Did you feel at the time it was the right thing
to do Cas? There were elements that made up your particular set of
circumstances at that time, and part of that was you feeling what
was the right thing to do at that time with your unique situation. A good
friend of mine woke up one morning (her baby was 42 weeks) and she felt a
sense of urgency that her babe had to be born that day. The babe was moving
well, felt to have a good amount of amniotic fluid around it, was also head
down and seemingly 'ready to go' and had felt like that for ages. My
friend thinks she would STILL be in there because she seemed so happy,
but something told her the baby had to come out that day, because.....and she
doesn't know what the because was, just that it had to happen.(Born at
home)
Another mother was 42 + 2 and had a similar
labour to the one you describe Cas, not a lot of amniotic fluid on palpation,
good movements. She ruptured her membranes and there was quite heavy meconium
staining (first babe). Contractions stayed at 5 mins, after a day she opted
for epidural, and within an hour went from 3 cm to fullu open, gave birth
gently to a very 'flat' baby and loads of heavy meconium following his body
out. He did need extensive resusc but is fine. Born in hosp, but
planned homebirth - transfer during labour and treated with care and respect -
I only add this because of the reception women can get of they are more than
42weeks. Very happy with care.
Another similar to the woman above (42 +2)and she
went to theatre for a caesarean, because her babe was getting unhappy in her
labour (also 5 minutely all night and 2 cm cervix). Lots of mec and nursery
care for 5 days. Born in hosp but planned homebirth, also transferred to hosp,
but treated with care and respect. Very happy with care.
Or Sally on Sunday night - 42 + 5 (definite
dates), on and off labour for a few days, got going on Sunday afternoon - long
labour for her (first babe quick labour and birth). This little man was OP,
deflexed and stayed that way until being born. Ruptured membranes 1 hr before
birth, clear liquor, but very squeezy shoulders. Came out with some help, and
doing beautifully - an old soul in a new body!
Four of many stories Cas - each with their own
set of circumstances, and these women also reflected (and continue to do so),
on what might have happened had things been different.
Catch up soon :-)
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:10
AM
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] effects of
contractions on the fetus???
that refers to
the increased moulding of the fetal head, the increased possibility of cord
compression and a possible decrease in pH as a result with ruptured
membranes.
Six months after Dan's birth, this is something I wonder about... I
was 17 days past my due date, ripe cervix, head well down in pelvis and in
anterior position (had been posterior for a week and a half with ctx getting
to five minutes then stopping), had good foetal movements but sometimes got
a bit worried if I didn't feel anything for a couple of hours, had no
amniotic fluid whatsoever, the sonogram at 16 days PD showed chord
wrapped around bub's neck and a tiny bit of amniotic fluid in bub's
stomach, no foetal distress but a slightly lowered heartrate (around 90 to
110 average when not active), was having ctx but nothing regular at
that stage... was my baby likely to go into distress if I tried to birth him
normally? At that stage the only choices offered to me were induction with
half strength prost., no syntoncinon or scheduled caesarean... I feel like I
should have waited a couple more days but I realise that you can only make
decisions based on the circumstances you are in. I didn't want to induce
with no amniotic fluid.
Thing is, he came out with perfect appearance (no postmaturity) and
perfect lung function and near perfect Apgars 8 and 9. There was some green
mec. staining on placenta and a couple of calcium deposits and bub's head
showed signs of moulding.
I
would really like to know if I had any other choice? Please be brutally
honest. Did I just give in to the pressure or did I make a choice that saved
my baby's life?
I
am really grieving this at the moment and it would help to understand
things better.
Cheers,
Cas.
Cas McCullough
