Our IVF Miracle - Samuel Jude, AKA Little Pup

[tasha pasha]

Hello all.

I still can't quite believe that I can finally post the birth story of our son, Samuel Jude or Little Pup as he became known while he grew in my belly. I am just so happy to be able to introduce him to you all after a somewhat difficult road to get here.

Background
DH & I decided to TTC in May 2005. After thinking my cycle was back in sync, I got pregnant naturally in September that year but sadly suffered an early m/c in October. My cycle then went completely AWOL so we sought specialist treatment in May 2006. I was diagnosed as PCOS so tried Metformin initially which lead to a pregnancy in June 2006 which again failed. We then tried Clomid and after a couple of cycles, I fell pregnant in November 2006. Unfortunately the pregnancy was ectopic which ruptured leading to the emergency removal of my right tube. We then decided to try IVF. I did my first cycle in Feb 2007 - 30 eggs were collected & 11 embryos developed but we didn't make it to transfer due to OHSS. We then tried 3 FETs, all of which failed. My second egg pick up gave us 4 eggs, 3 embryos, of which 1 embryo was frozen and 1 was transferred. This 1 little embryo became Little Pup who decided he (not that we knew Little Pup was a he at this point) wanted to meet his mum and dad in the flesh for which we are just eternally grateful.

Little Pup's Arrival
Little Pup was due to arrive on Anzac Day. In the weeks leading up to the EDD, we had very little action - baby's head was down but there was no sign of any engagement right up until the Monday before Little Pup was born. I was booked in to be induced on 29th April and was convinced Little Pup would need coaxing to come out.

Anzac Day and again, absolutely no action. We had visitors, I did a heap of housework, gardening and anything else to keep me amused. We even sat down and watch a couple of movies that night with no inkling that labour was just around the corner. I was woken up at about 2:15am with a really hard, low kick deep in my pelvis followed by the sensation of waters 'popping'. I got up and went to the loo where there was a lot more fluid than I was expecting. I didn't have any contractions at this point but had a sore tummy so jumped in the shower...I even washed my hair! I went to get back into bed but felt more leaking and then started feeling some rhythmic pain so got up to time them. I had just sat down on the couch when I had some major leaking so that was when I woke DH up. I then rang the hospital, told them what was going on and was advised to come in straight away.

We spent the next half hour stuffing around, re-packing my bag (I had intended on doing that that very day!), sorting out animals etc before we finally left for the hospital which was about 30 mins away. Mild contractions set in coming about every 3-4 minutes but it wasn't long before they became strong enough that I couldn't talk through them. By this stage, they were coming every 1-2 minutes and I was beginning to think we would be having our baby on the side of the motorway. Made it to hospital in record time (I hate to think how fast DH was actually driving) by which time the contractions were incredibly painful and the seat was completely drenched in amniotic fluid - really charming let me tell you!

We arrived at about 3:30am and I was guided directly into the labour suite where I was hooked up to the fetal monitor for about 30 mins so the contractions could be measured etc. The ob came at about 4am who advised that Little Pup still wasn't engaged but that everything was going well. I used the shower for pain relief initially but after about an hour or so, asked for the gas. They advised me that given the intensity of my contractions the gas would be useless and to use pethidine instead. I had the pethidine, which really didn't take away much of the pain, and continued to labour. I was hooked back up to the fetal monitor at this time which showed that with every contraction, Little Pup's heart rate dropped to the point that he was becoming distressed. By 6:30am, the intensity of the contractions was so high and so excruiatingly painful, that the ob was really concerned about Little Pup's heartrate and advised that he felt a c-section would be necessary. Before going through with the c-section though, the ob advised he would administer the spinal block and give Little Pup the chance to drop into my pelvis.

After getting the block, it became apparent that Little Pup was going nowhere but was becoming increasingly distressed so a c-section it was. Our gorgeous son, Samuel Jude, was born at 7:36am on 26th April 2008 after a very painful but short labour. Sam is named for my great, great grandad and my Mum, Judith, who died from breast cancer in June 2007. I truly believe that my Mum is Sam's guardian angel and watched over him from the start of the pregnancy to his arrival and I know she will continue to look after him.

A New Life
Although I was not expecting to have a c-section, the whole experience was truly amazing. My DH was the best support I could have asked for and the nursing and medical staff were truly brilliant. I am recovering really well from the surgery and figure the way Sam arrived and the pain associated with the surgery, are nothing compared to the effort to become parents in the first place.

Sam is sleeping and feeding really well...so far...and has settled in at home well also. I now just can't imagine not having Sam in our lives and am so completely in love with him. I never thought I was a baby person but I am just loving having this perfect little man with me all the time. I particularly love the cuddles and now finally understand a parent's love for their child. DH and I just so very, very happy and can't imagine life any other way.

Thank you to all for your support through this journey, particularly my friends in TTC with ART and DAART. I can't wait to now compare the trials and tribulations of parenthood with you all as we continue our journey.

Tasha xx

[skyblu]

gorgeous story tasha!!

welcome little pup.... samuel jude!

am very happy to hear you are all settling in very well!

[Jaybe]

Welcome Samuel Jude and congrats Tasha!!! You deserve it hun after all this time and I am so glad to hear both of you are doing really well

[Lisa]

Fantastic Story!!!

Welcome Samuel!!!

[Meggy]

Oh Tasha,

Beautifully written. I've got tears in my eyes.

I haven't written my birth story but maybe I should before it becomes a too distant memory!

I love the name you and DH chose and am sure your mum must be delighted and watching over Sam every minute.

It's such a truly amazing time, I'm loving every minute.

Happy baby gazing.

Megx

[Emmsie]

Tasha - what a wonderful story to read

A BIG congrats on the safe arrival of Samuel.

[morgs]

Tasha, you did a great job in what sounds like a fast and furious labour (the complete opposite to mine). I'm happy to hear that Samuel Jude has settled in well... so far... I think we are both in the same mind frame of "I hope it lasts". But it doesn't matter because we are baby gazing... Congratulations again!

[snoopygirl]

Wonderful birth story Tasha, keeps us ART girls inspired to keep on keeping on.

Congratulations on the arrival of Samuel Jude (can't wait to see pics!)

[NickyWicky]

Welcome Samuel (wonderful choice of name ) and congratulations Tasha! Lovely birth story too.

[joji]

Tasha, congrats again on the long awaited arrival of Little Pup. Stories like yours give me hope and strength to continue on the hard TTC journey.

Welcome to baby Samuel Jude and thanks so much for sharing his birth story.