Tag Archives: labour

The Gallery #6

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Okay, so if you’re in the slightest bit squeamish, look away now…. gone?

Right, so, the theme set for The Gallery by Sticky Fingers this week is Birth:

21st February 2011

I’ve pondered over the last week or so since the theme was set as to whether or not to post this picture.  It’s pretty personal and pretty intense, but it’s also – I think – pretty powerful and everything else I considered posting to reflect the theme just paled in comparison.

This picture was taken by Richmond Daddy the day he became Richmond Daddy (and I, Richmond Mummy!).  After being two weeks overdue, being induced and getting to 3cms dilated (yes, only 3cms dilated!), taking every drug going (man, it was PAINFUL!), and 34 hours of – as the (male) consultant put it – “achieving nothing” – I had an emergency c-section and this was the moment that my baby girl was brought into the world.  Thanks to the incredible efforts and skills of the team at Kingston Hospital, she was delivered safe and sound (all 9lbs 10oz of her!), and I am eternally grateful to them.  Thank you.

As you can see, she wasn’t overly happy at being wrenched into the world.  She was clearly quite comfy snuggled up inside and was showing no signs of coming out of her own accord.

That day, my life changed for ever.

That day, she was born and a new me was born too.

That day I will never forget.

That day was incredible.

I love you Allegra.

This post was written for week 68 of The Gallery: Birth.  If you want to check out other photos and blogs around this theme (and do, because they’re likely to be good) then click here  and go explore.

A whole new world…

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So, I’m back.  In the words of that fine entertainer John Barrowman (ahem…) “I made it through the rain…” – well, the birth anyhow.  How was it you ask? well, don’t.  Let’s just say being induced, well, it wasn’t much fun.

To cut a 34-hour-long story short: 11.30am Sunday, induction; midnight waters broke and shot of pethidine; 6am Monday, gas and air (nice!); 9am, 1cm dilated; 9.30am epidural, oxytocin drip, 6 hours of waiting… more gas and air… more epidural; Monday PM, 3cms dilated… more epidural… more gas and air… more epidural; Monday evening, 3cms dilated… more epidural, more gas and air (and repeat…); 8.30pm, still 3cms dilated…. 9.30pm ish c-section….

Birth plan… hmmmm

Hypno-birthing plan… HMMMM (let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t spend 5 months of my life performing daily massages of my perineum – what a gross waste of time that would have been!)

Baby Allegra Christina born by c-section at 9.53pm while Adele’s “Feel my love” played in the background on Magic FM in theatre.  A wonderful moment, hearing my baby girl cry out for the first time, seeing her puffy little face and holding her close after such a long wait.  Healthy, beautiful, podgy cheeked, mine (okay, “ours”…)

And she’s certainly kept me and Richmond Daddy busy in the week since we’ve been home from hospital! (hence the distinct lack of blogging action, but am hoping to find time again from now on – although god knows when exactly!).

Becoming a parent, wow, it’s a whole new world.  Who knew that in fact there is no day and night, just 24 hours divided into 3-4 hourly chunks?!  Who knew that poo could be so sticky and then so mustardy coloured and seedy (what exactly are the seedy bits?!)?!  Who knew that one pair of hands is never enough and neither is one outfit a day?!  And who knew it was possible to feel so much love for something, someone, so small, so pink, so chubby, so perfect?

And it’s funny, not even two weeks in and I can barely remember life pre-Richmond Baby.  It’s a whole new world yes, but one that I feel incredibly blessed to be part of.

PS.  a word of thanks for the incredible generosity of family and friends who have inundated us with cards and the most wonderful presents – thank you all, they are much appreciated and thank you cards are on their way xx