Today is my due date. However, those of you on twitter will know that Louisa Grace joined us almost two weeks ago!
I knew I would be induced a little early due to the gestational diabetes. The doctor scheduled the induction on the very day I hit 38 weeks.
I arrived at the hospital at 7pm to commence the induction. Hubs stayed a while but when things looked like they wouldn't be happening that night he headed home for his final night of uninterrupted sleep! Sadly I did not get much sleep as the baby was monitored on and off during the night, and I was constantly interrupted by nurses trying to take my temperature and blood pressure.
Unfortunately things had not progressed by 8 am the following morning. They applied another dose of gel and we waited in the delivery suite for five hours. By lunch time my water had not broken on it's own, so the doctor took matters into her own hands. This was a rather traumatic process that I do not wish to document on the internet! If you are having an induction and want to know more about how it all worked you can email me.
Once the labour started the doctor and I quickly agreed that I would need an epidural. I had been awake all night and was exhausted. I was also nauseous and feeling over-whelmed.
The epidural helped me get some rest and the day passed in quite a blur. As night fell it began to look less likely we would meet our baby that day.
The doctor came by on her final rounds. I was so glad to have my obstetrician there throughout the day and was anxious that she was leaving. She assured us she would return if I progressed or if there were any developments.
By 11 pm I was truly anxious and exhausted, despite the epidural. I had been at the hospital for over 24 hours and yet things were not progressing. I was only 3 cm dilated! I was feeling so defeated and did not know if I had another 10 hours (and then the pushing!!) in me.
The midwife went into the corridor to telephone the doctor. Hubs eavesdropped by the door and reported back that the doctor was on her way back in. Little did I know that she had also summoned the on-call anesthetist, paediatrician and surgical team.
When the doctor arrived she examined me and discussed our options. The baby was stuck in an awkward position and this was stopping the labour from progressing. The baby had turned slightly over the ten hours I had been in labour, but it could take another ten to turn and engage completely.
By this time I had a fever and the baby was showing signs of distress on the monitor. The doctor advised that she would be doing an emergency C-section. Despite a firm desire to have a V-birth, I was deliriously happy about the C-Section. I just wanted to meet my baby!
After 28 hours of tediously slow progress, things moved swiftly one the C-section was scheduled! I was prepped for theatre and wheeled down quite quickly. Hubs was whisked away to get dressed. He returned to hold my hand and take photos of the procedure.
In the early hours of the following morning (some 30 hours after the induction commenced) my baby girl was born! It was the most emotional and breathtaking moment of my life. The doctor held her aloft and announced that we had a daughter! I am so glad we did not find out the gender and received that special surprise at that moment.
We had a lovely time together as a family cuddling in the operating room, with Hubs holding the baby on my chest for skin - to - skin time. He proudly announced her name to the world - Louisa Grace. I wept with joy and relief and a love that is all conquering.
In the days following the C-Section I recovered swiftly. I will do a separate post about that.
Our baby girl is so perfect! We think she has daddy's colouring and my face shape and nose.
Daddy is, of course, smitten!
We have been home for a week and it is quite a learning experience. we are literally taking things one hour at a time! Hubs has taken a month off work to be at home with us and it is quite positively the best decision we have ever made. I am adoring this sweet time we can bond together as a little family of three. I will miss him drastically when he returns to work!
After a week at home Louisa's personality is shining through. Her favorite things are:
- Nursing
- Cuddles with daddy in the glider
- Sleeping in her car seat
- Walking in the pram
- Sleeping during the day
Louisa clearly does not enjoy:
- Sleeping in her Moses basket
- Being alone
- Being woken up to feed
- Sleeping at night
I will try to post a little more frequently as I do want a record of these special times. However this post has taken about three hours to write so I cannot guarantee a prolific output!
xx elle (a very happy, tired and in-love mama)
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