Monday October 26th 2009
My pre labour began early Monday morning. I had strong contractions from 2.30-6.30am. They were 10 minutes apart lasting for about 10 seconds. I breathed through them whilst lying in bed. David was next to me holding my hand for comfort. The pain was bearable at this stage.
David went to work in the morning. I had a bath and went to sleep for 3 hours. When I woke the pain had subsided and it stayed like that for the day. My midwife had said that my body is preparing for your arrival. My cervix was softening ready to open……
I was feeling calm most of the day and relaxed. I slept more and stayed mainly at home. I got last minute things ready for your arrival as my midwife said that I will probably go into strong labour that night which meant that I will be seeing you very soon! How are you feeling in there little one?
At 8pm that night the contractions started to get stronger. I am feeling a little anxious about what is to come but I feel ready. I will be very happy to meet you…..to have you in my arms looking deeply into your eyes. I prey your journey is an easy one. I will try my best to open and surrender to the flow of our journey.
The contractions lasted the whole night. They were a lot stronger and closer together. My midwife arrived at 1.30am to check me and I had only dilated 1cm so I was still in pre labour. I tried to sleep but was waking every 10 minutes with the contractions.
Tuesday October 27th 2009
David stayed home with me in the morning. The contractions never let up. We went to the obstetrician and I was still only 1 cm dilated. When we got home David went to work and I stayed home. I felt quite calm and strong and was happy to be alone. I spent most of the afternoon in the garden. It was a beautiful sunny day.
At 10 pm I asked David to call Mette my birth support. David kept saying to me to try and sleep but there was no way that I could lie down let alone sleep! I was feeling a lot of pain in my bottom with each contraction. David wanted to sleep and I needed someone with me at that point so Mette came.
I moved to the couch where I was more comfortable. Mette arrived around 11.30pm and Gaye arrived at 1am. When she arrived she gave me an internal and I had dilated 4cm. David pumped the pool up and I stayed there for some time. It gave me most relief and calm. I remember thinking if the pain stays like this I could handle it. I was in good spirits.
Wednesday October 28th 2009
My midwife arrived at 6am. I was now 5cm dilated. I didn’t feel good about how slow it was going. I had only dilated 1cm in the last 5 hours. I kept labouring. Mette supported me by rubbing my back when the contractions came and in between making sure I rested. David had a sleep. At 9am My midwife checked me again and I had only dilated 6cm. The baby was posterior. This is what was making the labour slow and the pain I was feeling in my bottom was for this reason. I was getting tired at this stage. My midwife decided to break my waters at 10am and then we also decided to go to Masada hospital where I was to deliver.
David drove and Mette and I were in the back. I had one contraction in the car. We arrived at the hospital at 10.30am. I was 9cm dilated. David blew the pool up and I stayed there for what seemed like hours. I felt very calm and relaxed in the pool. The contractions were a lot stronger now.
My midwife and the nurses decided to give me a hormone drip to speed the labour up. They were afraid that I was getting too tired. I got out of the bath. They gave me the drip and put a monitor on me which monitored the baby’s heartbeat because he had swallowed maconium. That’s when the labour went into transition stage. From then on it was really intense. It was about 1pm at this stage. I was labouring in different positions, but the baby was facing my leg which was slowing the process down. I remember feeling agony in my bottom at each contraction but I needed to push through them and found strength from I don’t know where. The nurses gave me half an hour to labour ‘naturally’ without intervention then after if the baby hadn’t changed position they were going to intervene. There was a voice inside me speaking to the baby telling him to move around. It will make his journey through the birth canal much easier. I visualised him moving. Within half an hour he moved!
I began pushing then for 2 ½ hours. I was on my back pushing with my legs held by David on one side and Mette on the other. I was getting very tired. Each contraction I gave it all that I had and in between I was in another world totally oblivious to what was around me. Once the baby’s head was in sight it was a quick process.
When he was born they put him straight on my chest. I remember the first thought when I laid eyes on him……I couldn’t believe how beautiful he was. David and Mette were overwhelmed with emotion. It was the most amazing experience one that I am so blessed to have had. I have never taken my mind and body to the places I went.
I had my little boy on my chest. He was crying. I held him tight, kissed him and loved him immediately. He was born at 5.34pm. I birthed the placenta and David cut the umbilical cord.
This is my story. Ryder is now nearly two.
I hope my story can inspire, give hope and touch many women.
