The Birth of Asuka-Marie Caitlyn Newell

Our baby was conceived after 3 months of trying. I can remember taking the test while Dan was in the shower. I rushed over to him and asked him if he wanted to be a daddy. He gave me this awesome smile and I gave him a big kiss! I was so excited! Admittedly I did another test just to make sure. We went for some blood tests to confirm everything was going well. Dan took me to his family doctor who was very excited for the both of us.

I kept our pregnancy a secret from everyone for a while. We wanted to tell people in person rather than calling. I set up a dinner for my parents on the Gold Coast where we anxiously awaited to tell them. We even took a really nice bottle of champagne. I thought that would give it away. We were a little scared of what the reactions would be like but they were really great. My dad surprised me the most. He had this huge smile on his face. I also remember my mother almost crying and calling her mum, which in turn asked her, “Couldn’t he keep his dick in his pants.” You have to laugh at that one! It's ok Nan! I know you were just surprised!

Just before we found out we were pregnant, Dan had accepted a position in Adelaide and we were already getting organised to move. It was a little daunting but we were both up to the challenge.

Once in Adelaide we began to bond closer to each other. The pregnancy wasn’t easy for me mentally as I was often left alone to deal with the issues. I was very fortunate to have essentialbaby forums to help me through it all. There was countless times I could just tell the girls in my due in group what was troubling me and they would let me know everything I felt was normal and not to stress about it. It was a real life saver.

The 22^nd of February was my first trip to the hospital as I was having 5 min apart contractions for about 3-4 hours. They weren’t that painful and had a heap of pressure. I called the hospital about 4 times and they thought if I came in they’d be able to tell me what’s happening. We left about 5am. Once we got there I had a VE and put on a monitor and they told me that I was having ‘tightenings’ and because I was 35 weeks by their charts I was admitted and put under a close eye. I argued with them at this point as I’d always known the dates were wrong, and we had recently had a sizing scan done. Never received the results but the midwife on duty told us that baby was measuring 36 weeks + at 3.6kilos. We stayed in the hospital all day and finally got to go home about 9pm. After another internal they told me I had effaced by about .5cm. They then kept trying to shove Panadine Forte down my throat. Eventually they said if we took it we could go home. So I took the meds and passed out. I woke up at 9pm when they let me go home. I felt like absolute crap after the Panadine Forte. I was really pissed off with the hospital.

The next couple of days I scoured the internet for an acupuncturist to help me out. I was still having the ‘tightenings’ and was getting really annoyed. I finally found a Lea Papworth, who is a certified midwife as well. Her first treatment was amazing! I felt so rejuvenated. I was on strict instructions to go home and sleep. So I did. I had another two appointments before I went onto labour on her table. She advised me to go home and wait for the contractions to intensify before heading into the hospital.

Our 2^nd trip to the hospital was on the 27^th of February. I was sent in for monitoring and had 4 min apart contractions with a decent pain level. Was given a internal and was told I had completely effaced. I was pretty happy with that although I was hoping something more would’ve happened. After the internal baby was upset and was moving around quite a bit, which sent my contractions into an inconsistent motion. I was sent home.

Dan started taking time off work to comfort me as it was all getting too much. We went for long walks to try and make the contractions harder and more regular. It would work but then they’d die off after a couple of hours and go back to irregulars. It was really annoying! I had no idea that in a few days I’d be a mummy!

It started on the 5^th of March. While trolling my favourite EB thread (my DIG) I noticed on the “Most recent forum topics” a student MW looking for a pregnancy to follow. Now ever since I found out we were pregnant I’d been looking for a student MW to be present. I really wanted someone else in the room that I could rely on seeing as I wouldn’t have friends or family around for the occasion. This is where I met Megan. I let her know that I was interested and that I had an OBS appointment that afternoon if she’d like to meet us. Megan was more than happy to attend and we met her at the hospital around 4.30pm. OBS appointment started really disappointing with no change in cervix and OBS not really liking the idea of induction. I was begging for a size scan to see what baby was doing, OBS agreed with this and called them upstairs. Well, lucky for us they had an opening there and then so we went straight up for a scan. It was amazing to see her on the ultrasound again, she put on a show playing with her toes. It was very cute! Surprise, surprise! Baby measured 2 weeks ahead AGAIN with an est. weight of 4.2kg!!!! Well as soon as OBS heard this she arranged for an induction the next night at 7pm. We were so thrilled that we decided to go out to dinner and celebrate! We even made love for the last time as a couple.

4.00am I woke up with a weird feeling. This is what I remember of the morning...

I felt leaking and decided to go to the bathroom. I stood up and fluid just started flowing down my legs. I cursed and ran to the bathroom. I was still half asleep and when I got to the toilet that’s when I realised my waters had broken. I was shocked, surprised and excited! I then realised I had to wake up Dan so I chucked a piece of toilet paper between my legs and ran back to the bedroom. I leant over, shaking him saying “Hunny get up, my waters have broken”. And my response was, “Have you called the hospital yet?” Dan then rolls over and goes back to sleep, while I run back to the bathroom as the toilet paper has soaked through! It was never ending! I didn’t know where all the maternity pads had been stashed so toilet paper had to do. I remember calling the hospital and sounding a little too excited. Now the weird thing is the MW actually told me that if I wasn’t getting induced they would keep me at home for a couple of days until the contractions became unbearable. I was very confused seeing as everyone had said (including DR, OBS and MW) that as soon as your waters break go to hospital to get checked out! Anyway, because I was going to get induced that night anyway they told me to have some breakfast, shower and head on in. I then jumped onto EB in my excitement to let everyone know that it was finally happening! After 2 antagonising weeks something happened on its own!

So we have a shower and forgot the breakky, both grinning like idiots! Messaged Megan (student MW) on the way to the hospital to let her know. Didn’t want to wake her up too early! Get to the hospital and put on monitoring, which is always fun. Internal showed that there was no change in dilation, same as yesterday. There was some talk of sending me home, as I was having irregular contractions (what was new?), but they ended up taking me to delivery.

I have got the full record of what exactly happened from Megan (thank you :)) Some of which I really don’t remember! So here is my long drawn out labour! I’ve added in my little comments along the way.

09:30 -   spoke to midwife in delivery suite who advised Jade was still in early labour with irregular contractions (e.g.:  2 strong, one weak, one mild).  Jade was still talking through contractions and having hourly OBS (checkups) and a VE (internal) scheduled for 11:30.

At this point of time Dan and I were just talking, listening to music and watching pictures of family and friends on the laptop. I remember having quite strong contractions and just breathing through them. I don’t actually think they got much ‘painful’ from here, and was determined to keep a smile on my face for the whole labour!

11:20 - shows 2cm dilated, 1.5cm length, .5cm thickness and firm.

Was kind of disappointed at the 2cm dilation. I’d been doing so much work for the last 6 or so hours. Contractions were getting a bit more regular. Was starting to get a bit tired but determined to go drug free and to smile the whole way!

12:00 - syntocin administered IV 10iu 6/1, 12/2, 18/3 15 min OBS, 4 hourly temperature and fluid intake and output monitored

This is where things got interesting. They told me they were going to administer syntocin but only in a tiny dose. They believed that my body just needed that little extra to kick start. So I was stuck to an IV. The contractions really started kicking in closer together and although it wasn’t more ‘painful’ it was just more tiring. I remember labouring on the toilet for ages and when not there I was labouring on the fitness ball and resting my arms on the bed. This for me was the hardest part of the whole labour. You’ll see why... (I don’t really understand the medical term above either :) )

13:00 - Active labour began

Or so says the hospital... As far as I’m concerned I’d laboured a lot longer than this!!!

14:10 - trace on belt not picking up bubs heart rate effectively so looking at putting on a trace.  4 contractions in 10 minutes – 50sec length

Ah I almost forgot about the stupid belt I’d had on all day!!  Oh my goodness that was THE most annoying thing EVER! Baby’s head was so far down that someone had to constantly hold onto it. And the straps really hurt my back. Really, hurt my back!

14:15 - Clip put on babies head to monitor heart rate. No change in cervix from earlier Jade started to use Nitrous

Oh ok, remember how I said that before was the hardest part. I was wrong. So very wrong. I had put this part out of my mind. They told me they needed to put a clip on the baby’s head to keep constant monitoring of her heartbeat. But the thing was, I was only 2cm dilated! Someone had to get their hand/finger in far enough to attach this thing onto her head. The MW told me a DR was going to do it. But then found a MW willing to ‘attempt’ it. I was too far into my contractions to really understand what was going to happen. As soon as she started feeling around in there DURING a contraction I lost it. I started bawling my eyes out and started feeling so out of control. Up until now I hadn’t had any pain relief apart from my wonderful Dan’s massages and support. The pain was excruciating! I remember someone handing me nitrous oxide and I just sucked on that thing as hard as possible. I couldn’t cry and breathe through the contractions, I needed help. What made things worse was the woman pulled out completely and asked if I was ok, then went back in! Stupid woman! After she left I started feeling a bit better. Now attached to another machine, I wasn’t able to use the shower. I went back to my ball and laboured on some more.

14:45 - Obstetrician attends Jade – happy to monitor and reassess later

Yeah don’t really remember this happening... Wait, yes I do! This was the internal that said, Jade your cervix hasn’t dilated at all. Still... I felt really disheartened.

15:00 - midwife spoke to JES about possibility of epidural as contractions getting stronger and not as bearable

Ok this was where I waived the white flag. I had now been labouring for what... 9 hours? (I don’t care what they say, non-active labour is still hard work!) I’d been awake for almost 12 hours, I was tired, HUNGRY (I wasn’t allowed to eat all day!) and really over it. They were even talking about possible c/section if I didn’t start dilating soon. So while they were trying to talk me into the epidural I just told them to do it. I had enough.

15:10 - Anaesthetist spoke to Jade who agreed to have an epidural to allow body to relax and further dilation.

Yeah yeah yeah...

15:25 - Epidural put in.  118/62 BP after being administered. (BP TO BE CHECKED EVERY 15 MINUTES FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN IF OKAY CHECKED EVERY 30 MINUTES.  REPEAT WITH EVERY TOP UP) Liquor clear throughout labour

Ok this was a HORRIBLE experience as well. Try having contractions every 2 or so minutes while someone asks you to stay still. Pfft. Had so much nitrous that I *almost* passed out. If I didn’t have Dan yelling at me I would’ve easily passed out. I remember making a conscious decision to open my eyes. If I didn’t I knew I was going to pass out. I don’t know what the clear liquor is about.

16:13 - JES dozing and resting well.  Contractions continuing at 4 in 10.  Syntocin continuing at 12/2

This is where I get my well deserved rest. I slept like a baby.

17:00 - Contractions continuing at 4 in 10.  Jade still resting comfortably and quietly.  4 hourly VE if all continues

I was asleep...

17:35 - Further IV antibiotics administered via canula for Strep B.

Oh yeah, had that drug in me as well. I had so many drugs administered. I felt like a pharmacy!

18:00 - Catheter put in and fluid drained

Now I forgot about this one. That was just weird!

18:15 - Obstetrician attends to check progress.  3cm dilated with slight thinning.  Cervix thin and stretchy.  Happy to wait 2 hours to see progression and then reassess

Oh Yay! This is when I really got upset. 3 hours with epidural and 1cm dilation. Go me! Talked about possible c/section with Dan. We were really just wanting baby out happy and healthy. To hell with everything else.

18:50 – Epidural topped up as starting to feel the contractions again

Why not? It was comfortable, and if I got 1cm every 3 hours that’s a bonus...

19:40 – Syntocin upped to 18/2

19:50 – further Epidural top up

21:00 – midwife change of shift

New midwife and OBS talk about preparing for c/sec if next internal showed no improvement. Was preparing myself for the operation mentally. Dan was fantastic and very supportive.

21:30 – Jade not feeling well – Ranitidine given for heartburn and Tropisetron given for nausea

I was STARVING!

21:40 – Epidural top up given and slight blood stain in liquor

20:05 – Further examination by Obstetrician.  Fully dilated (+1 in contractions).  Given another hour to allow baby to move down further and allow some of the epidural to wear off for pushing.  Cephalic presentation, position ROA

Holy Hell this was the best damn moment in my life! (At that point of time) I was promised I could push with no epidural so waited until I could feel again. Was very excited and ready to meet our baby!

20:20 – JES feeling a bit ill again and starting to feel the contractions a bit more

23:15 – Pushing commences with contractions and concentrating on effective pushing.  (Ideal 3 pushes per contraction)

This was fantastic, I remember pushing as hard as I could without the drugs. It was really amazing! I felt like I was going to do a huge poo! Lovely feeling =P The only thing I can complain about is my bloody BACK! It was hurting so much!

23:23 – effective pushing is getting baby moving slightly

My baby had a big head! MW losing faith in me although I was pushing as hard as I could! Dan could see the whole thing happening because I am so short. He kept telling me how great I was doing but didn’t understand he could see the cord attached to baby’s head come out further and further each push.

00:30 – Anaesthetist attends to give further top up to allow episiotomy and possible forceps or ventouse delivery

Ok they tell me I’ll need help, although I’m damn well can feel the baby’s head right there in the pelvis! They start rushing around getting things organised and left Dan, Megan and myself to do the pushing. So while they were gone I got this whole new energy and pushed as hard as possible! They were honestly rushing around and about 4-5 new people showed up in the suite. There was us 3 then the 2 MW and 2 doctors and a DR specialising in infants and the anaesthetist. I ignored them all and pushed as hard as possible. By the time they got to me with their tools of doom, I’d almost crowned her head! DR announced I didn’t need the tools but needed an episiotomy. So they cut me! (I thought they used a scalpel but Dan informed me after it was a big pair of scissors!) Oh and my legs were in stirrups!

I don’t remember this happening but when her head had crowned I screamed for someone to record what was happening. I only found out yesterday after watching the tape!  I DO remember Dan telling me he could see the head and having a good look. I then asked if I could touch it and felt a mass of flesh covered in liquid. At the time I honestly thought it was gross. It was only a few more pushes and Asuka-Marie was born!

00:58 – Live female delivered.  Agpar scores of 6 and 9.  Breathing slightly laboured so sent to SCBU3 for observation at 0110.  Jade’s episiotomy sutured and given ice packs to reduce swelling

The pulled her from me and placed her on my chest. They cut the umbilical cord almost instantly as I’m rhesus negative, so Dan didn’t get offered to do the job.  I got this overwhelming feeling and just looked at her staring at me. The MW was on one side rubbing her with a towel while Dan was on the other kissing me and telling me how well I did. I just stayed watching her and she seemed to just stare at me. I then realised she wasn’t breathing and the MW took her away to the little infant booth they had set up in case something went wrong. Well it did go wrong. I told Dan to go see if she was ok while I just laid helplessly on the bed. Nobody said anything and they just stayed over there for what it seemed like an eternity. After a while I did hear the faintest little cry. Megan stayed with me while Dan and Asuka-Marie went to the nursery. I only saw her for a few seconds and they’d already taken her from me. I was really upset and worried, I’m so glad we had Megan with us. Thank you again!

While all that was happening I delivered the placenta, which they showed me and was very cool! And stitched me up. I have no idea how many stitches I had as they didn’t say. I can’t remember how long it took them to bring her back from the nursery but Dan brought me some footage of her in the incubator. She was gorgeous!

And that is about it. If you read this far I hope your labour isn’t as drawn out as mine was. Through all the crap though I am still really happy with my birthing experience. I did as much as physically possible and did my best. That’s all anyone can do or ask for!