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My new DGD...

(36 Posts)
vampirequeen Fri 28-Aug-15 08:04:21

...has finally arrived. Unlike her cousin who came on the bathroom floor a couple of weeks ago, this little madam really fought to stay put. My poor DD was huge and her blood pressure was rising fast but the hospital insisted on her waiting until she was 14 days overdue. When they finally decided to help her things went from bad to worse. She endured 36 hours of agony before they finally got an epidural in at the third attempt. Then after another 5 hours they were both so exhausted the baby got stuck and they had to take DD to theatre so they could use forceps. My DD's insides are a mess and it took them ages to sort her out. The baby was 9lb 10oz.

I blame the hospital for this. IMO....and I know this is a mum's not a doctors opinion...they should have done a section when it become obvious DD was struggling. I appreciate there is a certain amount of pain when giving birth (been there, got the t shirt) but this was OTT. They kept telling her how short staffed they were and that they didn't have beds in the labour ward or staff for theatre. I think this lack of staff was the reason they didn't take her to theatre until they had no choice.

The upside is that DD and baby are safe. Baby is really bad tempered though. All she does is scowl grin. Obviously she's livid at being forced to come out grin

Judthepud2 Fri 28-Aug-15 21:26:55

Congratulations VQ. But so sorry to hear what an awful time your DD had. She was a big baby, wasn't she? Hope they are both recovering well. The baby is probably cranky because she is a bit bruised.

My DGD1 was born by ventouse and her little head was badly cut. She screamed for the first 6 weeks and the health visitor suggested DD took her to a head massage person (can't remember the correct medical name). It certainly helped to calm her. She is a lovely lively little girl, will be 7 in a few weeks.

flowers

Deedaa Fri 28-Aug-15 22:03:50

That's cranial osteopathy isn't it Judthepud2 ? I've known several people who've had very good results with their babies.

Congratulations Vampire I hope they both get over the horrors of the birth soon flowers

baubles Sat 29-Aug-15 05:20:21

Congratulations vq. I wish your DD a speedy recovery. flowers

vampirequeen Sat 29-Aug-15 07:15:02

No name yet. They can't decide between Jessica, Niamh or Martha. I think they will end up with Jessica because that's DD favourite and she's using the 'look at everything I went through' technique on her partner grin

thatbags Sat 29-Aug-15 07:50:02

Congratulations, vamp, and a gentle virtual hug for your DD flowers wine

Nelliemoser Sat 29-Aug-15 07:55:11

This has made me think. DGS1 was born by forceps when he was beginning to show signs of distress. I wonder if that is why he was a dreadful misery guts for his first four months. DGS1 is fine now, a very jolly lad (apart from the usual toddler stuff), but those early months were not fun for DD.

DGS 2 had a water birth and was always a much calmer baby.

bikergran Sat 29-Aug-15 08:50:14

Congrats to all smile

schnackie Sat 29-Aug-15 11:13:03

Many congratulations to you and DD on the birth of her precious baby girl. My own DGD has just turned one, and what a delight to the whole family.
I am a retired paediatric nurse who worked many years in premature nurseries, and I can tell you I would have been reacting so violently to the situation you described that I'm sure my DD would have called security and had me removed. You have described so many dangerous and unnecessary situations it gives me goose bumps to read it.
My own DD lives in America where the medical $$ is all king. She got pregnant with DGS by IVF (which cost a fortune, thankfully she got pregnant on the first round) but then, one year later, she decided she wanted another child. The IVF clinic was more than happy to take her money and she got pregnant again, on the first go, but when they transferred her to OB/GYN to follow her pregnancy, they said she should not have gotten pregnanat so quickly (she'd had a section with DGS) and they would "have to take the baby 3 weeks early" so that her uterus wouldn't have to stretch the full amount. As you can guess, I was clinging to the ceiling at that point. Good thing I live in another country.
To end the story, DGD was born perfect and healthy, albeit only 5 lbs.
As people our age are wont to say "This crap would never have happened in my day!!!"

vampirequeen Sat 29-Aug-15 21:41:05

Today DD told me all the gory details. If I'd had an inkling of what was really happening I'd have been there throwing a mum fit and demanding action. The way she was treated/mistreated was appalling.

Fortunately DD and DGD are OK. Went for my first cuddle today. Was heaven.

MrsBoot Sat 29-Aug-15 22:36:00

Congratulations on the arrival of your DGD and sorry to hear of the distressing delivery. From similar experience suffered by my own DD, her baby benefitted from cranial massage shortly after birth - it certainly seemed to settle her. Your daughter might want to check if it's available in her area.