June 1st the story continues

This is events that followed the birth of Oren.

Oren was wrapped in blankets and placed on the cot used straight after birth. I was still focused on Oren and waiting impatiently for what i thought would take place next i.e. him being weighed mummy being moved to a bed the three of us together etc etc

Mummy had been moved from the pool to the bed in the active birth room and was being attended to by Eileen. I was merrily taking pics of Oren when i realised steph was in background and ob in alot of pain and Eileen was being very attentive. Once i realised this i went over to sit with her and find out what was happening.

I felt quite guilty at this point for almost seeming to forget about her for a few minutes.

Eileen explained that she had torn during delivery and she would get somebody to sort her out as soon as possible. We just sat there for the next 50mins or so gently talking but mainly with steph trying to put a brave face on when she was obviously in a lot of pain. Eileen then returned to explain that someone would be with her soon but they couldnt stitch her for at least an hour as she had been in the pool. Was feeling quite out of sorts at this time as nothing seemed to be way i thought it would. I didnt even remember to question when Oren would be weighed checked etc etc

Next couple of hours are a bit of a blur and i am struggling to recall more than the fact Steph was in lot of pain very uncomfortable on what was basically a pallet getting more and more distressed. Tried bringing her Oren but she was in to much pain to even enjoy that. Periodically i went to try and see what was happening, and for me stayed very calm as inside i was churning!!

Finally we were moved back to the room we were originally in, there was bit of a cafuffle putting up the stirrups and they were quite rough and harsh getting steph in them. Kim introduced herself as the senior on ward who would be doing the stiching and i wasnt impressed with the attitude of either her or the other woman at the time. They proceeded to cover steph in clothes etc etc and get the light in right place and when Kim settled down to stitch steph a definate change of attitude took place as it became apparent she was quite shocked with amount of work to be done.(later she stated that it was the most repair work she had had to do in years!!

She started to try and numb Steph to be able to start the stitching she used a complete vial of 10ml and it seemed to have little or no effect. At this point steph really was quite distressed chugging on gas and air which seemed to be having no effect. Kim's attitude really had chnaged and she was obviously determined having kept steph waiting so long she was going to the best job she could. 20ml more lanocaine was used and partiale numbness was achieved. Im not sure how much steph heard or was aware but Kim and I were talking in hushed voices as she explaine dsteph had 4 tears, both labia were torn and her perineum was torn inside and out and in a Y shape. She said she was going to stitch everything even though labia wernt often stitched but by stitching they would be exactly as they were before.

She very patiently did her work, stopping and checking on steph frequently, nearly 2 hours later she finished!! steph was still in alot of pain but obvious relief it was over. we were then left quietly. ABout an hour after i had chased them a couple of time another lady joined us and weighed Oren, then she had to clean him as in the 6 odd hours since he had been born he had had a poo! 7lb 3oz was his weight. Steph was laying on her side at this point as only position with even vague sense of being comfortable in. she was surprised that nobody had covered breast feeding with steph or even fact nothing at all had been done with him. She then very quickly latched him on whilst steph was on her side. I doubt steph learned much in that instance.

By this point i was absolutely drained so rest is bit of a blur we were taken to the ward all i could think was i couldnt stay so no sooner did we get to the ward than i left steph to it although i do remember us agreeing i wasnt going to rush in morning to get there when visiting started at 10.

I then prompty drove home very slowly and fell alseep.