Well we are finally home from hospital and it seems so long since mother was home. It was Monday night when she started with labour and not until 10:52am on Tuesday was little Harry born into this world. This is the first time in about 4 days that I have managed to sit down and have a minute so I thought I would write this post about what has happened over the last 4 days as I know that many of your are eager to find out.
Helen’s water broke at around 2300 on Sunday and it was on Monday after a doctors appointment that she started feeling gentle contractions that at this point were about every 20 minutes. It was all calm and we had a few people over for coffee and everything was going well. The contractions then started coming deeper and stronger and with less time between them and after a bath and something to eat we decided that it was time to ring the delivery suite at the hospital and see what they said.
Forty minutes later we were in hospital and Helen was having very strong contractions and already asking for the gas and air! In fact her first dregs of this were hilarous as she burst out laughing and comically told the midwife that she felt really pissed! We all just laughed. The gas and air seemed to be working well at this point but as the contractions got stronger through the night and it became clear that Harry was not for putting in an appearance until the next day the pain was getting worse.
I remember looking around at the delivery suite that we were in (no. 12) and thinking that actually it was better than some of the hotel rooms I had stayed in, in the past. What amused me was the Whiteboard on the wall. Was I expected to write Objectives and Outcomes like at work? Objective – to learn to give birth with as little pain as possible and outcome to give birth I presume. Helen had a laugh about that too which settled both our nerves I think.
At around 0145 Helen decided that an epidural was what was necessary and looking back this was an excellent decision. At 0210 the anethasits (Emma – who was great!) popped a needle into Helen’s spine and the wacked in some ‘stuff’ which knumbed her from the waist down. Now I always thought that you couldn’t feel anything from the waist down after an epidural, but things have moved in recent years. Helen could just about feel someone touching her legs and she could even move them and wiggle her toes but the pain of the contractions had gone, and although Helen couldn’t sleep, she was able to rest in reasonable comfort.
At 0800 in the morning it was clear that the pushing part of the labour was going to start and even though Helen was in no real pain (thank goodness as it is hard to watch a loved one in pain) it was hard work ahead.
About 40 minutes into this it seemed clear that Harry was not going anywhere fast and so the doctor was called it to take a look at why. After a lengthy examination it seemed as though little Harry was stuck as he could turn properly. So it was off the Theatre to attempt a delivery with the Forceps.
I suppose the best bit of this part was that finally I got to dress in scrubs. I had watched ER for years in the 1990′s and always wanted to don the blue srubs t-shirt and pants and finally I got the chance. I was amazed at how many people where in Theatre. There must have been about 12. I have to say though that it did not feel like I thought. That team of people in there were outstanding. They were calm, collected and polite even though the responsibility on their shoulders were massive. There was lots of banter and by the end of the it all when Harry was out I felt like I had known them for ages.
There was a lot of preparation and then all of a sudden Harry emerged as a funny blue colour although this soon changed to a pinkie red. He was just delightful and Mum had done ever so well. He was weighed and checked over after spending a few moments on Harry’s tummy. Unfortunately with him being born in Theatre Dad was not able to cut the cord, but that is a small price to pay for his safe entrance into this world.
After a few days in hospital recovering we are all at home, safe and sound. As I write this both mother and baby are sleeping away in their beds, although Harry will no doubt be winging soon as he needs his feed! All in all a good days work from the two of them.
