Heather
Welcome to the world
Edith Claire Bridgman
Born on the 1.7.2017
The birth of Edith Claire
“We have a secret in our culture,and it’s not that birth is painful.it’s that women are strong.” - Laura Stavoe Harm
29.6.2017 23.00hrs
Mucus plug show.
30.6.2017 03.00hrs
Vaginal discharge small leak of amniotic fluid.
10.50hrs
Mild contractions 3-5 min apart and lasting around 30-40 seconds. Small amount of amniotic fluid trickling and pink spotting. Managing contractions with breathing techniques and rocking movements.
11.30-1410hrs
I (Krista the Doula) arrive at Heathers place to transport Heather to the LGH labour ward for observation.
Membrane rupture of amniotic fluid is confirmed. Fetal heart monitor is attached to check baby. Mother and baby are both doing really well. Baby has engaged into the pelvis. It is confirmed that Heather is in the early stages of labour. Advised to go home and return at 8pm unless there are any major changes.
14.30hrs
Heather and I arrive home and Heather continues to manage her contractions with breathing and relaxation techniques. We take this opportunity to engage in a few of the spinning baby techniques for balance, alignment and, lengthening of the muscles and ligaments. Together we prepare chicken soup for dinner and Heather has a snack of Honey on toast later in the evening.
Contractions 3-5 min apart. Heather is keeping hydrated-sipping water. Focusing on her ability to relax her body and mind and to just be in the moment.
17.00hrs
Laying on her side while resting on the couch Heather has a substantial amniotic fluid rupture. Contractions are building in intensity. One contraction shoots straight up Heathers back.
17.45hrs
Make our way by car to the LGH.Before we drive out of the street Heather experiences another major gush. Take two of heading to the hospital.
20.00hrs -22.00hrs
Met Lyndsay at the LGH after hours side doors and head up to labour ward. Directed to the observation room where all medical checks and examinations are performed by a midwife and obstetrician.
Due to a very busy evening in labour ward we have a two hour wait until a delivery suite is available. Heather and baby are both doing well. Contractions are 2-3 mins apart. As the discomfort of labour is increasing, Heather finds the most comfortable position is kneeling on the bed with elbows resting on a pillow which we place over the elevated bedhead. Heather is Keeping up her fluids. We use relaxation measures to help Heather manage her contractions. These include massage with clary sage, acupressure and a heat pack for her stomach.
Heather, Lyndsay and I discuss the birth plan. We are all up to speed with Heathers preferences.
Spirits are high. We are all excited knowing that in the next 24hours baby Bridgman is going to make her entrance.
It’s been 18hrs since Heather’s membranes ruptured so an antibiotic is administered through an IV into Heathers hand to combat a risk of infection. This antibiotic will be administered every four hours during labour.
22.00hrs continued
Internal examination confirms dilation is between 2-3cm. Moving to a private labour suite.
30.6.2017 23.15hrs – 1.7.2017 03.00hrs
Heather is in bed lying on her side.
Heather and the baby are being checked regularly by the midwives.
These checks include:
Heathers blood pressure, temperature and heart rate monitored.
The strength of contractions, how often they happen, and how long they last are recorded.
Fetal heart monitor is attached to heathers Stomach. Continuously recording baby’s heart rate. It also records uterine contractions and baby’s movements simultaneously with the baby’s heart rate.
Morphine injection administered to take the edge off the pain. Morphine can help reduce anxiety and improve the mother’s ability to cope with painful contractions.
Heather is frequently emptying her bladder and thus changing positions.
Lights are dimmed.
We make sure Heather is keeping hydrated and eating healthy snacks.
Hypnobirthing positive affirmation CD is playing softly in the background.
Comfort measures performed by Lyndsay and myself include:
Massage with clary side throughout contractions concentrating on Heathers lower back.
Acupressure on the lower back, buttocks and soles of the feet.
30.6.2017 23.15hrs – 1.7.2017 03.00hrs continued
Use of encouraging and comforting words.
Reminders of Hypnobirthing, yoga breathing and relaxation techniques.
Heather is Lying in bed on her side and inhaling the gas (nitrous oxide) through a breathable apparatus. Nitrous oxide can provide some pain relief during labour and is harmless to mother and baby.
Continuing to keep Heather hydrated and offering snacks
04.00hrs
A bit of nausea hits.
I offer Heather some peppermint oil on a cotton ball to inhale, as it is known to ease the symptoms associated with nausea.
Not sure if it is was effective or if the nausea eased on its own.
04.10hrs
Indigestion.
Midwife administers antacid liquid and tablets.
Dr Helen Esdale performs an Internal examination.
Internal examination indicates the cervix has dilated to 5cm.
05.30hrs
Dr Helen Esdale makes the call to replace the external fetal heart monitor with an internal one that will attach tiny wires to baby’s head so that a higher level of consistency and a more accurate reading can be achieved.
One external monitor remains on Heather to keep track of her vitals.
05.30hrs continued
Observations are routinely completed.
Heather is lying on her side working through her contractions with the gas.
Lyndsay and I apply continuous massage and offer emotional support.
A second morphine injection is administered.
06.30hrs
Syntocinon drip is dispensed through an IV to help intensify Heather’s contractions and encourage labour to progress into active labour.
A Midwife is now present at all times due to the medical interventions.
We are using the same comfort measures. Offering water and snacks.
Frequent change of position and moving around when going to the toilet.
Listening to the hypnobirthing CD.
06.40hrs
Contractions are coming on strong now that the Syntocinon has kicked in.
Heather request an epidural to manage the intensity and extreme discomfort she is now feeling.
Anesthetist “Larry” comes to the rescue and prepares and administers an epidural for Heather. A catheter is also inserted into Heathers bladder.
An epidural is a special type of anesthetic. It numbs the nerves that carry the pain from the birth canal to the brain. In most women, an epidural gives complete pain relief. It can be helpful for women who are having a long and particularly painful labour like Heather’s.
08.30hrs
Heather is now comfortable and resting catching up on some well needed sleep.
08.55hrs
Lyndsay and I take turns having power naps on the pull-out chair with a pillow and blanket.
Internal examination indicates the cervix has dilated to 6cm.
12.00hrs
Contractions 1-2 minutes apart but not lasting as long as the midwives would like.
Heather is resting as the epidural has taken effect.
12.35hrs
5-6 strong contractions in 10 minutes.
Heather and baby are tracking on nicely.
13.50hrs
Internal examination indicates the cervix has dilated to 9cm.
Baby is presenting in a posterior position.
Hopefully stronger contractions will encourage baby to rotate.
Internal examination establishes that baby has some hair and is happy to have her head tickled (which is a good sign that baby is happy).
The examination also brings to light that baby has some swelling on the top of her head.
14.40hrs
The epidural is losing its effectiveness in places, and Heather is feeling a lot of pain on one side of her bottom.
Lyndsay and I start massaging Heather’s bottom through contractions in the hope we can ease her discomfort.
15.00hrs
Internal examination at 3pm established that baby has rotated into a left occiput transverse position. Baby now has her head to the side.
Cervix has dilated to 9cm.
15.40hrs
The epidural is weakening in places. Heather can feel the contractions in her bottom and back.
Lyndsay and I are massaging these areas through each contraction.
Hypnobirthing CD is playing.
Offering water.
Trying to keep Heather relaxed as possible with positive talk and reminders to focus on relaxation and breathing techniques.
Indigestion has come back with a vengeance. It seems to be taking a while for the midwife to return with the medication.
Heather is finding no relief from the gas.
Heather decides the gas must be a placebo.
The mix of indigestion, failing epidural and no relief from the gas has Heather for the first time feeling agitated.
16.00hrs
Larry returns to top up the epidural.
After about 20min the epidural takes effect.
17.10hrs
Internal examination confirms that the cervix has fully dilated to 10cm
17.10hrs continued
Contractions are strong and frequent.
The aim now is for the contractions to be forceful enough to encourage baby to turn her head into an anterior position for birth.
Baby is still exhibiting signs of swelling on her head.
Dr Esdale is happy with the progress that Heather has made.
Come 18.00hr Heather has been informed that she can start pushing.
17.15hrs
The epidural has lost some of its effect.
Heather has the instinctive urge to bear down and push her baby out.
17.20hrs
The 18.00hrs plan is abolished and Heather is given the all clear to follow her body’s natural instincts.
17.20-19.50hrs
Heather is elevated into a semi reclined position on the bed for the second stage of labour.
Lyndsay and I each hold one of Heathers hands.
Heathers feet are positioned in a foot hold for support.
The contractions and the overwhelming desire to bear down are very strong and painful.
The hope is that these strong contractions will encourage baby to turn her head and tuck her chin so that she can fit through the pelvis and into the birth canal.
Heather explains that the sensation she is experiencing feels like nerve pain.
17.20-19.50hrs continued
The second stage of labour is hard work.
Heather is making every contraction count.
Heather is doing an amazing job of giving it her all, finding strength and resilience even when she thinks she has nothing left give.
Lyndsay and I support and encourage Heather through this period by:
Breathing with her through each and every contraction
Reminding her rest when she can between contractions
Staying calm
Listening to what Heather wants and helping with communication between her and the caregivers
Wiping Heathers forehead with a cool cloth
Offering fluids to keep Heather hydrated.
20.00hrs
Dr Esdale returns to perform an internal to check. Baby has not made any progress.
Options are discussed for helping this little girl have a smoother entry into the world.
Options include:
Topping up the epidural for the procedures
Having a really good try at manually trying to rotate baby’s head (Note…. Dr Esdale has gently tried to encourage baby to rotate her head without much success in previous internal examinations)
Using forceps for an assisted vaginal delivery.
20.00hrs continued
A vacuum assisted device to help guide baby out of the birth canal.
Caesarean section, deliver baby through a surgical incision in Heather’s abdomen and uterus.
These options are discussed with Heather.
It is clear that baby will need assistance to be delivered safely. Heather understands her options and consents to be taken to theatre.
Only one support person is permitted to accompany Heather to theatre. Lyndsay takes the reigns from here on and stays by Heathers side for emotional support and guidance.
The manual rotation is unsuccessful. Other methods are discussed with Heather and Lyndsay.
The decision is made that the safest option for this little girl to be born, without any injury or distress, will be by performing a caesarean section.
20.51hrs
Introducing Edith Claire Bridgman.
Delivered by a cesarean section at 20.51hrs on the 1.7.2017.
Weight- 4.154kg.
Length-52cm.
Head circumfrance-35.5cm.
Edith is a beautiful baby. Alert and very interested in the breast and all it has to offer.
Welcome to the world Edith Claire Bridgman! It’s been waiting for you xxx