Samuel's Page (part 2)
This page is to keep people updated on our new baby. We were devastated with the stillbirth of our last baby, Annabelle, and we are thrilled with the news of our expected new baby. We have 3 older children also. Greg was 20 in June, Tash is 13 and Nic is 11. Annabelle would have been 2 this April 2004.
Part 1: before he was born, Part 2: Being Born and Hospital, Part 3: from Sept 17 to December 21st (3 months old)
Part 4: 3 to 14 months, Part 5: 14 months onwards
This is the continuation of Samuel's web page. The first part was the story of the pregnancy and now he has been born we have the next part.
We had a Dr's appt at 9:30am on September 13th. Our Dr told us that due to the low volume of fluid around Samuel and his lack of growth, he would induce delivery that evening. We had to book into hospital at 5:45pm. The next step was to insert a prostaglandin gel cap and see if labour started so this happened at 5:30pm and labour was confirmed at 6:30pm. By 7:30pm the contractions were really strong already and quite close together. I found I could tolerate it though by using breathing in and blowing out and holding a hot pack tight against my lower belly while Robert held one against my back and massaged my back with his fist and pressure..
I was checked at 8:45pm with hardly any change although the contractions were now about 2 minutes apart. I figured if I was going to go through this much pain for a long time I was going to have pain relief so I had 30mg of pethidine into the IV heplock in my arm. This took the edge of the contractions for the next hour and made them breathable. By 10pm I was up to 3cms and when my Dr came in and checked me he decided I was far enough along to break the waters. This didn't hurt quite as much as it did with Annabelle but was still fairly painful. I had the next dose of pethidine at 10:15 thereabouts. I was given a microlax enema around then too due to a bit of fecal activity. After that worked I had a shower and Robert held the hot water running over my back which helped with the pain control.
The third dose of pethidine was just after midnight and by then I had also started using the gas for added relief. I must admit I made quite a bit of noise through this labour starting with moaning and making vocalising sounds through the pain til towards the end I was quite loud. Well I thought I was but Robert said I wasn't that bad. I remember reading a hint posted on a message board about low 'animal' sort of sounds and I found that that seemed to help. I had strong urges to bear down or push with each contraction rather than just letting the pain build up. By focusing on pushing against the pain and 'growling' it seemed to help lower the pain. Robert's hands also quite a squeezing and I did worry a few times about breaking his fingers lol.
The midwife checked me at 1:05 am and said I was effaced and 9cm. I had been feeling stronger productive type 'pushy' contractions for a little while so I was told I could go ahead and push whenever I felt the need. Another midwife came in and checked me at 1:17amd and she said I was only still 3cms but paper thin effaced. They called my Dr who came in and at 1:32am he told me Samuel was starting to stress and as I hadn't progressed with the labour he would have to a C section straight away. I was so tired of the pain of the contractions and urges to push by this stage that I agreed and said I would like an epidural so I could be awake. He said no problems he would arrange the anesthetist and also an injection to be given straight away to stop the labour and contractions to save me any more un-necessary pain.
He left the room to make the phone calls and one of the midwives left to go get the injection which left me with just Robert and two other midwives, one of who incidentally had looked after me the night Annabelle died. I felt something strange inside and assumed Samuel had just changed position slightly, it felt like a 'giving' feeling or relaxation of a muscle or something like that. I felt one more contraction coming on and thought yippee last one before the magic needle to stop them then no more pain. I grabbed the gas and then as the contraction increased I felt a sudden great pressure like a head about to crown. I had felt it with the births of my older 3 children so knew what it meant. I figured it though that it couldn't be his head if I was only 3cms so what on earth was happening and if it was his head what could they do if I was only 3cms??? I made quite a lot of noise in fear and pain and grabbed hold of Robert's hand in a death grip. The midwife noticed the change in my noises so I was quickly rolled on my back and she checked and Samuel was about to crown. I had been lying on my side but half sitting and went to sitting almost upright.
I am told she gave a whistle and called out for the Dr and the other midwife to get back in and then I was told to push with the next contraction and in one long push Samuel arrived to everyone's disbelief and amazement. The time was 1:35am, only 3 minutes after I was told I would have to have a cesarean. Robert says his head came out then his arms which he started waving around straight away and as his legs came out he started kicking too. The midwife had a hard time getting a decent hold to put him on my tummy. I looked down at him and his screwed up face and was just so relieved he was out, safe and sound and no need for the surgery and amazed that one minute I was due for surgery and the next I had a baby on my tummy. Everyone was happy and amazed. The thoughts after were that the enema earlier had helped, the suggestion of surgery may have helped, and the scar tissue on my cervix from the LLETZ procedure in 1996 had suddenly given way and I had dilated the full amount in one go. No matter anyhow, all we needed to know was Samuel was now safe and sound with us.
The Dr had a hard time apparently convincing me to let me go so they could actually reach the cord into Samuels tummy to apply the clamp and then let Robert cut the cord. The next battle was getting him away from me so they could do the needed checks and get me to deliver the placenta. Samuel was 7 minutes old by then. It took more effort to deliver the placenta than it did to deliver Samuel. After we were both cleaned up he was put skin to skin on my chest and we were both covered with warm towels and sheets. Robert, Samuel and I were then left alone for about an hour. the midwife came back and dressed Samuel while I went for a wash and needed toilet break. I got them to check Samuels measurements which they normally don't do until they have the first bath but I wanted to know. He weighed 2925gm (around 6lb 5oz), 50cms long and head circumference of 33.5 cms. His apgar was 9:9 so the best out of all my babies.
We had intended to video the actual birth as with all my other deliveries even though they had put a mirror in place so I could see as the head crowned, when I push down I close my eyes so I have always missed it. Robert and several other dads we know all say how amazing and awesome the miracle of actual giving birth is. Watching the new life entering the world. Well I missed it again. The video camera was all set up ready but everything happened so quickly that Robert didn't have time to turn the camera on. Besides that fact I also had such a tight hold on his hand it is a wonder he didn't end up on the bed with me. He was allowed to turn the video on briefly after Samuel had been placed on my tummy so we have a few seconds of me with Samuel wet and slimy and squirming on my tummy. I had changed from groaning/growling/grunting to giggling/laughing/relieved that it was over, he was here and safe and the relief of not having to go through surgery to get Samuel out. It is only brief though because the Dr and midwives still had to clamp the cord and give me and Samuel injections and you are not allowed to get video of nursing staff. So the camera went off so the job could be finished lol.
Robert left for home around 4am and Samuel was taken around to the nursery for a few hours. I didn't sleep though, I was still very sore from the rapid delivery and still very shocked at going from accepting the need for surgery to 3 minutes later holding our baby.
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Samuel aged 7 minutes having his first check up. | |
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Tired mummy, proud daddy, Samuel aged 10 minutes old. | |
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Mummy, daddy and Samuel after his check up. Aged 11 minutes and after the placenta had been delivered. Our OB actually took this photo for us. | |
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Samuel the next morning with his special Utah teddy from 'Aunty' Patty. 7 hours old | |
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Lunch time on the first day, nearly 12 hours old. Samuel and Judy | |
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Samuel 12 hours old | |
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Robert and Samuel with Samuel's big brother, Nick | |
September 16th. Samuel has a sticky right eye so he is on eye ointment to clear it up. He is a good sleeper and eater. He did have a bit of worry for us yesterday when he wouldn't show any interest at all in feeding from 3am til 2pm. He had had his first bath and done admirably. He chucked up, peed and pooed allover the clean towel ready for his bath. I think after his big 'clean out' he was tired he wasn't interested in filling his tummy again. He did love his bath though and was completely relaxed in it. Mind you when it was time to come out of the water he did perform. Once he was wrapped in the towel and dressed again he was fine. He just doesn't like being stripped off. He prefers to sleep either with his bed on an incline or in bed with me. Sleeping on a slight incline means he doesn't chuck up quite so much.
As for me, still a bit sore and swollen but it gets better all the time. The milk is starting to come in and it is reassuring to see and hear Samuel able to swallow when he feeds so I know he is actually getting something. The after pains are not so bad today as yesterday. At least now I am able to stop the pain relief tablets from 4 hourly to maybe twice a day although today so far I have had none and I am doing ok. My blood pressure has been a bit low this morning but it is ok for now.
I was watching Samuel sleeping awhile ago and thinking back to what Annabelle was like. She had dark hair too although more of it, longer and curly. There are similarities between them though. We still miss her and always will but are also so grateful for Samuel. It is a feeling that can only be understood by anyone else who has previously had a stillbirth and then received the gift of a new life to love and hold and care for.
© Mills Family 2005