Get the hospital bag, her waters have broken!
Discussion
2 proceeding trips to hospital which started on the Saturday...third time lucky perhaps? Hopefully - but in any respect the time is getting close. In fact she’s 8 days overdue now.
The first trip was an examination lasting a couple of hours hooked up to a machine which monitors the contractions. The second, an exhausting night trying to "sleep" on the floor of the delivery suite whilst my Pethadin injected partner struggles to cope with the pain! She’d bottled out of the Vindaloo I’d ordered that evening on the advice of one of the Midwives earlier that day – meaning that I’d necked it - so at least I wasn’t hungry!
That night I was awoken (from what can only be the sleep equivalent of water-torture) every 5 minutes by my partner’s contractions. I will be the first to admit that I certainly seemed to have the easy end of things by far, but even I was exhausted.
It was undoubtedly a very uncomfortable night but in the morning we found ourselves being sent home again at 10am, under the advice to "Come back later when you feel like you need to".
Living a good 30-35 minutes away from the Hospital, we decided that it would be a good idea to stop off at her mum’s place which is nearer on the off chance that we had to jump back in the car - a decision which I will always be grateful for making.
On arrival at the outlaws, I'm the thankful recipient of the mother-of-all-fry-ups which was a 10/10 on the good-bad-food chart. It certainly hit the spot
. Mum takes my partner to the bathroom having run a nice hot bath for her to relax in. I made light work of the bacon, sausages, beans and eggs – and before long, we were getting down to the important stuff - chatting about motorbikes and cars with my partners step dad! An hour or so passes in what only seems like an instant as we enthused over the previous weeks stories - which of course involves cars we'd seen on PH and eBay and what we're each thinking about buying this week!
Suddenly our topic of conversation is cut short and rudely interrupted when her mum runs back in:-
"Get the hospital bag, her waters have broken!"
This is one of those moments where your body feels weightless and you can feel and hear the fine hairs stand up on the skin of your cheek and brow. Did I just hear that? ...What were we talking about?!!!!! Waters? Broken? Yeah right....erm, you’re really not joking are you. Oh s
t.....!
Well yes, I did hear that right!
Hospital bag. Waters broken? Thank god I brought the BMW - It's got leather so it’s wipe-clean! Amazing how and what you think when you're told that - Almost like a "thinking" version of tourettes. Thank god no one heard!
I rush to the car and throw a towel on to the back seat before chucking the hospital bag on to the front.
My girlfriend, who at this point is hysterical, is being helped slowly towards the car by her mum. She's writhing in pain and won't bend down to get in the car - but she eventually is persuaded and manages to get in. She's sitting bolt upright, legs tense and straight with pain meaning that her head’s practically touching the roof lining. Her mum sits next to her trying to calm her.
I'll never forget the screams! I try to compose myself, somewhat succeed and relax – I’m not going to get the red mist or drive on adrenalin. This will be a calm journey, and I am very aware that I have the highest responsibility to get their safely.
I haven't got a clue how long we have to make the 20 minute journey to the hospital... but by the looks of it, not long. At least it’s a Sunday and the road’s relatively clear.
I can’t help but to think back to all the times we've actually joked about this...but it’s actually happening. I’d never have though it would happen like this. Not in a million years. It's supposed to be planned, pre-arranged...isn't it?
The BMW has a smooth drive with a silky auto-box and torque on tap with the tweaked 3.0 Turbo Diesel straight six. The only *issue* might be the Sports Suspension through the bigger BMW Alloys over the bumpy country lanes which lead to the main A-Road dual carriageway, and so I make our way slowly and smoothly, trying to pick out the smaller potholes and bumps wherever possible. It’s slow going but unavoidable.
If I can’t hear the screams, a quick glance in my rear view mirror reminds me that I have to get there quickly - not that I need reminding of course, but my poor little Mrs is struggling, scared and in pain.
The change of road surface was welcomed and immediately noticeable (as was “D” giving way to “Sport” mode). The bumpy and worn country lane gave way to a comparatively smooth, wide road – Dual carriageway, NSL. I think back to my daily commute along this road. Never has there been a worse road for the "Keep Right Brigade" and today would prove to be no exception.
I accelerate smoothly and before long am seeing over 130 without even trying. Thankfully the car’s a cruiser and it sits firm as if being driven at 60. There’s usually a good police presence on this road – but today IS an exception. However even if it wasn’t I wouldn’t have slowed up.
It’s about 11:20am but I have my lights on. I remain well aware of my surroundings and exactly how fast I am driving. I quickly encounter the first of many Keep right brigaders. I really cannot afford to get stuck behind any one on this journey - but equally can not take any risks. I switch on my Full beam around 600 yards on approach and indicate right. With a few flashes of the Main Beam, they move over to the clear left hand lane enabling me to pass without having to slow too much. I thank them by a couple of flashes of the hazards - I am driving fast but want to avoid looking (or acting) like a prick. I am however driving well within my abilities and remain composed and calm. I am not flooring it and I’m not panicking. A few more vehicles come and we go by in a similar way. Some people notice there’s clearly a drama and any weird looks or frowns given by the people we are passing are soon dissolved when the glance in to the back of my car. My girlfriends no mime artist and it’s pretty damn obvious what’s going on.
I leave the Dual Carriageway and make my way up the slip road at a safe speed. The lights are red at the top but nothing is waiting and the road is clear. I stop but decide it is safe and necessary to go through the red light and continue towards the signs to the Hospital, A&E. I progress via a trading estate and on to the main roads which are busier.
I have full beam on regardless and make my way safely passed several cars in a calm and composed manner. My girlfriend is crying and it’s very hard to watch or hear. These aren’t the normal overtakes that I would do but nevertheless are safe - and so I take advantage of a clear oncoming road and make good progress. I’m stringently scanning the surroundings like a hawk.
Disappointingly, I do meet Mr 25mph…this is frustrating...I *could* go passed but I don’t want to drive irresponsibly – so I bide my time. I am indicating to try to get him to let me passed. There’s a bit of a show going on in the back of the car which wouldn’t have been out of place in a Hollywood Movie. I flash my lights but Mr 29 looks at me in the rear view with a vacant stare – I assume he understandably thinks I’m just an impatient nob jockey and remains at an inhibiting 25-29mph. Fair enough I suppose but I eventually find a safe place to pass him and before long am turning left in to the A&E department (I hope now he realises why I was flashing my lights).
I abandon my car at the front of the Maternity suite but make sure it’s not blocking anything. No time to park. I make my way down to tell the midwives that we are back and explain the situation. I grab a chair with wheels and head back towards the car only to find my Girlfriend in tears in the Hospital Corridor. She refuses to sit in the chair in favour of hobbling towards the maternity suite whilst gripping her mums arm in one hand, my arm in the other - so that we can take her weight. My arm feels like it’s in a Vice…. In to the Maternity suite, in to the unknown........!
I can honestly say that this is one of the most Horrific experiences I have ever been through yet strangely wonderful at the same time.
After much pushing, much breathing, copious amounts of Gas and Air, a decent shot of Pethadin plus a hormone drip we had a little boy weighing in at a healthy 7lb 7oz
A little car-buddy in the making! Mummy's doing us both proud.
…Awaiting the NIP, but even if it comes it’ll be worth it.
G.
The first trip was an examination lasting a couple of hours hooked up to a machine which monitors the contractions. The second, an exhausting night trying to "sleep" on the floor of the delivery suite whilst my Pethadin injected partner struggles to cope with the pain! She’d bottled out of the Vindaloo I’d ordered that evening on the advice of one of the Midwives earlier that day – meaning that I’d necked it - so at least I wasn’t hungry!
That night I was awoken (from what can only be the sleep equivalent of water-torture) every 5 minutes by my partner’s contractions. I will be the first to admit that I certainly seemed to have the easy end of things by far, but even I was exhausted.
It was undoubtedly a very uncomfortable night but in the morning we found ourselves being sent home again at 10am, under the advice to "Come back later when you feel like you need to".
Living a good 30-35 minutes away from the Hospital, we decided that it would be a good idea to stop off at her mum’s place which is nearer on the off chance that we had to jump back in the car - a decision which I will always be grateful for making.
On arrival at the outlaws, I'm the thankful recipient of the mother-of-all-fry-ups which was a 10/10 on the good-bad-food chart. It certainly hit the spot
. Mum takes my partner to the bathroom having run a nice hot bath for her to relax in. I made light work of the bacon, sausages, beans and eggs – and before long, we were getting down to the important stuff - chatting about motorbikes and cars with my partners step dad! An hour or so passes in what only seems like an instant as we enthused over the previous weeks stories - which of course involves cars we'd seen on PH and eBay and what we're each thinking about buying this week!Suddenly our topic of conversation is cut short and rudely interrupted when her mum runs back in:-
"Get the hospital bag, her waters have broken!"
This is one of those moments where your body feels weightless and you can feel and hear the fine hairs stand up on the skin of your cheek and brow. Did I just hear that? ...What were we talking about?!!!!! Waters? Broken? Yeah right....erm, you’re really not joking are you. Oh s
t.....!Well yes, I did hear that right!
Hospital bag. Waters broken? Thank god I brought the BMW - It's got leather so it’s wipe-clean! Amazing how and what you think when you're told that - Almost like a "thinking" version of tourettes. Thank god no one heard!
I rush to the car and throw a towel on to the back seat before chucking the hospital bag on to the front.
My girlfriend, who at this point is hysterical, is being helped slowly towards the car by her mum. She's writhing in pain and won't bend down to get in the car - but she eventually is persuaded and manages to get in. She's sitting bolt upright, legs tense and straight with pain meaning that her head’s practically touching the roof lining. Her mum sits next to her trying to calm her.
I'll never forget the screams! I try to compose myself, somewhat succeed and relax – I’m not going to get the red mist or drive on adrenalin. This will be a calm journey, and I am very aware that I have the highest responsibility to get their safely.
I haven't got a clue how long we have to make the 20 minute journey to the hospital... but by the looks of it, not long. At least it’s a Sunday and the road’s relatively clear.
I can’t help but to think back to all the times we've actually joked about this...but it’s actually happening. I’d never have though it would happen like this. Not in a million years. It's supposed to be planned, pre-arranged...isn't it?
The BMW has a smooth drive with a silky auto-box and torque on tap with the tweaked 3.0 Turbo Diesel straight six. The only *issue* might be the Sports Suspension through the bigger BMW Alloys over the bumpy country lanes which lead to the main A-Road dual carriageway, and so I make our way slowly and smoothly, trying to pick out the smaller potholes and bumps wherever possible. It’s slow going but unavoidable.
If I can’t hear the screams, a quick glance in my rear view mirror reminds me that I have to get there quickly - not that I need reminding of course, but my poor little Mrs is struggling, scared and in pain.
The change of road surface was welcomed and immediately noticeable (as was “D” giving way to “Sport” mode). The bumpy and worn country lane gave way to a comparatively smooth, wide road – Dual carriageway, NSL. I think back to my daily commute along this road. Never has there been a worse road for the "Keep Right Brigade" and today would prove to be no exception.
I accelerate smoothly and before long am seeing over 130 without even trying. Thankfully the car’s a cruiser and it sits firm as if being driven at 60. There’s usually a good police presence on this road – but today IS an exception. However even if it wasn’t I wouldn’t have slowed up.
It’s about 11:20am but I have my lights on. I remain well aware of my surroundings and exactly how fast I am driving. I quickly encounter the first of many Keep right brigaders. I really cannot afford to get stuck behind any one on this journey - but equally can not take any risks. I switch on my Full beam around 600 yards on approach and indicate right. With a few flashes of the Main Beam, they move over to the clear left hand lane enabling me to pass without having to slow too much. I thank them by a couple of flashes of the hazards - I am driving fast but want to avoid looking (or acting) like a prick. I am however driving well within my abilities and remain composed and calm. I am not flooring it and I’m not panicking. A few more vehicles come and we go by in a similar way. Some people notice there’s clearly a drama and any weird looks or frowns given by the people we are passing are soon dissolved when the glance in to the back of my car. My girlfriends no mime artist and it’s pretty damn obvious what’s going on.
I leave the Dual Carriageway and make my way up the slip road at a safe speed. The lights are red at the top but nothing is waiting and the road is clear. I stop but decide it is safe and necessary to go through the red light and continue towards the signs to the Hospital, A&E. I progress via a trading estate and on to the main roads which are busier.
I have full beam on regardless and make my way safely passed several cars in a calm and composed manner. My girlfriend is crying and it’s very hard to watch or hear. These aren’t the normal overtakes that I would do but nevertheless are safe - and so I take advantage of a clear oncoming road and make good progress. I’m stringently scanning the surroundings like a hawk.
Disappointingly, I do meet Mr 25mph…this is frustrating...I *could* go passed but I don’t want to drive irresponsibly – so I bide my time. I am indicating to try to get him to let me passed. There’s a bit of a show going on in the back of the car which wouldn’t have been out of place in a Hollywood Movie. I flash my lights but Mr 29 looks at me in the rear view with a vacant stare – I assume he understandably thinks I’m just an impatient nob jockey and remains at an inhibiting 25-29mph. Fair enough I suppose but I eventually find a safe place to pass him and before long am turning left in to the A&E department (I hope now he realises why I was flashing my lights).
I abandon my car at the front of the Maternity suite but make sure it’s not blocking anything. No time to park. I make my way down to tell the midwives that we are back and explain the situation. I grab a chair with wheels and head back towards the car only to find my Girlfriend in tears in the Hospital Corridor. She refuses to sit in the chair in favour of hobbling towards the maternity suite whilst gripping her mums arm in one hand, my arm in the other - so that we can take her weight. My arm feels like it’s in a Vice…. In to the Maternity suite, in to the unknown........!
I can honestly say that this is one of the most Horrific experiences I have ever been through yet strangely wonderful at the same time.
After much pushing, much breathing, copious amounts of Gas and Air, a decent shot of Pethadin plus a hormone drip we had a little boy weighing in at a healthy 7lb 7oz
A little car-buddy in the making! Mummy's doing us both proud.…Awaiting the NIP, but even if it comes it’ll be worth it.
G.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 21st February 15:34
Congratulations Dad!
This time exactly a year ago, I was sat in the Maternity section at Liverpool Womens' Hospital waiting for things to progress after a slightly calmer drive in - albeit with some very FIRM instructions to drive smoothly!
Which I did, and also arrived quicker than my wife was expecting, she doesn't always click that smooth - even in an old banger - can be quite fast (& safe of course).
...and in 9 hrs time, my daughter arrived - amidst scenes reminiscant of a Somme battlefield Hospital. ("Sorry, we've no time for a local, baby's got to come out NOW!")
I will never forget how I felt when I held my daughter for the very first time.
I will never forget my horror at being presented with baby poo.
I can never remember what it was like to sleep for 9hrs!
Welcome to the madhouse that will be the rest of your life. It's great!
This time exactly a year ago, I was sat in the Maternity section at Liverpool Womens' Hospital waiting for things to progress after a slightly calmer drive in - albeit with some very FIRM instructions to drive smoothly!
Which I did, and also arrived quicker than my wife was expecting, she doesn't always click that smooth - even in an old banger - can be quite fast (& safe of course)....and in 9 hrs time, my daughter arrived - amidst scenes reminiscant of a Somme battlefield Hospital. ("Sorry, we've no time for a local, baby's got to come out NOW!")
I will never forget how I felt when I held my daughter for the very first time.
I will never forget my horror at being presented with baby poo.
I can never remember what it was like to sleep for 9hrs!
Welcome to the madhouse that will be the rest of your life. It's great!
RZ1 said:
Congrats, but more importantly what BMW???
You mentioned the 3 litre diesel and sport suspension so either the 530D or 330D?
If the 330 must have been the E46 or an E90 without runflats?
She's an E39 530D Sport which we've had from new and is a belter! Tuning box added [dont know how much difference it really makes, certainly not as much as on my other cars], swirl flaps removed.You mentioned the 3 litre diesel and sport suspension so either the 530D or 330D?
If the 330 must have been the E46 or an E90 without runflats?
Thanks for the congrats everyone! I've never been so exhausted as I felt after watching the labour. Dread to think how the mrs felt bless her!
I cut the cord too!
Took a few chomps but got through it!We were even offered to take the Placenta home (but as we dont have a dog we declined! LOL! )
Oh - top tip. They dont like it if you ask them to wipe the baby down before they hand it to you. But it did come out of my white Superdry T-Shirt in the end!!!!!!
Edited by Gallen on Monday 21st February 15:58
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff