There is a set procedure when you have pre-eclampsia.  If A doesn’t work then you move onto B, and if B doesn’t work then you move onto C.  Each step increases in intensity and depending on how your body reacts to each step will greatly impact on the next.

I was admitted into the maternity ward as soon as I arrived.  It was 2pm.  I had a private room which was designed for pre-labour monitoring and special care patients.  My midwife was the same one at my prenatal checks.  I gave her my birth plan (knowing that probably three or four shift changes would occur up to the time I give birth.)  I had my blood pressure taken every couple of hours – it was very high.  The baby was also monitored every couple of hours via electronic fetal monitoring that measures the baby’s heart beat, the strength of contractions and the baby’s kicking.  I had blood samples taken to test how much oxygen I had in my blood.  I also had a urine test.  My dilation was checked by the doctor (which hadn’t started at all) and I was encouraged to get as much rest as possible.  The doctor explained to me the procedure of inducement – pill, pill, sleep, pop, drip… drugs, and maybe caesarean.

At 2.30pm I was given the first prostaglandin pessary, a little pill that is put on the cervix to start it dilating.  I was a little nervous about the effect it would have.  My body seems to take to drugs really well and I didn’t feel that I was emotionally ready to go into labour so quickly.  (Plus, induced labour has a very bad reputation of being more painful and longer than a naturally started labour, and I certainly wasn’t ready for that!)  We waited for six hours and nothing.  Another pill was inserted.  If this one didn’t work then the next step would be to artificially rupture the membranes with a crocher like tool.  And if I didn’t go into labour after that then a hormone called Oxytochin via a drip would certainly do the job.  But fortunately, the second pill worked (at 11.30pm at night – doh!)

I called up Moose and he had a hard time getting back into the maternity ward.  After 10pm they go into ‘lock-down’ mode and only security can let you in.  My contractions started at two minutes apart.  They were a little odd as I would have two consecutive contractions and then a rest.  I was moved into the labour room by 12am.  The room was huge.  It was in the newly build wing of the maternity ward and had all the modern cons including a labour bath to fit at least three people and a leather recliner for hubbie to relax in.  But, of course, there was no time for resting.

My contractions continued their weird cycle.  I wasn’t really getting a break and they were a lot stronger than my last pregnancy (due to being induced).  As I knew gravity would help the baby and I, I knelt over the bed head for support.  Meanwhile, Moose’s job was to massage out my back.  The lights were very low and I liked that so much – it made the big room quiet and intimate.  I was at a point where I couldn’t take the pain and asked for help from the midwife.  She suggested gas.  I said no because it makes me get a sore throat and I didn’t want the baby to be affected.  (It is thought that gas can also effect the baby but is not proven as yet – but I didn’t want to take any chances.)  My goal was still to have a natural birth.

The midwife asked me if I wanted my waters ruptured as it would make the labour quicker (however, more painful).  I said I didn’t know.  But what I was really meaning was that I wanted my waters to break naturally.  I thought that would be the best for me and the baby but my pain was so strong that it made me say ‘I don’t know’.  The midwife got the tools ready for the popping of my waters anyway.  And just as she asked me to turn onto my back – SPLASH!  I was so embarrassed.  Not about my waters breaking but how they broke – everywhere!  There must have been a two metre perimeter of wetness around me but there was no time to de-saturate the bed (or anyone else standing around it) as the baby was coming.

As I wanted assistance with the baby squeezing through the perineum as not to tear (as much) I had to at least lay on my side to deliver.  Easier said than done.  When the baby has already crowned it’s hard to move anywhere.  The baby was half way out and the next contraction took forever but at 2.15am he was born.  He was quickly wiped down and placed on my chest for suckling.  (Even though I plan not to breast feed, I still have hope that I can.  And I still want my baby to get the goodness of colostrum even if its only for the first couple of days.  The suckling will also stimulate my uterus to go back in place faster.)

I needed four stitches and this happened straight away while Moose and I got acquainted with our new addition.  I was very happy with four.  Last time I needed nine.  I think all that perineum massage did me good – a bigger baby with a much bigger head and less tearing.

The baby was measured and weighed, washed and dressed.  I was encouraged to get up and go to the toilet and have a shower while the midwives cleaned up the big mess I made…lol.  That was fine with me – I think I had the best shower of my life…lol.  The time to recap what just happened while the warm water beated down like a soft massage was just what I needed.  And I think it was a wonderful time for Moose to get to know his son.

Back in the room we were presented with a little celebratory plater.  Nope, it’s not champagne (I wish) – just apple and orange juice.  It’s important to eat afterward for energy and to help you get back to normal ASAP.  We were left alone in the room for four hours to rest and be together.  (All three of us were so tuckered, being the middle of the night an ‘ol, that we slept for three.)

Early morning I had another blood test to check my oxygen.  I was transferred to my own room in the maternity ward.  I wanted to go straight to the hospital hotel but procedure required me to spend at least one night under supervision – just in case.

I only planned to stay in hospital for two nights as I wanted to get home and try to make things as normal as possible for Lilu.  The last couple of days had been hard on her as she had never had sleep-overs at other peoples houses before.  Plus in two days Moose had to go on research again in the mountains.  I had my heart set on returning home asap come hither or thither.  When you’re an immigrant you leave all your people resources back home.  You often don’t get the unconditional help you need when having a baby in Norway, not like you would when you have known your family and friends all your life like I did in Australia.  So I had to return home no matter what.  The hospital staff really wanted me to rest for longer but they understood I need to be home and did everything in their power to make all the checks and tests happen in time so I could.