Oliver's birth story part 1

As tomorrow marks one month since my little man was born and enough time has passed for me to be able to write about his birth which did end up being a little traumatic but in the end I feel it is just our story to tell and although it is not what I hoped for, I am ok with it.

Oliver's birth went very differently to the natural, intervention free water birth I had hoped for.
It began on Friday the 14th December when I had my Post dates appointment at Nepean - the appointment I was desperately hoping not to make. To discuss dates for a possible induction an ultrasound to check on fluid levels and placental blood flow (all which were normal) followed by a routine internal, which I was in two minds about consenting to but after discussion with the midwife I decided to go ahead with it and as my cervix was found to be 1cm she performed a stretch and sweep of my membranes.

A little while after leaving the hospital I began to experience some cramping.
Paul and I went & had a coffee at the local deli on the way home and talked about labour and I remember telling him that I thought it would not be long before we met our baby. Paul had to go to work so I was a little anxious. I spent the night timing the pains which were consistent at 5 mins apart lasting 20-30 secs for most of the night. I ended up calling paul at work at midnight which freaked him out a little. I told him not to worry but something was happening and to please not have after work drinks and come straight home.

Paul arrived home at around 2am and we timed the contractions together for an hour or so and they seemed to be 3 mins apart still lasting 20-30 seconds. I still questioned myself as to whether 'this was it' or not so I called delivery and was told not to come in unless I felt I was not coping any more and at that stage I was so I told Paul to go to bed and messaged Cara (our doula) to let her know something was happening. I spent the night trying my hardest to sleep but the cramping was painful and consistent enough to keep me from sleep. I spent the night on a mattress in the lounge room listening to my calm birth relaxation and in and out of the bath.

By morning things were the same. Cara arrived at around lunchtime to offer me support, I sent Paul out to get me some fruit and nuts to munch on and had a chat with Cara & we decided it would be a good idea to go for a walk to try and get things moving. As I was coping and things weren't really happening just yet cara went home and I was to call her as soon as I felt I needed her.

At around 5pm on Saturaday 15th I really felt I needed to know how I was going and that it was time to go the hospital. If I was not dilated I would just come home again and the contractions were really starting to bite and could not sit through them.

to be continued....