Hi everyone - thank you so much for your lovely messages and thoughts.  Also thank you so much to Roz for her concern and keeping you all updated.

Well, its been a busy few days!  I'll post a full birth story later on but my waters went early Friday morning so we went to the labour ward about 7am to get checked out fully expecting to be sent home as everything had all been text book up to that point.  I had v high BP, protein in urine and baby's heartrate was racing so they kept us there.  I got to 8cm by 5pm and they then realised she was back to back which was why I was in so much pain.  Pushed for over 2 hours from 8pm and she was stuck fast and I was getting knackered so they transferred me to theatre for assistance and possible c-section.  Had an epidural and then after suction cap and forceps Bailey was born at 23.25.

She took 5 mins to get breathing properly, probably the worst time of my life, and then was grunting a lot.  She was taken to special care in the night for assistance as stopped breathing again and turned out to be a lung infection.  She was out the next day onto the main ward but then needed antibiotics and became jaundiced.

Feeding was difficult because of all of her problems but I was expressing into a syringe for her as well as topping up with formula.  It all made establishing breast feeding very hard so we made the decision last night to stop and go with bottle feed.

Have felt a bit disapointed about the birth and subsequent problems and keep relaying it in my head and wondering if I could have done anything different but trying not to let it get to me. 

Bailey is totally beautiful and considering all shes been through is completely chilled out about things.  She has a full head of dark hair and only really cries now when shes having her nappy changed. 

DH has posted piccies onto Flickr so will post a link here, hopefully you can see them - if not let me know.

I'll catch up on posts later but congrats to everyone that has had their baby and I hope that everyone still waiting is feeling well and hanging in there.

Much love

Claire xx

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackeby

So glad to hear you are home Claire and the pics are lovely- Bailey is beautiful. I'm sorry the birth didn't go as you'd planned and that you had some really tough times in these first few days, but I just wanted to say that I felt just the same when DD1 was born and the breastfeeding wasn't working out at all. Just like you, I went over and over things in my head- trying to work out what I'd done wrong- it all came to a head one day when I drove to MILs (with 3 week old DD1 in the back of the car) and when I got there I realised I literally hadn't noticed any of the journey there (1 and a half hours!) as I'd just been obsessing about things. It really made me realise that I needed to stop thinking about what was past! So try to focus on the positive- you are home, you are both well and you will be fine. To have gotten all the way to the pushing stage on no drugs is amazing. The fact that she wouldn't budge is not your fault at all- you had done as much work as anyone who has a 'natural birth'- you were just unlucky that it didn't work out as it should, so be v.v.v.proud of your achievement!

lots of love to you,

Clairebee

Make a pregnancy ticker

Oh Claire, she is beautiful, what a lovely head of dark hair, reminds me very much of my DD, she had loads of dark hair as well and she also had similar problems to Bailey with breathing and lung infection and spending time in SCBU so I understand where you are coming from, bless you its so tough, but there are so very often things in labour and delivery which we can't control - don't beat yourself up over it, as for feeding at the end of the day although we all know about the benefits of breastfeeding as long as you and Bailey are happy then, in my opinion, bottle feeding is just fine!!!

Well done and massive congratulation to you and your family

Claire xxx

Congratulations Claire.  Bailey is beautiful and you must be so proud. 

My DD was back to back so I know how painful it is.  I also pushed for 1hr 20 mins and it was nearly a forceps delivery.  Also, BF didn't work out either and after 3 weeks my DD was FF instead.

But put all this behind you and just look at the beautiful bundle of joy you have and enjoy as they grow so quickly! x

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]

CL on: Best Pregnancy, Baby & Child Products & Development Delay Support & MD Nov 09

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww she is gorgeous, reminds me of my two who were born with full heads of hair.

We all do what we think is for the best honey, you just concentrate on getting yourself and Bailey better after her dramatic entrance.

Lovely pics, want mine to come and see us now!!!

Angie xxxxxxx