Above: Corin, 4 days old, in a heated cot and having the probe for his SAT's monitor changed
I thought I'd add a bit of background, so here's the story of Corin's birth.
It isn't every day that you find out you're going to be a Mother, but at least it wasn't a complete shock. I was already 7 and a half months pregnant and in hospital on bedrest due to Pre – Eclampsia. The consultants were hoping that I would get to 34 weeks before induction of labour was considered, but my blood tests were at a dangerous level and my blood pressure was high enough despite the medication to lower it.
The consultant doing the rounds that morning had gone to discuss the ward round with his colleague, who I was booked in under, and had come back to tell me that they were going to start labour off the next day!
I had my lunch and phoned & texted round to let friends and family know. It was strange that night, knowing that after tomorrow life was never going to be the same, but I attempted to get a good night's sleep, after all, I was going to need it.
The next morning, I was taken down to the labour ward where Baby was monitored. Then I was moved to the room where I would give birth. I went and had a shower and got some breakfast, and then given Prostin for the first stage of the induction. Obviously, if the induction didn't work then I would have a section the next day, but I was hoping this would work. I didn't want a section if it could be avoided, and I didn't really want a Hallowe'en baby either!
By 3pm, I was getting what felt like period pains, and after being monitored, given the second round of Prostin I was encouraged to have some tea. The pains increased, and at about 6.30pm, I had a show. This was it!
In the early stages, the midwife told me that the consultant in charge that evening had advised me to have an epidural, just in case Baby needed to be delivered quickly, and it would save time if the drip and everything was already in place. I wasn't keen as I'm not the best with needles, but I'm glad I did. I was fortunate in the fact I could feel the pressure from the contractions, but not the pain, and if I ever have another baby, I'll be asking for an epidural straight off!
Due to the pre-eclampsia, the labour processed very quickly, and our Son, Corin John, arrived into the world on 30th October 2008 at 12.36am, weighing exactly 4lbs. He was cleaned up and put into an incubator and taken straight to the NICU. I caught a glimpse of him as he was taken away, but not enough to know who he looked like. I was cleaned up, and given medication as my blood pressure had rocketed and was at a very dangerous level. Finally, around 3.30am, I was allowed to go to NICU to see Corin. My husband Chris had gone down to be with him already as I hated the thought of him there alone so soon after being born. 2 photos had been sent up to the room when they let us know what he weighed, and to tell us they'd had to give him some formula as his blood sugar had dropped very low, but the photo was nothing to seeing him there and then.
My little boy lay there in the incubator, small but perfect, he had a drip in one hand, and wires on his chest and his foot, and a feeding tube in his nose, wearing nothing but a tiny nappy. He had lots of dark hair, and big bright eyes. He was beautiful, and he was breathing on his own!
I had to go back to the labour room at 4am, as I needed more medication and bloods taken. Chris went home and I was helped into bed, where, absolutely shattered, I soon fell asleep.