My first time pregnancy story
I am pregnant for the first time and I live on a small remote island. This is my story.
Blog Chapters
Pregnancy blog: front page
Chapter 1: I'm pregnant! The initial emotions
Chapter 2: Sharing our good news
Chapter 3: The unwelcomed symptoms of pregnancy
Chapter 4: Initial midwifery appointment
Chapter 5: Hello baby!
Chapter 6: A healthy growing baby
Chapter 7: The happy second trimester
Chapter 8: Gifts & preparations
Chapter 9: Our plans for home birth
Chapter 10: The start of the third trimester
Chapter 11: Birthing options - a decision finally made
> Chapter 12: An unplanned trip to the hospital
Chapter 13: Newest third trimester sensations
Chapter 14: Last minute preparations & more gifts
Chapter 15: A scare! Has the baby moved today?
Chapter 16: We are ready for the home birth
Chapter 17: The woes of late stage pregnancy
Chapter 18: The excruciating waiting stage!
Chapter 19: Scanning & sweeping
Chapter 20: Trapped in town (an indefinite hospital stay)
Chapter 21: Baby's birthday! My delivery & birth story
Chapter 22: A quick recovery
Chapter 23: Final thoughts. . .
Chapter 1: I'm pregnant! The initial emotions
Chapter 2: Sharing our good news
Chapter 3: The unwelcomed symptoms of pregnancy
Chapter 4: Initial midwifery appointment
Chapter 5: Hello baby!
Chapter 6: A healthy growing baby
Chapter 7: The happy second trimester
Chapter 8: Gifts & preparations
Chapter 9: Our plans for home birth
Chapter 10: The start of the third trimester
Chapter 11: Birthing options - a decision finally made
> Chapter 12: An unplanned trip to the hospital
Chapter 13: Newest third trimester sensations
Chapter 14: Last minute preparations & more gifts
Chapter 15: A scare! Has the baby moved today?
Chapter 16: We are ready for the home birth
Chapter 17: The woes of late stage pregnancy
Chapter 18: The excruciating waiting stage!
Chapter 19: Scanning & sweeping
Chapter 20: Trapped in town (an indefinite hospital stay)
Chapter 21: Baby's birthday! My delivery & birth story
Chapter 22: A quick recovery
Chapter 23: Final thoughts. . .
Chapter 12: An unplanned trip to the hospital
It was Wednesday 1st of August and the midwives caught a plane and landed on Eday. They came to me, there was no need for me to go into town and I was so happy and grateful! They also hired a car so that the local nurse wouldn’t be disrupted which also meant that they could spend a lot more time with me and James.
The manager of the maternity ward as well as my dedicated midwife came to our house and asked if we were absolutely sure about the home birth option. We explained about the research we did and that it was the right choice for us. Then the manager took out a paper listing all the risks and complications that may arise. James and I fully understood their fears and discomfort with our choice but they also understood our reasoning and wishes. We went through the paper point by point and signed at the bottom to say that our decision was indeed an informed one.
Then the meeting turned to discussing the signs of labour and what we should do when we notice any of these. We talked about the various pain relief methods, best positions for coping with contractions and in actual birth and it was suggested we may want to look into hypnobirthing and learn a few breathing techniques. James is very keen to be involved in the birthing process so we agreed with the midwives that he was going to catch the baby and pass them to me and that he also wanted to cut the cord when the time came. I am so in love with this man, he is such a great Dad to this little baby!
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Then we discussed the various ways that the midwives could reach us once we phone them and it pleased both James and myself that they did so much research into this - they mentioned the ferry, the plane (and how they would have priority even if it was fully booked), a charter boat taxi for out of hours, RNLI boat and hospital helicopter in emergencies. They said they would also inform the local nurses and the GP of our decision and send us a box of home birthing supplies and emergency equipment ahead of time.
Then we had the usual blood pressure check and listened to the baby’s heart beat again, all of which were normal. The midwife also measured my belly again to assess how well the baby was growing, but her measurement seemed to be the same as two weeks before so, although all other signs were on point, they advised us to go into the hospital for a scan, just to be sure that the baby was developing well. We didn’t argue - as much as we dislike a trip into Kirkwall, it was for the benefit of our little baby and we knew were going to get another blurry black and white ultrasound photograph for the album!
James’s mind was racing though! When the midwives said we had better have this scan James asked them if we should take an overnight bag with us?. The midwives looked confused at the question and I was also unsure why he would want to be so prepared for a simple scan. . . Then on 2nd of August as our neighbour was giving us a lift to the pier (we have no car at the moment) James told her "We hope we won't come back with a baby today!" - I thought that was such a great, light hearted and neighbourly joke!
The trip went well, the sea was calm, it was a nice and cool day and, although the cruise ship was in, the tourists were nowhere to be seen! The scan went really well too, the baby was as big as they should be for week 31 - 1.86kg (about 4lb), and right on point on the predicted baby growth chart. We left the hospital and James looked so happy and relieved.
Then we had about 4 hours to wait for the evening boat so we visited the library and shops but also managed to pop into the museum! It was the first time we visited the museum in Kirkwall and it was really enjoyable - here is a quick video of our day in town:
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We returned home utterly exhausted. My feet and back were hurting and all I wanted to do was go to sleep! But I also was so happy that we got to see the baby who, on the ultrasound screen looked so much bigger than I thought they were but also very safe and comfortable! And they were facing downwards which meant they were preparing for birth . . . So we're still on for a safe home birth.
That evening James sit down with a glass of blaand and said "I really thought that if there was something wrong they may have wanted to take the baby out - a Cesarean or induced labour" and only then I realised that he must have been worried all this time! Bless. . . I never even heard it that way, it was just a scan, but for James it sounded like it may well be the big day!!! He must have been so concerned this whole time and there I was utterly care free and oblivious! When we spoke about it and I gave him a big hug he explained that he didn’t say anything as he didn’t want to worry me. I really love him!
Here is an ultrasound photograph from that day - a first front-facing photo of our little baby! We just love those chubby baby cheeks and I could also swear that the baby is smiling! Do you see a little smile?
Here is an ultrasound photograph from that day - a first front-facing photo of our little baby! We just love those chubby baby cheeks and I could also swear that the baby is smiling! Do you see a little smile?
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Emotionally, I feel great: calm, relaxed, prepared! I am deeply in love with the baby who constantly moves and wriggles inside of me - a true miracle, a brand new person, my child! Also, in the last couple of days I have had a great deal of support from James’s sister in Australia. She shared her experience and had a lot of useful practical tips for us, new parents. This reminded us that we are not alone and reassured me in many ways. I even delved into reading up on the birthing process, a topic I have been anxiously avoiding in the past, which actually proved to be quite helpful. I never thought I’d say this but I am actually really excited and would even go as far as to say that I can’t wait to give birth to my little baby!
Today, as I write this, is 4th of August and we are officially in our pregnancy week 32 - not long left now, not long at all!
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