Slow progress
Michelle's little son was a little reluctant to make an appearance!
Had my waters broken?At 1am on 23rd August 2004 my waters broke. I woke Mark up to explain what had happened as I wasn't sure if it was my waters or not! I telephoned my mum, who told me to phone the hospital and they advised me to go in.
I told Mark, right this is it, time to get ready and go to hospital. We timed the contractions on the way there and they were every 5 minutes.
We arrived at Stirling Royal Infirmary's labour suite and I was hooked up to a machine to detect the baby's heartbeat and record my contractions. Then I was examined and told I was only 1cm dilated so I would be moved up to the maternity ward where they kept an eye on me.
Sleeping was difficult!Mark went home as it was very early on (4am). I was sent to the ward where I was to get some rest and try to sleep. This was very hard because the contractions were every 5 minutes and painful.
Throughout the following day, I was in agony but there was still no change, still only 1cm dilated. Eventually I asked for stronger pain relief (diamorphine) which I was given and it eased the pain and allowed me to get some sleep. After visitors had gone, and it became late, the pain relief started to wear off and the contractions were coming closer together. I asked for a heat pack to help ease the pain in my back, which didn't help!
Finally some progress!At 4am on the 24th August, I was referred down to the labour suite where I could use the gas and air for the contractions. It was then I was told I was 3cm dilated - finally some progress! Mark was called from home to come in which he did right away! Also, at 8am, mum came in to take turns with Mark in sitting with me!
As the day progressed I continued dilating and, by the time I was 10cm dilated, I was ready to push. Push I did for two whole hours … with no progress, so the doctor was called and I was told I'd have to have a forceps delivery to try to get the baby out!
Off I went to theatre, where they gave me an epidural to numb me from the waist down. Within minutes it took effect then I was taken to theatre for the delivery to begin. Mark was able to join us, which I was pleased about. After two pushes, and the help of forceps, I gave birth to Connor Jay Noble at 10.18pm and he was perfect!
Where to next?
- Read the full birth story
- Read accounts of different types of birth
- Read accounts of other assisted births