Hayden's Birth Story...

I fell pregnant about 3 months after deciding to TTC.

Our due date was the 12th of October 2007.

I saw my OB immediately (I think I was about 3 or so weeks) and I commenced Clexane injections twice a day, Cartia tablets and lots of rest. He said the key would be the injections. They would get me my baby.

When I was approximately 7 weeks I had a large bleed and was devastated. I thought it was all over again. A scan showed a beautiful healthy baby with just a small bleed behind the placenta that should fix itself. The same thing happened at around 10 weeks but a scan once again showed a beautiful healthy baby.

At our 12 week scan, we were told we were having another boy. We were over the moon. A little brother and playmate for Mitchell.

Things progressed really well and at my 19 week scan, it was confirmed that this baby was definitely a boy.Week after week this baby proved that he was big and strong and always measured approx 3-4 weeks ahead of my dates. I was thoroughly enjoying being pregnant for once. I had such a good feeling that things would be ok.

We finally reached the magical 30 week mark. Our second son Mitchell was born at 30 weeks as I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP. My BP was always perfect this pregnancy so that was one milestone down.

A week later at 31 weeks, it did creep up a little and I was hospitalised for a few days and then put on bed rest but after the hospital stay, it was perfect and I was taken off bedrest.

At week 34 I was admitted again as I was having quote strong contractions and was in a lot of pain. It was put down to really strong BH's but was kept in overnight, just in case.

Dean and I had a big think about things and I was slowly starting to freak out as we were coming up to 36 weeks which is when we lost out first born son at birth, Jayden. We decided to have a chat to my OB as we wanted this baby out. My OB was reluctant at first and begged me to give it one more week. I agreed and it was decided that he would deliver sometime between 35 and 36 weeks (he would have preferred between 36 and 37 but he finally agreed with me that this baby was safer outside than in). We were to discuss the exact day at an appointment with him on the Monday when I was 35 weeks and 2 days. That Monday came and I was feeling pretty crappy about things. I wasn't coping emotionally and wanted him out and safe.

At the appointment I was put on the CTG monitor as I hadn't been having very many kicks. The CTG was on for over half an hour and not one movement was found. It was decided that he would be born THAT NIGHT!

Lucky I took all my bags to the appointment and had made arrangements for Mitchell. Oh and I also cleaned the house top to bottom that morning. I must have know hey!

So off we went straight across the road to the hospital.I was admitted at around 4pm and told the Caesar would be at approx 8pm.Dean and I sat waiting for what seemed an eternity. My mum came up with Mitchell to say our goodbyes and see our son, as a family of 3 one last time. I started getting all teary realising that little man had to all of a sudden grow up.

So after all the prep was done on me, I was finally taking to the theatre rooms at around 7.30pm. We were taken in to a separate room to have the spinal block inserted. This was hell. It took approximately 25 minutes for it to be inserted. She could not get it in to the right place. She told me she would give it one more go and if she couldn’t' get it, I would have to be knocked out. I was told to tell her if I thought it was going to one side more than the other. As I didn't want a general I guessed and said it was going to the left and luckily I was right. It was finally in place and started taking effect.I was then wheeled in to surgery and met by my OB. I think he was just as excited as Dean and I.

After what seemed like a minute, our beautiful little miracle HAYDEN JACK was born. He was amazing. The relief I felt was instant. It was finally over and I could now concentrate on being a mum again. FINALLY!

Oh I should add that my first glimpse of Hayden was of him weeing all over me just after he was pulled out. Typical boy.

He was given to the paed as he was 5 weeks early, to be checked out but he was fine. He was handed to me and we had the most beautiful cuddles for while I was being stitched up. He was finally taken off me and Dean got to cut the cord. This was very special for him as he didn't get to do it with Jayden or Mitchell.

As all of this was happening and my OB was finishing up, I could feel myself starting to slip off the table as it was tilted slightly. I first felt my leg go and then my body started to go. I was caught in time. That was scary. Not sure what happened there. I will be asking my OB at my 6 week check up.

I didn't want Hayden to be left at all so Dean headed up to the special care nursery with Hayden while I went to recovery.I was only in recovery for a short 10 minutes and I was taken straight to the nursery. There he was. My gorgeous son. Finally.

He had some respiratory distress from being early and a wet lung from the Caesar but other than that, he was very well.

His stats were:
DOB - 10.09.07
Weight - 3.1kgs
Length - 49.9cms
HC - 34.5cms
Apgars - 7 and 8

He has continued to get stronger and stronger every day.

He is currently still in hospital and will be for at least another week to 2 weeks. He is now having some feeding and sucking issues but is slowly getting there. So I am once again doing the travelling to hospital thing very day (but this time it's only 5 minutes instead of the hour and a half that it was with Mitchell). I hate leaving him every day but I know he will be home sooner than later.

Our family is now complete (for now at least) and life could not be better. I have my 3 beautiful boys and a husband that I love more now than ever.

Here are some photos:http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/MRFogg/Hayden/