Labour Day...and finally Emilia!

So, I haven't written for a couple of days and I think you could guess why?!

Here we go...once upon a time....and this is the story of my labour.

On Sunday September-2nd, at 3.45am, after a couple of days of pain and irregular contractions, I was awaken by a massive pain in my lower belly, and all of a sudden I understood what contractions felt like and let me tell you, I didn't like it! I stayed calm in bed for a good hour without telling anything to Rob nor my parents. I checked how regular they were and they were already five minutes apart, but they didn't last longer than thirty-fourty seconds. At about 5.00am, I woke Rob up. The contractions were getting more intense and closer to each other. I could see the excitement on his face when I told him what was going on, finally the wait was over. I dealt with the pain for a couple of hours and then we called the hospital. They advised us to stay home another hour or so and then call them back. Long story short, we ended up calling the hospital three times before we got admitted. We called a taxi, grabbed the bags, and started our adventure. At the hospital I was assessed, and thankfully I was 4.5cm dilated, therefore I was sent to the Birth Centre and not back home! They explained to us that they only admit women who are at least 4 cm dilated. We were given a lovely suite overlooking the Thames, right next to the London Eye. Not bad for a labour ward! After ten hours of active and regular contractions I requested an epidural and boy am I glad I did it! Once the epidural kicked in, I was in heaven. So much better. Labour went on for quite a few hours and it wasn't time to start pushing until 9.30pm, almost eighteen hours after the first regular contractions. After pushing for an hour, there was still no trace of the baby and all of a sudden the baby's head felt very high. Baby O decided to turn on her shoulder and this caused some little problems. The doctors decided to transfer me to the operation theatre immediately and get me ready for a C-section. Although they were still hopeful to be able to deliver the baby vaginally with the help of forceps, at that point, for the safety of the baby, a C-section had to be considered. So, they dressed Rob up and to the theatre we all went. Not for a minute I felt scared, all the doctors and members of staff made me feel incredibly safe and in excellent hands. They tied me up and topped up the epidural, just in case. The doctors did everything they could to get the baby's head in position and once they could see it they asked me to push very hard. By that point I was almost completely numbed and had no feelings in my abdomen and legs. But I wanted Baby O to be delivered naturally, I didn't want to have a C-section after twenty hours of labour! So I pushed, and pushed as hard as I could. I couldn't see anything, I had my eyes closed in the effort of pushing but at some point I heard Rob screaming: Oh, Vale, look! And there she was, our beautiful baby girl. 

Baby O was born on 2/09/2012 at 23.46. She was a little ball of 3.6 kg and long (or short!) 52 cm. I had been thinking of that moment for so long but you can never be prepared to the wave of emotions that attack you when you see your baby. In that exact moment Rob and I became mum and dad and from now on we have someone to look after. Please welcome our little Emilia.

Final (!?) Gain

While the pregnancy is still rolling, I reflect a bit on what has been going on in the last few months...

It has been interesting to see how pregnancy is treated in different countries. Being Italian I get a lot of information from my fellow Italians who have already given birth in Italy. Also, being married with an American guy and having quite a few American friends, I receive details about antenatal care in the US too. Moreover, all my international friends fill me in with what happens in their countries. One interesting difference is the way pregnancy gain is treated in each Country. While doctors and people in general in Italy are quite obsessed with how much weight you gain during these nine months, I have only been weighted once in this Country, right at the beginning of the pregnancy, back when my weight was still 53 kg. However, I still weighted myself every now and then at home, out of curiosity. The first four months I didn't gain any weight, in fact, I lost three kilos. remember all the sickness? That's why. But from the fifth month I started putting on weight rapidly. Until the eight month I was quite in shape with a total gain of about 9 kilos, if I remember correctly. Then something happened. First of all, our home scale broke, so I stopped weighing myself as it wasn't reliable anymore. Then, I started gaining several kilos in a week or so. Everybody tells me that you can't really see it, that in person I only have a very big, round belly, and that from behind nobody would guess I am pregnant. But I can see I am bigger. My legs are definitely bigger, although, according to my mum and dad they are better now (they think my *normal* legs are too skinny, otherwise) and my face is certainly a bit rounder too. Anyway, I weighted myself one more time at the doctor and it looks like my current, and hopefully final!, gain is....14.5 kilos! Can you believe it? I can't. One thing for sure though is that this belly is starting to be heavy! I am starting to have problems sleeping (I know, I can't complain, I have been sleeping fine until week 40, so I feel quite blessed), I am bored of the same position and my back hurts.

Speaking of which, I have some updates on labour signs: I now have backache, menstrual cramps and it looks like I have started to loose my mucus plug, or at least I hope that's what it is! Sorry, I don't mean to be gross but many of you have been asking...

Now, these are only signs and it can still take quite some time for me to go into labour. But something is happening. 

While I am growing rather impatient now, I still try to live my life normally. I took a nice stroll with my parents yesterday afternoon and even made a two-course dinner for them and Rob last night, and apparently it was delicious! As usual, I'll keep you posted and thanks so much for all your messages, I am overwhelmed by all your love.

Due Date

First of all, thanks so much to all of you who have been in touch today. I can't believe how many of you remembered that today is my due date and felt to check on me. As always, I feel blessed to have so many loving and caring people in my life.

I am sorry to report that, unless I go into labour now and have a rather short labour, Baby O is not going to be punctual! When I first found out to be pregnant, they told me that my due date was September-2nd; then, they gave us a new date at the first, or *dating*, scan. I wonder if they got it right :) 

Thankfully, I still manage to stay calm. Of course, I am quite impatient to meet my baby girl but I am not feeling anxious or scared. No need to get panicky now, there will be plenty of time for that later on! All the people around me, instead, are growing rather impatient. Every morning when we wake up both my mum and Rob ask me: "Nothing yet?" and all I can say is: "Well, did you see me going to hospital last night? Or did you see me screaming in pain? and most important, do you see a baby in the house yet?". They make me smile though, I know they mean well. 

For now we can only wait and try some natural tricks to speed up the process. 

Also, despite being very skeptical, I checked the calendar and the full moon is approaching (August-31st). It's a widely held belief that a full moon can kick full-term pregnant women into labour. So, as un-scientific as it is, let's have some faith in the moon! 

Labour Signs

Still here with no baby, folks!

At the antenatal class, back in July, among many other things, they talked about labour signs. Yesterday, I took the chart they gave us to see if I am getting close or not. Apparently, these things could happen before labour kicks in. I have added my status in the last column.

Of course, every woman reacts in a different way and not everybody experiences all these signs. 

I seem to be having some of these but definitely not the most important ones. Does it mean that there is still quite a long way to go?? Hope not.

Meanwhile, mum and Rob are getting more and more anxious and forcing me to do things that are supposed to speed up the process. I am adding chilly oil to every meal I eat these days and take a little stroll in the area at least once a day. My mum is also making me take the stairs up and down when we go out. Six floors of stairs people, six floors! If that doesn't induce labour, what will?

This morning my mum and I went out a little. It was a nice, crisp day in London. Once back home we took a couple of pictures...hopefully the last ones with the bump! And as you can see, pink flowers are a must these days! We are getting there...Stay tuned.

36 Weeks

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant. This week is a crucial one as at the end of it I will reach an important pregnancy milestone: Baby O will be considered full-term and I could give birth any day. Life is getting a bit more complicated; I am always tired and out of breath. I need to rest very often and spend a lot of time on our rocking chair (thanks Ila!). 

I have definitely become bigger, as you would expect, and the bump is now rather prominent. Thankfully, I can still wear normal clothes, dresses are surely the most comfortable option. I haven't weighted myself in a few days, our scale doesn't seem to be working properly (or so I say!), but I have a midwife appointment next Tuesday and I will definitely check the damage :) 

Thankfully I can still sleep fine. I usually fall asleep on my side but then I tend to turn on my back in the middle of the night. I do take a couple of trips to the loo but I can safely fall back asleep. So, I can't complain. 

I am getting slower and slower and walking has become a bit of a chore. But it is good to get out of the flat whenever possible to get some fresh air, so I try to force myself out every now and then. 

The annoying bit is the nausea. I am never really hungry and do not enjoy eating. I have troubles digesting and have a bit of heart burn every now and then. What a joy! 

Moreover, something has started. I don't know whether they are the *famous* Braxton Hicks or not but I have started to have tightening pain in my lower belly. The tightening is short but it is quite uncomfortable, sometimes it even makes me scream...I wondering how loud I am going to be during real labour! I am taking them as a sort of rehearsal and try to practice my breathing techniques, although I am not really sure how prepared you can really be once the real thing kicks in! I have to say, I am still quite relaxed but I am getting more and more aware that the big moment is approaching. 

This is why this morning I finally wrote my birth plan. I have used all the headings suggested by the midwife at the antenatal class and will discuss it with my midwife at the appointment next Tuesday. Writing what type of delivery I would like to have and what types of pain relief I will want to try made the all thing much more real. Let's hope it is not going to be too long and too painful!

Antenatal Class and Tour of Birth Centre

A couple of days ago Rob and I attended our first antenatal class. The topic of the class was Labour, birth, pain relief and relaxation. It was an afternoon class that ran from 1.00 to 4.00pm. Before heading to the community centre were the class was being held, we made a stop at our local cafe' for a lovely brunch and then off we went to Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre. I really like this place, it's modern, it's vibrant, it's colourful and it's very welcoming. I mentioned it before on this blog as they also have a nice nursery. In fact, while we were there we collected all the information about the nursery, just in case. We have actually decided to have a nanny for the first few months when I'll go back to work as we think it would be better for Baby O to stay in a familiar environment, she will be only 5 months old! I already know it won't be easy to go back to work at the end of January, even if part-time, but at least I hope to feel more comfortable knowing that our little baby is at home with a trusted person. We have already found a nanny we like, let's hope the transition won't be too painful for us!

When we arrived at the centre a few couples were already there and many others arrived soon after. It was nice to see all those bumps gathered in the same room and it was very sweet to see all the husbands and dads-to-be sitting next to their partners, eager to learn something. I have to say, I didn't find the course particularly enlightening. The midwife who gave the presentation and showed us the videos was very nice and offered a lot of details but nothing I hadn't really previously read about somewhere else. I believe these courses were very useful back in the days when information was a bit less spread, but these days with the internet and all the magazines and books available on the topic, I can hardly imagine a mum-to-be who doesn't already know all the details of labour! Rob, however, found it very useful and apparently learned a lot. In fact, most of the questions came from the boys! It's endearing to see how men these days want to be more involved, participate and try to understand what their partners are going through. All in all it was a lovely afternoon with nice couples, about 12/13 couples in the room, and delicious biscuits and fresh juices.

Once the class was over, we took a stroll along the Southbank and shopped a bit. We then had a very early dinner at Nandos, always a favourite, and finally walked to St. Thomas', the hospital where Baby O will be born, for the tour of the maternity unit. This was the best part of the day, we really enjoyed the tour. The hospital is in an amazing location, right opposite the Parliament and Big Ben. All the labour rooms are single and en-suite and have a couch for the partners who want to stay overnight. They all have gigantic windows overlooking the Thames, I suppose it will be nice to enjoy the view at least, while in excruciating pain! Opposite the labour and birthing rooms are the pool rooms; I am still not sure whether I will be using one or not but I guess it's nice to at least have the option.
So, we left the hospital with a big sense of relief. Don't get me wrong, of course, it is still an hospital but it is kind of welcoming, especially the Home to Home area and the garden room, where Rob said will be spending most of the time. And the midwives all had smiles on their face, let's hope we will be lucky with the ones on duty the big day!

Below is a virtual tour of the maternity unit at St. Thomas', if you'd like to have a look.

Guess Baby O's birthday!

If Baby O is like her mama, she could be born as early as the 22nd of July (due date August 29th). Yes, that's right, I was born a month and a week before the due date. One night, while my mum was peacefully sleeping, her water broke and a few hours later baby Valentina was born. And this is why I have tried to get organised in time, you never know. Of course, she may decide that she actually likes swimming in mummy's belly and wants to stay in there for a bit longer than the due date too. Who knows, only time will tell us. One thing for sure is that they usually induce you to labour if baby doesn't have any intention to come out and is still in mum's body one week after the due date. So the potential dates post/ante quem for us are: July 22nd and September 5th.

In the meantime, we can only guess when this will happen. If you have a feeling, or a favourite date, or simply would like to play a game, please participate in the poll below. And there will be prizes for the winner(s)!

Guess Baby O's Birthday