And here's my birth story (err, a little long)
On Sunday (2nd Nov?) evening, I was already having contractions but I didn't pay much attention to it because they were quite far apart and not so painful.
However, when it comes to bedtime at around 11pm, I was having very painful contractions that occurred every 3 - 5 minutes and lasted for 45 minutes. There was no relief. I was getting annoyed and not a very pleasant person to sleep beside. I asked the husband if I was feverish because that's how I felt. And he said no. In the end, at 2.30am, I decided to go to the hospital (which was really a mistake I found out).
The nurses checked my cervix and told me that I was merely 1 -2 cm dilated. I was fine with that. However, they also put me on the CTG machine and disallowed me to me in any position except a certain one, which caused me backpain. Even with the position the nurse recommended, I wasn't getting any relief. I wanted to turn to my side but was told not to, as it affected the readings of the CTG. I was in misery, and once again, was very very grouchy and gave the nurse hell. She kept on insisting that backpain is part of labour pain and insisted that I take gas. I didn't want to. Before she put in that silly position, I wasn't having backpain at all! Finally, someone allowed me to semi-sit and I was able to fall on and off sleep (off when contractions came). I wasn't able to be taken off the CTG because baby's heart was ranging from 160 to 180 which was on the high side.
At around 8ish am, the head nurse came in and told me that the high temperature could be due to my fever. I was having a fever at the same time! She allowed me off the bed because I needed to do a urine test and she also allowed me off the CTG machine. I found that the contractions were more bearable when I'm seated down vs lying down.
At around 9ish am, the doctor came. He checked my cervix and said that the baby's head was still very high. Sigh. 7 hours of labour pain and no progress. Still, I bore with it. He said that he didn't see a point of induction for me if there was still no progress by noon. He would suggest I go for C-section. So we were going for a wait-and-see attitude. I was still fine with that. Because I was given penicillin for my fever. Fever gone, just contractions - still can take it.
3pm: Doctor came. Fever came back too. Checked cervix. Still no progress. Going for C-section. Was feeling so so so so miserable and lousy. I was put on the catheter and I didn't like the feeling. I only found out later that I should not feel my urine coming out, but I did, with the catheter. And the feeling was like an orgasm. That's the only highpoint out of this whole experience. Other than that, I was feeling soreish, cold, and still having contractions in between. Contractions were fine for me because there were moments of respite. But now, I had none. The fever was killing me in between the painful contractions, which were sometimes more intense than other times. Was told that I would not be going for Epidural C-section but GA. Was initially disappointed. This was turning out to be worse than I thought.
5.30pm: The 1.5 hours turn out to be like eternity. Finally, I was wheeled into the OT. By then, I was glad that it was going to be GA. I hate to say this but I really couldn't wait for this to be over. I was feeling really lousy. Very unbearable. Many medical staff in the OT were asking me why I was so sleepy. I couldn't help it! In between contractions, I was feeling cold, and muscles were aching so badly. Whenever finally the mask was put over me, I was so so glad.
7.15pm: Remembered someone calling my name. I also remembered thinking it was finally over and I was still alive! My next thought was, 'How was she?' I woke up and was wheeled back to my room. Still very groggy and sleepy and couldn't open my eyes for long. Saw the husband and I remembered he leaned over and whispered, "... curly hair." I was too weak to touch my hair, but I did wonder why my hair was curly. Then I realised that he was talking about our daughter!
Back in my room, a nurse came to ask me if I wanted to breastfeed my baby, and I had to foster my strength to say a yes. I thought it wasn't possible to be able to nurse her right after the operation but was so so happy I could.
I hope I didn't put off anyone giving birth, but I sure put myself off!