Birth stories - PAIL Monthly Theme...

I've had two c-sections. Both were planned due to different reasons, but both ended up as emergency c-sections. 

When we found out I was finally pregnant with James, I was hoping for a natural birth. I was open minded about pain relief and medical intervention but I was also hoping this would be a last resort. I still believe that inducing a labour and certain pain relief (like epidurals) can slow down a labour and end up in a c-section, so I wanted to avoid these. I tried to eat right, excerise and talked to BJ about my plans for birth. Then around 30 weeks I had an ultrasound to check James' heart (which turned out to be fine) only to find out I had stage three placenta previa. My plans went out the window. Iwas scheduled for a c-section at thirty-nine weeks, only to start bleeding at thirty-eight weeks four days, which ended up in an emergency c-section. I still had a great birth experience and was over joyed at meeting our much loved little boy. 

When we found out about the placenta previa I was partly worried about going into early labour, having something happen to James and having a hysterectomy. But I was also slightly relieved. That there was no pressure on me to naturally deliver this baby. It's weird but even though I wanted a natural birth I was secretly worried I would 'fail' during labour and end up with a c-section. Now I had an excuse. 

When James was eight months, I found out I was pregnant again. I was in two frames of mind, try again for a natural birth or go for a planned c-section. I had a look at the risks of a VBAC, spoke to a lot of woman that had had a c-section the first time around and woman that had a vaginal birth. And how would we organise James when the time came to have the baby. I decided the sixteen months it would be, between births wasn't long enough for me to attempt a VBAC so I was booked in for another scheduled c-section. Five weeks until my due date (four weeks until scheduled c-section date) and I went into early labour. Four centermeters in and again I'm asked if I still want to go ahead with the c-section. All I can think about is the risks of having a VBAC and I know I'm not in the right frame of mind to push this baby out. I ask for the c-section.

I don't whether I have ever felt judged about having a c-section. I usually make light about it and say something like, "I got a sunroof installed" or "I'm too posh to push" or give my reasons for the c-sections. I think any regret I had about it, in my mind, has been compensated by the amount of pressure I placed on myself to breastfeed both boys. But at the end of the day, my boys are here safe and don't regret how they entered the world. 

Eight months...

Dear Patch

Once again I'm late for your monthly post. Did you know that I was born TEN days after my due date (something your Nanna reminds me of every year!), therefore I was destined to be late for everything in life but have a great excuse!

But back to your eighth month. Wow little guy you are moving now! You have worked out rolling plus doing a bit of pushing with your legs can get you most places. And your hand-eye coordination has improved out of sight, with most things left on the floor straight in your mouth! 

You've had a couple of firsts this month. Now that's getting warmer we have started swimming lessons! You loved your first time in a pool! Unfortunately the second and third times didn't go so great but you'll get better!

  

This month we moved you out of the capsule into a rear-facing car seat. You can see around you so much better, which means little conversations with your big brother and giggles coming from the back seat. Enough to make your Mumma's heart melt!

And lastly it was the first time you tried formula. We'll start weaning at the end of November and I'm nearly out of expressed breastmilk. So one Saturday when I had to go out, Dadda gave you your first taste of formula. You drank it down with no problems! Such a relief! I'm always worried about tampering with things like food and getting a bad reaction but you were great. So now we will go down the weaning path in less than a month, when you are around nine months and hopefully be finished by the end of the year. I don't like to rush so it's easy on both of us. A little part of me is looking forward to having my body back for the first time in nearly years (longer if you include TTC) but there is a little sadness since you'll be the last baby I'll nurse and that part of my life is over. 

You continue to be a great eater, happy to eat what ever we put in front of you. Such a change from your brother. We've tried most proteins and vegetables and now are moving up to have a small bit of our family dinners so you get a taste of what you'll be eating once you get teeth!

Your sleep continues to be good too with just the odd night of restlessness. Usually due to congestion, you just can't seem to shake the stuffy nose and phlem build up. Naps are good one week and ordinary the next depending upon when you wake up in the morning. Usually around 6am, since that's when Dadda gets up but sometimes you are up as early as 5:30am! You usually have two naps a day, anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours long. You are a thumb sucker, just like James, and prefer to sleep on your tummy or side. 

The interactions between you and your brother continue to grow with James giving you plenty of kisses and cuddles or giving you a toy to play with. You just love your big brother and are happy to sit and watch him run around with a big grin on your face!

You are such a gorgeous smiley guy and a lovely baby. I can't wait to see what the next month brings as you get closer to the big 1!!!

Love always

Mumma

The Monday Snapshot...

Now that Patchy is sitting up for longer periods and grabbing everything in sight, means that my two boys are almost playing together! Sure James is trying to keep everything together and in order, while Patchy just grabs whatever he can get a hold of and give it a quick chew, but it's almost playing right!

Wordless Wednesday...

Wordless Wednesday...