October 19, 2010

Labour story and on being a mamma





I finally get two minutes to write whilst Izzy is still asleep so here is my labour story...
Labour was a marathon for me! I was induced on Thursday at 6pm and didn't give birth until the next morning at 9.24 am. It was the most painful but amazing thing I have ever done in my life and as painful as it was, hearing my baby girl crying and opening my eyes and seeing her between my legs, was the most incredible and intense feeling I have ever felt! I was able to hold her straight away and the minute she was on my chest she stopped crying, I never felt happier. Then they put her on my side and I was able to breastfeed her which she did like a pro! D was by my side through it all. He would time and hold me during those painful contractions and then encourage me to push when he could see her head coming and I swear if it wasn't for him I would never have done it! He is truly my rock and the most amazing dad ever! He got the hang of changing diapers so easily and now that's his job!
I had a complication after the birth whereby my placenta would not deliver and after 4 hours of waiting for the or to free I was wheeled in. I hated being taken away from my baby and D so soon and part of me felt scare something would go wrong. I was told it was a 15 minutes thing but it ended up taking a whole hour. I was awake under an epidural and knew something was up when more and more doctors were coming in the room and they gave me 'something to relax me'. In the end the leading surgeon who operated on me came to speak to me. She told they got all of my placenta but that they also found a big 'bleeder' behind one of the 3 stitches I had done after the birth. It was a large haematoma the size of a fist. I lost 1 liter of blood but they got it all and I need to think of what a lucky break I got when the placenta didn't come out otherwise they wouldn't have caught in time. I started shaking and crying hearing this and didn't come down until D came to see me in the recovery room. I was still in shock and my blood pressure was all over the place so they suggested bring Izzy to see me so I would come down and so I did as soon as she was next to me in her cot.
Having lived throught this as well makes me feel even more thankful for the miracle we have been granted. We are truly blessed!

We are all home now and recovering well. I am on pain meds and antibiotics and iron but overall we are doing great. The antibiotics I take don't impact on the breastfeeding and so I am now a milk factory! I am blessed with a lot of milk and a baby who loves to feed! We are still finding our feet but we are managing well and every day seems a bit easier. I still see her as such a fragile baby and I cannot help but feeling nervous at times about accidentally hurting her. I suppose that's what moms do.. They worry!

Here are a few pics of Izzy as it seems yesterday's post didn't work out.. she is a true beauty but then I am biased!!

9 comments:

  1. My friend, so so happy for you and you sound like you were a trouper! I had no doubt you would have made the whole hospital proud! Enjoy this miracle and post pics when you can (the previous post was empty!) Much love,Fran

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  2. Izzy is just beautiful. Well done.

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  3. Oh Laura, she's simply beautiful! So happy for you guys! Can't wait to see more pictures and hear how she's progressing. Well done mama!

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  4. She is so beautiful!

    I am glad to hear your are doing ok after such a scary experience!

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  5. laura - she is a beauty!!! congrats again! sounds like you had a tough time of it at the hospital, and i'm just thankful that everything turned out okay. sounds like motherhood is everything they say it is :o) enjoy this time!

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  6. I am glad everything turned out okay with the labor and delivery. How scary! Izzy is very beautiful, Congratulations!

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  7. Awww, congrats lovely lady she is beautiful.

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  8. Oh wow - she's gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm so so happy for you and D! And way to go on the awesome breastfeeding!!!

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  9. Sweet Laura, I am so sorry to be commenting so late. Rest assured I have followed your every move closely and we are all rejoicing with you! Izzy is more beautiful than words. How could she not be? I know you are exhausted but over the moon with excitement. Much love to all of you!

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