Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Birth Story

Matthew Ryan arrived at 1.53am on Wednesday 14th, Valentine's Day.

So much for our "golden piggy" CNY baby. MrM surprised us by coming only 3 days late - not the anticipated 10+ days.

Relatively easy natural delivery. Had been having Braxton Hicks contractions fairly regularly all day (and all week!), not sure when real labour started. Ended up going to the hospital about 10pm, thinking this may well be the real thing, but would not have been surprised to have been sent home. Dr came in and examined me - 3cm and fully effaced. Said it looks like the start of active labour, so keep moving, and nurses would check on me again in 4hrs. With that comment I thought that meant I was in for a long night of labouring.

By midnight I had hopped in the tub for pain relief and my resolve for no pain relief was weakening. When the midwife popped in about 12.45 I asked about timeframe for epidural, knowing that sometimes it can take an hour or more for the anesthetist to administer it. Midwife asked me to get out of the tub so she could examine me and see how fast things were progressing. She seemed suprised that I was 6cm, and said she didn't think there would be time, as she started preparing the room or delivery, and I started sucking on the air/gas like there was no tomorrow!

My waters broke on the table about 1.30 and shortly after I felt the urge to push. Check: 8-9cm. I remember looking up at the clock at 1.39 when the midwife said the dr was on the way. I couldn't believe it when she asked me to lay straight (legs down) so as to reduce the urge to push. It felt like she said "cross your legs and wait for the dr". Thankfully dr wasn't far away. As soon as he walked in he said "push with the next contraction if you want to". DH said afterwards that he was taken by surprise at how quickly the whole thing happened. It felt like it only took 3 or 4 pushes and out he came!

He had the roundest head!!!

That was the one feature that I focussed on. My beautiful boy was put straight on my chest, DH was able to cut the cord when it stopped pulsing, and we stayed there for over half an hour. I was given the opportunity to put him on the breast, which he took to straight away. DH took a few photos and everytime the flash went there was a huge startle and a look of major panic in his eyes.

When it was time to go up to the ward I was asked if I a wheelchair was OK. I said it wasn't needed, as I was happy to walk up. Little did I realise that she meant can you manage getting ito a wheelchair, or would you prefer to be transported up on the bed!

At about 3.30am we decided to ring Oz for early (6.30) wake up calls to our families to tell them the news. DH went home shortly after, but I was too excited to sleep. I ended up sending sms to everyone at 5am with birth announcement. I was embarassed that I must have woken a few people up, as I got immediate replies ... people really shouldn't sleep with their phones!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

My Valentine

No chocs, romantic dinner, gifts of sexy lingerie, jewellery, or eddy bears for me this year. And am I complaining - NO.

I had the best Valentine's Day ever. The birth of my third child!

More details to follow ...

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The time is now ... EDD

Surprise! My EDD is today, but still no sign of baby. Had Dr appointment on Thursday, and while there was good news that baby had stayed in head down position (I was certain he had turned again), he was still high in my tummy, with Dr suggesting at least another 7-10 days wait. I had a busy day on Friday, and I think all the walking helped the baby drop lower, but still not engaged.

Looks like it will be A CNY baby after all.

To think I was concerned that baby would come on the 18th (MrT's b'day), but apparently he has given up all talk of a b'day party because he is excited about the baby arriving on his b'day as HIS b'day present! Now what do I do if baby comes earlier/later??? DH is supposed to be in charge of b'day present this year (as I expect to be preoccupied!!), but he hasn't done anything yet. Hope he gets organised!

On homefront news. Dad had a review at the cardiologist on Friday. Dad seemed pretty blase about the whole thing. Apparently he will have to go to the city for an angiogram and some other testing. Mum happened to mention in passing that she will be seeing a surgeon too about getting her gallbladder removed. It's times like these I hate being half a world away from my family. To top it all off mum is trying to talk me out of flying in for a quick visit with the baby, cos she thinks it's too far and too much for us to handle. I just want to see my parents!!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Quiet on the homefront

No baby news! Tend to be having lots of baby movements early evening, followed by lots of "tightenings". Last night had about 3-4 hrs of regular Braxton Hicks contractions, including back pain (ie back labour - hope the baby isn't posterior like MsA). Only mentioned it once to DH, because although they were painful, the ontractions weren't getting more intense or more frequent. I'm wondering if they were simply painful because of the ECV done earlier, which made my abdomen generally tender.

Oh, on the work front I politely declined the offers at this time, however suggested that if they were willing to wait a few months they could approach me again. I've already had a response saying they are happy to wait cos they really want me on board!

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Turn me, baby

Well, I was in for a surprise today at the Drs. This baby has been in breech position forever, but I was so confident that he had turned since my last Drs visit, I hardly paid attention to his explanation of what would have to be done if he hadn't turned when I was to see him again.

I should have. Baby hadn't turned. So Dr proceeded to perform ECV (External Cephalic Version). With him grunting, his knuckles cracking, and me wincing as he had his thumbs jammed into my tummy, he concluded by saying that the baby had turned and that would have been classed an "easy version". I would have hate to have seen a "difficult" one.

I was sent upstairs to the labour ward to be put on monitoring for 20mins. Dr popped in during that time as he had a lady labouring, and asked me to stay longer as the baby wasn't as active as he should be. Got given the all clear after 30 mins, but told to watch out for signs of labour or less movements from baby.

An anxious night ahead, me thinks. I don't know if it related to the procedure, but I now have a splitting headache (headaches and high BP were an issue late in preg with MsA), and a generally sore tummy and pubic area. Hope baby has his usual active period this evening, cos he is still very quiet. Thought he would have protested being moved from his evidently comfortable breech position!

In Demand!!

I'm flattered, dumbfounded, overwhelmed, surprised, honoured ....

Get the picture??

For the first time in my life I am a "wanted woman"!

I have had job offers coming at me left and right. It's amazing having people ring you out of the blue, stroke your ego, and sweet talk you all in an attempt to get you to work for them.

I do take pride in my work, and I do think I am competent at what I do. I don't think I warrant the accolades that some potential employers are heaping on me though.

I'd also like to take this information and rub it in the face of a couple of people at a former workplace who made comments that I had no bargaining power when it came to jobseeking and they could pay me under market rate because no one else would employ me (TIP: watch who you cc emails to, especially if you are replying to a message!)

I just wish timimg could have been better.

I really don't know if/when/how much I will work after the baby comes (next week?!).

All my potential "suitors" know my situation and are bending over backwards to say how flexible they will be and are happy to wait for me to start when I'm ready - provided I can give a commitment to them now that I WILL come on board.

What to do???

DH is telling me that if I am in demand now, I should still be in demand in 3-6mths when I will be more settled and can make more realistic decisions about what a want workwise.

I hope he is right.