Tania and Andrew are pleased to announce the birth of their
first child, Daniel William on the 4th of October 2005 at 14:10
in the Royal Women's Hospital,
Daniel weighed 3040g (6 lbs 11oz in the old money)
The birth went fairly well, but there were a few minor hick ups after the birth.
I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 33 weeks so I was induced at 40 weeks. They don’t like a pregnancy to go over time if you have diabetes. I was able to manage my diabetes very well through diet only and did not need to use insulin.
The official “due date” was Monday, the 3rd of October.
On the Sunday night I was administered the gel to begin the labour and then sent home
When I was checked out by my obstetrician on the Monday morning she said little had changed so I was given the gel again and told to walk around the hospital and surrounding area for about 6 hours.
We went for a light lunch, coffee and walk in the park. I was then admitted into the hospital overnight and the labour pains started to come every 15 minutes for about 30 seconds from 21:00 hrs till the morning.
In the morning my obstetrician checked me again and thank god I had progressed enough for her to break my waters. Soon after I requested an epidural and it was the best thing I did. The next few hours later I felt little pain - even the birth was tolerable.
Daniel came out with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice!! Also he had moved so he was at an angle and just to add to the fun, he had his hand on his head when he was delivered.
During the labour there were a couple points at which Daniel’s foetal heart rate dropped. After seeing how close to birth Daniel was, and given that we didn’t want to further distress him, my obstetrician decided to use a ventouse (a KIWI) to speed up the birth.
After a tricky delivery he came out but was a white as a ghost. This (we think) was due to the fact that I bled during the labour.
Andrew cut the umbilical cord and Daniel William Robbins announced his arrival with a little cry.
He was taken to special care shortly after the birth for checks but recovered quickly and was allowed back down to the ward with me about 24 hrs later.
It all happened quite quickly and I only got to hold him for about 30 seconds at first.
That was disappointing, but of course, what is best for him is what matters.
Plenty of time for cuddles now!
On day three the midwives found he as a little jaundice so he spent the next day under the phototherapy lights.
We were finally given the OK to go home on Saturday and although I only got about 3 hours sleep the hours I did sleep in the comfort of my own bed was just the best.
He has lots of hair- I am glad that he has inherited that gene from me (I tease Andrew and tell him that his son has more hair than he does!).
Well we have survived the first week at home and I think all is going much better. Daniel is feeding better and sleeping longer. Andrew goes back to work on October 31st so it will all be up to me after that. He has been fantastic and I don’t think I could have got through the first month without his support and help.
I am doing well and after being home now for just over a week I am feeling much more rested and have lots more energy. Daniel is sleeping on average 2-3 hours each time and it is taking me about 1 hour to breast feed, change and settle him before he sleeps again. As you can see, my day now revolves around the feeding times. All is going well and he is generally a good boy who will only cry if he is hungry. He is getting much more alert as the days pass and is now starting to spend a few minutes looking around and staying awake after feeds.
Tania, Andrew & Daniel, 17/10/2005
Unless noted otherwise, all content copyright Andrew Robbins ©2005. - - Last updated 05-11-2005