"Pregnancy and birth with my second son"

During my pregnancies i didn't keep very well. I suffered with high blood pressure, episodes of fainting and a pulse that raced too fast. When my pulse raced too fast i turned sweaty, couldn't see and my ears screeched, it could literally happen at anytime and many times a day.

As my pregnancy progressed it got increasingly worse, which then i got put onto beta blockers to try and stabilise my heart rate and blood pressure. Time went on and after several stays in hospital my consultant decided the best option would be to book me in for a caesarian section (i had an emergency c-section with my first son). I decided that if my heart rate and symptoms were all under control i would love to try for a VBAC.  I got induced at 37+1 and knowing that i was still early i was very worried about ending up in the same position as the first time around. I had a very difficult and long time with my first son back in 2015 which resulted in a very quick turn around as baby was stuck and i was unable to progress any further, into theatre i went. 

I was greeted in Westburn ward by Sheena Fairfull and the fantastic student midwife Emily, they took me through to the labour ward and decided i was in room 1... i couldn't go in that room and asked to be in another (room 1 happened to be the room i was in with my first son!). Sheena completely understood me and quickly swapped over the rooms. As time went on and my contractions got more regular and stronger i was getting sorer and sorer and became worried about my wound from my section in 2015. The babys heart rate started to dip everytime i had a contraction. I instantly started to panic as this is what happened during my first labour, although i was very much assured by staff that they are keeping a very close eye on baby i just wasn't happy with how things were going. More time went on and i was struggling to cope with the pain and i got examined by Sheena where she then pulled out quite a lot of blood. That was enough for me as i didn't want to go longer and longer and panic myself even more about reminding myself from 2015. With the lovely help and understanding from Sheena and Emily they sorted me going to theatre to get the baby out via c-section. Unfortunately my first spinal didn't work properly and ended up with two and it then over flowed and began to mess with my breathing, and unable to feel my arms and hands. Very close to being put to sleep with the great help from the team in theatre they helped me cope better with my breathing and Chloe sat with a sick bowl by my face! I was so glad i managed to be awake for the birth of my baby. 

With a big blood loss and a very numb body i returned home two days later, however put back into the ward a few days after with a womb infection and suspected blood clot in my lung. I cannot fault the team in Ashgrove ward for the after care and help with the baby which i received. Names that stuck out to me was Joanne, Jamie and Carla. They seriously deserve medals, an absolute credit to the NHS. Thank you again for everything.