New baby has arrived!

Short version – Sebastian Craig Jia Hong Slayford-Wei was born Sunday 5^th June weighing 7lb 3 ounces at 9.10pm.

Long version – (very long)

According to Birmingham’s Women’s Hospital I was due on the 19^th May although different hospitals gave me different dates (23^rd and 28^th May) but we had to go by the 19^th anyway. So on Tuesday 31^st May I went into hospital for my induction.

Tuesday –

Got into hospital around 2pm and had pessery inserted – mine was so uncomfortable that I actually screamed! (OK, I’m a wuss) I was one cm dilated already, woo hoo! Contractions started not long after although I barely felt them. Hubby & mum left and I got into pj’s and just relaxed for the evening.

Wednesday –

Got pessery checked out around 2pm – still only one cm dilated so back goes in the pessery. They can’t break my waters until I’m at least two cm dilated. I was so upset that I started crying. Hubby thought I was being silly but I couldn’t help it.

At midnight they checked my pessery again and I was only 1.5cm dilated but they said that would OK enough to break my waters. Had to go on a list along with several others to have the same done.

Thursday –

Midwives told us on the ward that people who are waiting to go down to the Delivery Ward are put on a list in order of priority and that emergencies – women who go into spontaneous labour or who have poorly babies inside – go before us. So, for those who are not in labour but are overdue, we get to wait around in the wards twiddling our thumbs. Oh what fun.

Thursday night I started having stronger contractions but they died out after an hour and half.

Friday –

Was first on the list since they counted that I was 15 days overdue. However, at least 4 emergencies came in so I couldn’t go down, even though the doctor assured me that I was going down. Got really upset and threatened to leave. Refused to eat any more of the hospital food – gross is an understatement.

Saturday –

Now 16 days overdue, the doctors assured me that I was going down to Delivery Suite because it was considered unsafe for me and baby to go any further. However I did not believe that I was going down so it was a surreal feeling when I was actually taken down.

Got examined, had waters broken and had the oxytocin drip set up straightaway. Contractions started thick and fast and I loved the gas and air. I don’t really remember much but I do remember the anaesthetist getting his back up when I started swearing at him when he was doing my epidural. However, the epidural didn’t work.

Sunday –

Got a shot of pethidine which I do remember hurt like hell. In the morning my mum came to the hospital. Mum and hubby convinced me to have another epidural which I agreed to. I screamed for my mum whilst that was being done. But at least this one worked and I managed to get some rest.

However, by the afternoon my blood pressure was dropping and fast. I barely remember but I think the doctors mentioned something about a blood transfusion but I can’t be sure. Baby’s heartbeat was dropping as well, plus when they checked how far along I was, guess how far I was … 2 cm!!!!! Sebastian was clearly not coming out and with the blood pressure issue they made the decision to take me in for an emergency caesarean after 28 hours of labour.

I was wheeled into theatre and they got my Little Dragon out. He was 18.5 inches long and weighed 7lb 3 oz. He is simply perfect and has incredibly long fingers and toes! We are now home and I am still in a lot of pain when I get out of bed, but I’m glad to be back at home with my little man.