby!  And it is finally feeling real.  I have drugs delivered by the midwife in the fridge and the cupboard for baby and me.  My notes and birth plan have been written by the midwife.  The essential equipment has been dropped off in a big yellow bag.  And more importantly, my baby seems fully cooked now.  Or at least he will be in 72 hours!  While I don't think he will be a 37 weeker, a 38 weeker would be rather good considering his size and my comfort.  So lots of long walks, curries and bouncing on my ball from the 6th of May.  Or maybe earlier if the aches and pains get too much!!

Oh, forgot to mention that I went back to work today.  A five lesson day to keep me busy.  Wasn't as bad as I thought though and at least I have a long weekend to look forward to.  Am just surprised that my blood pressure wasn't raised with the long and tiring day but actually it was the lowest one to date (106/60).  Is that a sign of impending labour?  May have to research that one.

Lastly, and still work related, I handed in a letter to my Headteacher today informing him that I will be taking 6 weeks more maternity leave than I previously stated.  This means that I will be off from the 19th May 2011 (if baby not here before due date) until the middle of April 2012.  Yippee!!

A busy last day

Last day of the holidays and it is a manic day.  Partly my fault though as decided we needed to secure more of the garden for Hannah and so a trip to B&Q was in order.  So off we headed with our list and budget and I may have well chucked them both away.  Walking towards the garden area, I spotted some laminate reduced to £10 for 2.2 sqm.  On asking the sales assistant how much he had in stock, he said that he wanted to get rid of it and offered to reduce it to £8 a pack (£3.63 sqm).  So we bought enough for 40sqm!  Definitely blown the budget but a bargain.  Now Laurie has got to find the time to get the garden sorted so it is safer for Hannah as well as laying a laminate floor, which needs to be done before the baby arrives due to the dust and mess.  Oh, and the shower room needs doing but maybe I will wait a month a two for that!

So what else have I done this morning (apart from buying lots from B&Q)?  I have written a letter to my Head stating that I am going to take an extra 6 weeks maternity leave (unpaid though).  This means that I will be off until the beginning of April 2012.  Can't wait!!  Although I will miss my wages, especially with my purchases today!  But, in the meantime, I have four weeks of work to plan for and get through.  To be honest, I am not looking forward to it - am tired and aching - but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the thought of being able to take a decent amount of time off with my new baby (and Hannah of course) is fantastic.  It was tough going returning to work after 6 months last time, especially with breastfeeding and Hannah still waking in the night, so hoping that it will be easier this time and I won't spend my maternity leave worrying about how I will cope going back.

Right, well better go as I now have to take my girls out to a majorette display this afternoon.  On my return, I will have to face the dreaded task of getting the school uniforms ironed, packed lunches made and some last minute planning.  Then an early night, ready for a 6am start tomorrow.

One month to go but am enjoying the weather

It is the 20th of April today which means that it is a month until my due date.  Please can anyone tell me where the last 8 months went?  (Or rather 7 and a half since getting that positive test result.)  Some days I feel totally ready - I have the bag packed, the baby clothes washed and am now fed up of the fat waddling look - but then I try to imagine another baby in our house and I feel totally unprepared.  But it doesn't matter how ready I am or not as at some time in the next 6 weeks (if he is two weeks late), I will have my fifth baby.  A baby with no name!

In the meantime, I am enjoying this absolutely gorgeous weather that I can't believe is here as it is a school holiday and usually the weather is terrible when the children are off.  I have lost count of the miles that I have walked while trying to enjoy this beautiful sunshine but it has been great.  Family days out on the beach or at the park in the sun is what Summer is all about.  Just keeping everything crossed that it lasts until at least the end of the holidays.

With two weeks off and this sun, I am feeling more relaxed now than I have in months and simply don't want it to end.  Can I press the pause button please and make the most of the simple life without the stresses of work and dashing about?  I could really get used to this.

Sunny Sunday and am pondering names

Well, it is 7am on a Sunday morning and I have been up since 6am to get my two eldest girls across town for the coach to take them to their majorettes competition.  Back home now and the sun is out and the day is full of promise.  What to do with myself?  Now, I have some time and energy, I don't know.

One thing that I ought to be doing is trying to sort out a name for our baby boy.  We have always chosen a name by now and with less than 5 weeks until due date, I guess we really ought to start making a decision.  There are lots that we like but I am not sure that I love them.  And don't want to go with a second best name.  The main problem is that there are many names with negative connotations due to working in four different schools over the years.  Plus, we have to decide between us and that isn't easy either.  Then the three older children give their opinions and they are not shy about saying what they think.

So what type of name do I want?  One that will suit both a child and an adult. One that isn't currently in the top 10 or 20 names as to common but equally isn't too unusual.  We like a lot of the popular Biblical names but am not sure that I love them.  Guess I am waiting for inspiration to hit me like a thunderbolt but am running out of time.  Maybe we will just wait until he arrives, then decide what name he looks like.  Unless anyone can suggest a great name in the meantime.

In the meantime, the sun is shining and I want to see some of it.  But where to go at 8 months pregnant with a two year old?  Maybe a walk down by the quay to feed the ducks and swans.  Bit early at the moment though so maybe another cup of tea first.