William Crombie Frost

Born- 11th of December 2007
Weighed- 8.9 pounds
Length- 50cm

The Labor Experience-

I went into Labor on Monday the 10th of December, my waters broke (gushed,) and Peter and I were straight into the car, on our way to Wollongong hospital. Peter was very excited, I myself felt reserved and focused. It was finally all happening after waiting so long.

We were admitted to the birth unit and I was monitored on a CTG machine for awhile, this tests the length and strength of contractions and Williams foetal movements and heartbeat. They confirmed that it was only the beginning, but we were certainly in business.

They gave me sleeping tablets to try and get me to sleep through the night as I was to have a huge day ahead. They had plans of inducing me further with hormones the following morning, as my waters had broken, and leaving bub inside the uterus too long when this happens can open them up to infection. Peter slept on the floor of my room, we didn't want to be apart, and luckily the birthing team allowed us to do so. Pete and I don't often like being without one another, especially at times like these, as we love each other deeply and are at ease with the world when we are around one another. He is the most supportive man I know, and has proven himself to be a great father and partner.

The sleeping tablets didn't really work, but anyway, around 9am I was put on a hormone drip and the contractions strengthened instantaneously. Very quickly I was on the floor on all fours, I will try to spare the ugly details as it was a very humbling, painful, and personal experience for Peter and myself; as well as the fact that I know that I'd turn your stomachs describing the minute details. I have never felt so exposed, vulnerable, animal or primal. I lost all my inhibitions that day.

The gas made me terribly sick, and the contractions were beginning to double up on one another. This was having a bad effecton myself and William. Not long after I was administered an epidural, Peter had to hold me tightly so I wouldn't move, as during the contractions, I often felt the need to flail about and scream, as it was a release. It took awhile, but it gave me the relief I needed to become somewhat semi-human again.

I knew something might have been up when they had extra people in the room. They started looking at the CTG a lot, and checking me more often. They put a probe on William's head whilst still in utero, to monitor his heartbeats more accurately. They were slowing and quickening at intervals, this was not a good sign. So they made a decision for an emergency Caesarean, which I was to be awake for. I could still feel through the anesthetic that they were using for the Caesar, for a long period before going onto the operating table. I could see the worry on their faces, as much as they tried to control it.

My heartbeat hit 160 on the table and I didn't agree with anesthetic, I could feel what was happening, especially towards the end when they began to stitch me back up. It was a close call and I reacted badly to the anesthetic.

They didn't allow Peter in until William was being pulled out of my uterus, incase things didn't go to plan. First thing I heard was William cry, straight away, they held him up over the sheet and I got to see him. Peter was there at that point and it was an incredibly emotional experience for us both.

At 3:37pm our beautiful son came into the world.