35 Weeks, 6 Days ~ Birth Story! Sunday was just an ordinary day. Lionel was on nights so we both stayed in bed until late, then watched the cricket test between New Zealand and South Africa that afternoon. While Lionel was having a shower and getting ready for work at 5 pm, I was getting his dinner ready when my waters broke!!! I sat on the loo, not able to get off it as the water was pouring out, and I was laughing and crying. I was in shock, and slowing realising what this actually meant. We rang Lesley, and she said to go to the hospital for a check. I did not really realise that this was it. I thought I would be put on bedrest or something like that. I still had a week of work to go and then a four-week holiday where I would be able to sleep in, shop and visit all my friends!!!! Being 35 weeks, I had to have IV antibiotics to protect Adam from infection, and if I did not go into spontaneous labour by 5 pm on Monday, I would be induced. I had to stay the night in hospital, which in hindsight really upset me, as I had my first contraction at midnight, and Lionel was not able to be with me. I couldn't believe that we had been through everything together to get this far, and he wasn't allowed to stay now. ADVERTISEMENT Anyway, by 8 am, I was 4 cm dilated even though I was only having one contraction an hour. I had a huge one at midday that took my breath away, so I was sent to delivery suite where Lesley started IV syntocinon at 1 pm to get me in established labour. After about 10 minutes, the contractions arrived with a force and very soon they were 5 minutes apart. I must have sucked the hospital dry of the gas, and the massage, cold towels and water that Lionel gave me were heaven. I felt like I had lost control as the gas made me unaware of what was happening around me. At 4:30 pm, I said to Lionel that I didn't think I could cope with just the gas any more. Lesley said wait until 5 pm when she would do an internal and see how dilated I was. About 10 minutes later I needed to push like anything and 20 minutes later Adam was born at 5:06 pm on February 15. He was 35 weeks, 6 days gestation and he was finally here with us. His weight was 2.370 grams (5 lbs, 3 1/2 oz) and he was perfect!!!! I had only a small tear and needed one stitch; the local stung like crazy but then it kicked in and I couldn't feel anything. As Adam was little and young, he got a little cold and needed regular feeds. We tried a breastfeed, then a bottle feed, then a cup feed, but he was just too immature and tired to feed. Then he started grunting and getting into a bit of trouble with this breathing, so he went to the neonatal unit where he stayed for 10 days. We took him home on Wednesday, February 25 and have not looked back. He is so cute and such a perfect baby. We still have not got a routine, and he is demand breastfed. He weighs about 6 lbs now and is a month old. Yesterday was his due date - that was a bit weird to have him being a month old when he was actually due. Now one journey has finished and another starts. I felt a bit robbed about not being able to have my holiday and get my energy up as well as getting the house ready for Adam's arrival, but I wouldn't change anything. I love our little boy and look forward to our journey as a family - all 3 of us!!! Thanks to all who have emailed me during my journey. I have enjoyed my pregnancy and look forward to being able to do it again. We have four eggs still frozen so in the future, fingers are crossed for a brother or sister for our little boy Adam. March 30 ~ I have had major problem sending this entry to StorkNet hence the large time delay. Adam is now 6 weeks old and weighs 7 lb, 4 oz. He slept through the night for the first time last night (from 9 p.m. to 4:45 am ) but I awoke every hour because I was worried about him and had to check on him. This cot death is a horrible thing, and I still worry about him. He is filling out beautifully and is fixing and focusing on objects. Last Thursday he did his first smile and "goo" ~ what a star!!!! Donna's Index  |  birth announcement return to Donna's main page StorkNet Home | return to top family planning | pregnancy | parenting | family life | for fun | shopping | tools | community Copyright © 1998 Donna Neal. All rights reserved. Site Design by StorkNet Please read our disclaimer and privacy policy. Your feedback is always welcome.