The Arrival of Francis James - Part Two - Francis Makes An Early Appearance

The story continues...

Monday 5th March 2007

Mr Williams came to see me quite early in the day with an entourage of other doctors and students. He did another ultrasound taking some detailed measurements of the baby. This took quite a while and when he'd finished he happily declared that the baby was not small after all and Graeme and I both breathed a sigh of relief. We were told that, because of the change in my condition, there was no way that I'd make it to 34 weeks but they would keep me on the medication and try to get an extra week out of the pregnancy. The emphasis was on the word "try" - there was every possiblilty that things could change and the baby would arrive even sooner.

In preparation for us having a premature baby, Graeme and I were given a tour of the Special Care Baby Unit. It was very surreal knowing that our baby would soon be a patient there and I was heartbroken that I wouldn't be able to bring him home. However, it did help seeing that the baby would get fantastic care and I got a great deal of comfort seeing extremely prem babies, some born as early as 24 weeks gestation, absolutely thriving.

Later that day I had some stomach pains, but nothing like I'd experienced on the Saturday. I paced the room trying to ease the pain, but nothing worked. I was given some Lactulose as the midwife suspected it may be wind, but the lactulose just gave me abdominal pains and I ended up having painkillers!

Tuesday 6th March 2007

On Tuesday morning the anaesthetist came to see me. My blood results had come back showing that my platelet count had dropped to dangerous levels overnight (I later read in my notes that my platelets had dropped to 65 when they should have been at least 480). I had repeat bloods done to check that this wasn't a mistake and if the results came back again showing a low count, I would be rushed to theatre for an emergency c-section. The anaesthetist went through all of my options with me just in case delivery was needed. I was very calm at this point and decided I'd like a spinal anasthetic so I'd be awake when the baby came. I really didn't believe that they'd need to deliver the baby so soon.

At around 11:30am my room was suddenly awash with medical staff - doctors, midwives, a consultant, students... you name it, they were there! It was bad news - my count had dropped yet again and I was told in no uncertain terms that the baby had to be delivered immediately. I felt a strange mixture of fear about what was going to happen and excitement at the thought of meeting my little boy. Over the next 20 minutes I was consented, had cannulas inserted and was given a quick whizz through what the proceedure involved. I signed the consent form in a bit of a haze. I didn't even bother reading it - it's not like I had any choice.

I was then whisked away to the theatre, Graeme following anxiously behind me. Graeme doesn't get stressed out about things that often, but I could see the strain showing in his face even though he was trying his best to be strong for me. Graeme wasn't allowed in to the theatre while I was being prepped and had to wait in a room at the other end of the corridor, so I was wheeled into theatre alone. I was terrified.

I was surprised how bright the theatre was - not at all what I'd been expecting, but then maybe I just watch too many hospital dramas. I was transferred onto the operating table and a Theatre Assistant called James introduced himself. I immediately felt a bit more relaxed as James told me that it was his job explain everything that was happening to me. And true to his word he did exactly that. He talked me through every step of the process. I was sat up on the table while the anaesthetist prodded around my back looking for a good place for the spinal. I didn't even feel it go in. I was then laid down and my legs started to go warm until eventually I couldn't feel or move them at all; I actually found this quite funny at the time. I was hooked up to a couple of drips and catheterised, which, it must be said, was possibly the least dignifying experience I've ever had. The lower half of my body was then shielded from view and the surgeons moved in. All the while, James was explaining every step to me, which I found extremely reassuring.

Then Graeme appeared, looking rather pale and anxious, dressed head-to-toe in theatre garb. He sat to my right and held my hand tightly throughout the whole proceedure. I could feel the surgeons doing their stuff, but it didn't hurt; it just felt like they were rummaging about in my insides, which to be fair is exactly what they were doing. I was then told that they were going to press on my tummy to simulate contractions to get the baby out. This was very uncomfortable - I felt like a tube of toothpaste being squeezed down the middle, but with a pneumatic drill. Then at 12:18pm, weighing only 3lb 3oz, our little boy made his early entrance into the world.

I'd prepared myself for the baby to need resuscitation so was shocked when I heard very loud and very strong crying. It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard and I burst into tears; so did Graeme. The baby was checked over (I later found out both his Apgar scores were 9) and wrapped up in blankets. The nurse brought him over for a quick kiss before he was rushed off to the SCBU; I didn't see him again until the following afternoon.

At this point I start to feel very lightheaded and felt like I would pass out. I was quite frightened, but James explained that this was normal and due to a drop in BP. This carried on for some time and I was really struggling to stay awake so was put on 100% oxygen. I then started to feel very sick, which was terrifying considering I was lying on my back and couldn't move. They put a bowl next to my head and sure enough I vomited my guts up several times, managing to get it in my hair. Vomiting over, I started to feel cold and began shaking uncontrollably, which progressed into small convulsions. Graeme was convinced I was having a fit, but the anaesthetist assured Graeme that this was a normal reaction to the anasthetic. I felt bloody awful and the lack of control over my body was quite frightening. I can remember feeling terrified that I would lose consciousness and never wake up again. This was not what I had in mind for my first experience of giving birth.

Ordeal over, I was moved to recovery while Graeme went back to my room to wait for me. In recovery I was surprised to see Jane in the next bay - I very nearly had stolen her theatre slot! My convulsing continued for quite a while and I was kept on oxygen while I struggled to stay awake. It was a very unnerving experience having to make so much effort to speak or even lift my hand. A nurse brought me a couple of photos of Francis and I just lay there staring at them trying to process what had just happened. Was that REALLY my baby?

I was in recovery for an hour (so I'm told - things get very hazy after this) and can remember being wheeled back to my room. I was quite lucid to start with so Graeme and I were able to choose a name for our new arrival. We decided on Francis, after Fran, my midwife and James, after my Great-Grandad. I was hooked up to a morphine PCA (Patient Controlled Analgaesia), IV fluids and IV BP medication. I was also shocked to discover that I had a drain in my wound. The BP meds meant that I was virtually nil by mouth - I could only have 40ml of water to sip every hour. I eventually learned to make 40ml last quite a while! When the midwife stopped my drip for an hour so I could have tea and toast, I felt like I was having the most wonderful meal I'd ever had. Although the morphine was fantastic pain relief it did make me hallucinate. I had visits from the doctor and conversations with Graeme that never actually happened. Every time I closed my eyes I could hear whispering in my ears and had the sensation of people touching my legs, so I was very reluctant to go to sleep. A couple of days later I read through my notes and was shocked that I had no memory of some of the things written in it. This was not how I'd imagined I'd be spending the first day of my baby's life.

Third and final part coming soon...