Laying on the lounge another sharp pain wrenches through my 33 week pregnant belly, contractions erratic one moment. Next id be screaming hunched over next then I’d be laughing just holding my tummy playing second life, oh for those inept on the virtual worlds that accustom our modern day lifestyles, that would be exactly as states “a second chance of life just in form of a avatar….’ Having had 2 children previously I knew this wasn’t normal, well the “normal way the progression of labor went” yet my ultra sound a few days earlier said everything was fine hunky doory all that bullshit. I'm only 33weeks and booked in for a C-section at 38weeks. The scheduled C-section was due as my second born was breached and refused to turn around. So like her characteristics, stubborn and independent. I was given the choice to attempt labor, which may or may not be successful or I can schedule a C-section. Well I’m the kinda of girl that cries with the cold however when I look at the past now, natural birth is way easier then a C-section. I think the fact the pain had C-sections know can be managed after the fact was the part that comforted me.
After enduring 3 days of Chronic contractions, bruising on the exterior of my stomach, slight meconium stained discharge Brad made me attend the hospital. I was made to feel like shit. They’d placed me on the monitor which is known s a CTG demonstrated my contractions and the fact the baby wasn't responding but chose to ignore it. I left and returned home. My best friend and neighbor Tracey came over and rubbed my back whilst Brad took care of Phoebe as she didn't understand why her mother was in excruciating pain one moment and laughing the next.
That day, Id left the hospital at 6am. At about 12pm that day I received a call to attend the hospital as my baby was in distress and I was booked for a ultra sound at 1pm. I attended the ultra sound where both Brad and I was left in tears. Till this day I wonder how within a week such a drastic turn of events took place. Though my last Ultrasound was not thorough and lasted a total of 4minutes. I returned to the Maternity ward and spoken to horrifically and treated like a pesticide.
Brad consoled me and we returned downstairs and decided to speak to my antenatal nurse Anette. She had been my nurse with Phoebe and knew our personal situation. I told her the circumstances and she bought her manager in. They strapped me to the machine and were shocked. They confirmed our fears that the baby was in distress and she made some calls for information regarding my ultrasound and informed me I will be admitted, she told me to go home and gather my maternity bag and return were shell admit me herself, Along with her sincere apology ‘Cough cough’.
After being admitted and seen by several Doctors I finally had some Idea of what the hell was going on with my unborn child. I had developed to much fluid known as polyhydramnios. Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) occurs in about 2 out of 100 of pregnancies. Polyhydramnios is diagnosed with ultrasound. Medical experts do not fully understand what causes this condition. In 2 out 3 cases, the cause is not known. Here are two of the best-known causes:
* Birth defects that affect the ability to swallow. Normally, when the fetus swallows, the level of amniotic fluid goes down a bit. This helps to balance out the increase in fluid caused by fetal urination.
* Heart defects in the baby.
Though according to our previous Ultrasounds my baby definatley had no issues with abnormalities or no known problems with her heart. We'd discovered at 20weeks I was having a little girl. I was booked in to be transferred Liverpool hospital there they have a specialist Ultrasound clinic were they can see the baby more clearly.
Every expectant mum's worse fear and I had cause for fear due to the lead up to the discovery of my Unexpected baby at 20weeks. Id been in a horrific state and was suffering from alot of self inflicted issues. For the first time in a while I prayed "I begged god not to punish my unborn child for my stupid actions" I did ultrasounds to be sure my actions had not affected her and was reassured several times.
I lay on the bed and tears whelt in my eyes as I watched this lil baby squirmin on the monitor. I asked them to re-assure me what was happening I was informed finally. My tiny innocent beautiful little girls bowel was blocked and her tiny little stomach wasnt handling it. The Dr informed me that they will call royal Womans hospital to arrange me a outpatients appointment as I will be required to give birth there as no other hospital has the facilities that will be required at her birth if she is in need of surgery.
Tears flood both Brad and My eyes as I grasp Phoebe and hold her close wiping my tears in a lame attempt to not worry her. As I listen to the speaker phone call between Liverpool and the Royal. My concern is if Im suffering these pains what is my unborn child suffering I want her out I want her treated and her safe in her Families arms.
The call dragged on and I can hear a semi argument with liverpool informing Royal Im at high Risk however they feel I can be seen as a Outpatient, where as Royal reply "No we dont see your outpatients if she is high Risk Transfer her here". Id waited in the Liverpool waiting room all day with my bags as a inter-transfer patient. I had no bed, no meals nothing it was frankily disgusting.
As Liverpool hang up the phone they look at me and abruptly reply, were organising your transport to Randwick you will be admitted and handled there. Transport will be here in 10minutes. I looked at Brad and let Phoebe toddle around, this must be confusing for her she is just a baby herself and stuck in a hospital all day with her mum and Dad crying frequently what is she feeling?
After arriving at Randwick womans which I must admit I was treated so much nicer and instantly felt a sense of relief. I had my own room and they seemed more concerned than anyone else I had seen that day. I was placed on the CTG (Cardio toco graph. The machine that they use on delivery suite to measure contractions and baby.s heart rate over a period of time). There it was seen that the baby was really in destress and so was the mum. I was medicated as well as given something to sleep. Seen as I didnt arrive till 6ish pm it was to late for the Foetal Monitoring team to do what was needed. I was kept strapped to the machine the entire time except when I went to the bathroom or sneakily went for a smoke..Yes I know but what can I say I smoked.
I was also informed the risks of walkin and standing whist having Polyhydramnios. I could break my water at anytime and the baby could literally fall out as there is so much fluid. What a way to scare a girl right. Luckily I had a little balcony and the nurses were really sympathetic to my needs and feelings. That night I began a diary, I was very emotional and frightened for my unborn child. I told Brad to take Phoebe home and Id stay in regular contact with him and come back after lunch tomorrow. He gently kissed me and Phoebe began to cry not wanting to leave her mummy. She did this the night before as well. See children do sense when things arent right.
The next morning after a night of intense pains and they were getting worse, alot worse the Foetal Maternal Dr came and seen me. Checked the chart and the print out on the CTG. She informed me that they were going to re-do my specialist ultrasound and go from there. Whilst she was there I had another contraction this went way over 100 which is HORRIFIC! We left together me in a wheelchair to the foetal maternal clinic and Outpatients maternity area. Apon arriving tears whelted my eyes as there were all happy 3rd trimester pregnancys smiling and sharing stories with each other and their partners and theres me alone unsure of what will be.
Around a hour after the test the Dr returned. Brad and Phoebe had arrived, Brad was rubbing my back through another contraction. Id had 5 in a matter of 4mins. She told me that they had a idea to relieve me some of the pain and that it was up to me as there were risks involved. They could do like a amniocentisist and drain some of the excess fluid to relieve the pressure. The cause of the contractions was my uterus thought it was time due to the weight it was bearing. Now like all procedures there are risks. Risk being Id go into labour that the needle prick would break my water and Id give birth at 35weeks. The 2nd option was to wait and Id go into labour anyday. The intention was to try and keep baby in as long as possible.
Brad and agreed lets drain some fluid but like i said to the Dr "I want her out she needs to be out I know this isnt right I want her safe"
We all went to the foetal triage room and I was placed on a bed surrounded by no less than 6people. One lady took Phoebe for us and Brad held my hand ever so tightly. I felt the needle prick and squeezed Brads hand with all my might whilst tears fell down my cheeks. "The others in the room informing me how brave I was till the fluid began to flow. The room then became intense. The fluid was Black. My baby was feeding on her own meconium, her bowel was blocked up and wow, Im cryin now thing of this time.
I looked at the Dr and she replied "Kylie we have to schedule you for a emergency C-section first thing in the morning and pray and hope you dont go into labour tonight as the surgical team have gone home". "I replied "see I told you, I knew it wasn't right and no-one would listen to me" in between sniffles and sobs.
September 14th 2007
Maddison Kye McCutcheon
2.4kilos
