Siobhan Corr's diary - Weeks 20-40Siobhan Corr's diary - Weeks 20-40
22 July 2004 - Daniel James arrives
Our 20 week anomaly scan. The consultant explained that she would, in particular, be looking for indications that my baby had any structural abnormalities such as spina bifida or cleft palate etc. She measured the baby’s head, it’s limbs, studied its kidneys – all good indicators of spina bifida or hydrocephalus and confirmed all looked absolutely normal. She confirmed the sex of the baby for us.
20th August
I awake with a sharp pain in my side. I suspect a UTI, but since infections can induce labour, I decide to ring the hospital, who advise me to come to triage for assessment. They confirm a UTI and I have to increase my dose of antibiotics for 7 days. Baby is well. In addition, I am having considerable pelvic discomfort – sleeping and walking are becoming more difficult.
9th September
I am referred to the senior physiotherapist at the hospital. She advises me to cushion my bed mattress, use a footstool to get in and out of bed and keep my knees together when getting out of chairs etc. I will have to sleep with 2 pillows from now on – 1 under my bump and 1 to protect my pelvis. I can take a small dose of paracetamol for the pain.
29th September
I am 29 weeks pregnant and can no longer change my urostomy bag. I visit the practice nurse at my local clinic and she arranges for me to attend the district nurse every 3 days until I deliver my baby. My stoma has changed shape and size and I will have to see the stoma nurse for advice on new products.
30th September
The anaesethetist discusses with me the options for pain-relief An epidural is ruled out, as it might prove problematic because of the location of my lesion. Drugs seem the best option!!! In the event of a Caesarian, I will require a general anaesethetic.
21 October
My consultant has arranged for me to speak to a Urologist – in the event of a Caesarian, due to the position of my ureters, it would be best to do a mid-line incision – although, this would require a longer recovery. My Consultant is still keen that I should deliver normally (if possible).
5 December
6 days before my due date, I start to have niggling pains and after 8 hours, I go to hospital. I stay overnight for observation but am advised to go home to rest since I am not (officially) in active labour.
6 December
I return, 6 hours later, in an ambulance. I am 5 cms dilated and require gas and air for the pain. They break my waters 4 hours later at 7cms and the pain then really intensifies – I require a small dose of diamorphine. 2 hours later, fully dilated, I start to push. However, over an hour later, I have still not delivered the baby and am tiring.
The doctor in charge assists with a Ventouse. Daniel James is born at 1.25 am on 7 December. He weighs 7 lbs 4 ozs.
The first few weeks…
I have this enormous sense of achievement, beyond anything else that I have achieved (graduation, promotion etc).
Martin and I enjoyed nearly a month together with Daniel before he had to return to work. This was a joyful time, never to be forgotten. However, it was not a true reflection of motherhood – the visitors soon stop coming!
I soon had to face up to the practical difficulties of motherhood – carrying him in and out of the car, bending down to bath him, lifting him on to and from his playmat etc.
All of these have required greater organisation and thought on my part to ensure his safety. Not having family close, has made things more difficult – a baby is not always good company! I have had to make real efforts to meet lots of other mums and this has provided me with support and a whole new social life which I had never contemplated – Music with Mummy, Gym tots, Mother and Baby groups etc.
I am determined to enjoy the remainder of my maternity leave with Daniel and that he should be fulfilled by this time together.
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