Saturday 29 January 2011

Baby Update: Monday

I had now been in hospital for 6 nights and was getting impatient. I was sent for at 6:30am for a fetal heart/contraction scan, but still there was nothing. Water was still gushing out of me and the mid wives said they were going to induce me yet again.

This time I'd had enough, I was emotional since after 6 nights I had seen countless women come into hospital with big bellies and then after 2 days leave with a little baby in their arms.

So I said no. No more induction. I want a C-section. The mid wives cannot make these decisions so sent me to wait for the gyno to make his rounds. After what felt like a life time he came and tried to get me to be induced but I said no again, and off he sent me to be prepped for the C-section.

So soon? Bel fidanzato was at home. I had no time to prepare. I went, in tears to the delivery rooms to be prepped and surely they thought I was crazy since they didn't understand why I was crying. The real reason was that I had wanted a natural birth, I wanted bel fidanzato to be by my side, there to cut the umbilical cord...but little baby just didn't want to come.

As I was getting prepped the chief surgeon came in to speak with me, and in my emotional state he some how convinced me to be put on an induction drip which made it my 6th attempt at a relatively natural birth. I stupidly said yes, thinking there was a ray of hope. Italy used to have a reputation as one of the countries with the highest rate of C-sections in the world. After a bit of international flack they have (thankfully) changed and realise perhaps that a C-section is not a walk in the park, but a major operation. Now the doctors go out of their way to get you not to have one.

I was still crying as the tubes were put in my arm, and finally bel fidanzato arrived. Men are not allowed in the delivery rooms until labour is under way, but they let him in - I think just to calm me down! Once I was calm he went back outside. I was sitting on the drip for about 2 hours and still no labour, no nothing, so I called in the midwife, told her to turn the machine off, the drip off and take me for a C-section. I had already been prepped for it.

Once more bel fidanzato was called in to kiss me goodbye. In Italy no one can enter the operation theatre. In Australia the husband is allowed to enter, but here I was to be left all on my own. My first operation, and it had to be all in Italian!

The nurses were lovely, I told them I was nervous that I wouldn't understand what they were saying, I told them I had never had an operation before....and I'll save you all the gory details but finally, at 13:30 on Monday 24th January a little, purple, 2.880kg baby was pulled from my stomach and alas, bel fidanzato and I became a family of 3.

9 comments:

Gil said...

Finally! Congratulations to all three of you. God Bless you for all that you have endured.

TEFL Ninja said...

Congratulations new mummy and daddy !!!

nuccia said...

Congratulations to you all. You reminded me of the birth of my first born! But in spite of the C-section that finally was performed on me I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on my birthday (who by the way will be 20 this year). Enjoy the ride Leanne - all of it. You're going to make wonderful parents!

Yvonne Anderson said...

Congratulations Leanne!!!

I have spent many hours reading every one of your posts from the beginning of your blog and have loved your stories and your life from afar.

You really are a great writer who leaves me always wanting more....

Can't wait for pics of bambino

Natasha in Oz said...

Congratulations! How exciting. Welcome to the world Little one!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

PS lovely to find your blog via Lindy Lou!

deb at nonna's house said...

Oh Leanne, congratulations to you & bel fidanzato! I hope you're all doing well. Look forward to seeing pics.

LaLa said...

YAAAAY! I'm crying like I was there or something. Happy day. Marvelous! Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. You did a great job Leanne, you went through so much and now you have awesomeness to show for it!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

At long last!! I've been waiting extremely impatiently for this news for a whole week. I was beginning to think that baby was still in there! Congratulations to you and bel fidanzato. Can't wait to hear more about the wee fellow. Take care x x x

Anonymous said...

Auguri!!! From one fellow Aussie in Italy to another. I have followed your blog for about 6 months and I really enjoy your writing. Keep it up and Congrats on your baby.