Birth Story; Riley Craig Matheson

Riley's pregnancy was a complete roller coaster from start to finish. I suffered terrible SPD with him and could barley walk most days. When I was 37 weeks exactly I had started having pains so was asked to come into hospital. When I arrived and was monitored they could see I was having tightenings. The mw did an internal and told me I was 3-4cms dilated. I was in complete shock as wasn't in pain. She sent me home and told me to be prepared for labour. 

Nothing happened overnight. Or the next day. Or the next and so on. 

I phoned the unit in tears wondering why this was happening to be told; 

"When you have your second baby your automatically already a few centimetres dilated but it doesn't mean your in labour or labour is going to happen anytime soon"

I was devastated. 

I was in so much pain. I struggled to walk and couldn't even turn over in bed without my pelvis clicking and the pain was beyond excruciating. 

Craig & Kayla kept me strong and hot me through the next, very long part. 

I cried every midwife appointment about my SPD but they didn't listen, I didn't get any help or helpful advice. And on top of all this they told me he was breech and I was measuring well above dates. 

I was sent for a growth scan at 38 weeks & presentation scan too. 

He was head down and measuring around 6/6.5lbs.... 

At 41 weeks I was booked in for my sweep at the hospital. Then midwife said she was sure he was breech (again) and dates well over what they should be (again) so 'immediately' for a growth/presentation scan. 

As strange as it sounds I was SO looking forward to my sweep! I wanted this baby out. The pain was far to much and I was massive! 

Only to be told "your waters are bulging so if I give you a sweep I will risk breaking your waters, we don't want that happening so I can't give you one" 

Erm, WHO doesn't want that happening because I DO! I was so disappointed! 

I went for my scan 10 minutes later. 

AGAIN - head down! And baby measuring "8lbs at most". I got my date for induction; Monday 29th October. 

6 days from them.

All we could do now was wait.... 

Saturday 27th October; 

I was lying in bed feeling sorry for myself and in agony with my pelvis. I went to the toilet at 6pm only to discover a little bit of blood. I called MAU and they asked me to come in as I was over my dates. My friend agreed to take me and I said goodnight to Kayla & bye to Craig. I told him I'd probably be back in two hours or so. 

When we arrived at hospital I was monitored and was having some tightenings.. (That was nothing new, I'd been having them for 5 weeks!) All checks came back perfect but midwife agreed to an internal and a sweep as I was nearly at induction... FINALLY! And then "we'll let you away home and see you Monday!"

She started the internal, gave me a bloody sore sweep and told me to get myself ready while she went away to get my notes. She came back minutes later and said "your 5cms Emma so we'll just go and have a baby shall we?" 

I could have KISSED her! I was elated! Finally it was my turn to have my baby boy! 

I called Craig who couldn't believe either and was like a kid at Christmas! I called my mum and made arrangements for her to go to my house and look after my princess who was fast asleep in bed by this point and had no clue by the time she woke up she was going to be a SISTER! 

I was taken to consultant led delivery and shown to my room. I waited on Craig arriving and started panicking, remembering what was about to happen but beaming because I was going to meet my little boy soon. Craig arrived at 10.30pm, nothing much happened really. I wasn't contracting at all and was just uncomfortable. Around midnight I went to the toilet I had really heavy discharge that was tinged green so I told the midwife, she was worried it was meconium & thought my waters were leaking so she examined me again. Still 5s and waters were all still there so she broke them. Literally soaked, right though the bed, the midwife, everything... I was happy though because I thought that was why I was so massive! 

Almost immediately after my waters breaking my contractions started. Really fast and really strong. The clocks went back that night which was so confusing! 

I asked for gas and air. That sorted me out just fine! After an hour of contraction I asked for diamorphine. It didnt touch the pain and within under 2 hours I was pushing. This time I knew he was back to back, just like kayla, so I did anything they told me to try move him! 

No position worked, no matter how hard I pushed. I knew it was going to happen again only this time, things were different because Riley was comfortable and happy, not in any distress. 

The doctor came in twice and told me to keep going, even after three hours of pushing! My midwife eventually said she disagreed with the doctors decision entirely as no progress was happening. I remember looking at the clock at 5.20am and they told me to push for 10 more minutes. That felt like a year. Craig was in bits because he couldn't stand to see me in pain. After then 10 mins I screamed to get the doctor back, the poor midwife was completely on my side and I was being a right cow. The doctor came in and agreed to forceps in theatre. Finally. I signed some form and we got ready. I remember them giving Craig small stuff to wear... He's 6ft 4'.. It really made me laugh which was only a good thing. Craig got changed into bigger clothes and they wheeled me down. Taking my gas and air off me again. Just like with kayla. Worst pain in the world. 

We got into theatre at 6.30am and they gave my spinal. I changed into a different person. I was ready to chat to everyone and forgot I was about to have a baby. I had Craig beside me this time and I wasn't scared at all. I began to push once the forceps were on and with one push his head was out. I remember them telling me to push again but he wasn't coming. It's quite blurry but I remember them all shouting for me to push harder and just at that, at 6.48am, I heard his cry.... 

I looked up and saw my gorgeous, beautiful boy for the first time. 

Craig was in tears, I was in tears, it was amazing. 

The midwife said "wow, he's huge" and as I looked at him getting ready to get weighed I seen just what she meant! I nearly fainted when I realised how big he was! 

10lbs 2.5oz. 54cms. Head full of hair. 

Our gorgeous little boy. 

Kayla's little baby brother. 

Labour might not be pretty and it is the hardest thing in the world but the gift you get at the end is the best thing in the world. 

I had complications after birth but my baby boy was healthy and made a safe arrival and that was all that mattered.

My children are my world and I would do it all again for them in a heartbeat.