So - at 19.54 Wednesday 27th May Lissa messaged me to say her waters had broken - she then called me! Said she was nervous! she was getting pain like strong period pain! If it wasn't for this friggin virus I'd have grabbed my pre-packed bag and made my way to Surrey!
Below is a transcript of our messages to each other....until she found it too painful and couldn't message me anymore.....
I know this is all about Lissa - and I'll put a link in to her blog when she gets around to writing about it....but I went through a range of emotions...I was much more nervous and scared than excited....I could get excited about the baby when I knew she and the baby were okay. In the meantime - I knew that she was in for a world of pain! She was telling me how much pain she was in - when she had such a long way to go - and it was going to get so much worse. I was so scared for her and hated the thought of her having to go through all that.
I called my mum to tell her as she'd not read my message - and she was all excited and at the end of our conversation she said - Tell Lissa we send our love. We both then realised that there was no - "we" and "our" just my mum. We both realised what she'd said and she corrected herself and said - I send my love....we both just paused - and I felt very upset and I got the impression my mum did too. Then when I got off the phone I got quite upset thinking about how my dad should be here and be excited too....
So Lissa has now stopped messaging me - no doubt she is in too much pain and the last thing she will want to do, and will be able to do is message me. So I'll have to wait and just hope that it is quick.
[21:01, 27/05/2020] Sam: how is antony?
[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Really good
[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah contractions started
[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Like 3/4 mins apart
[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Keep pooping haha
[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Going hospital in a second
[21:14, 27/05/2020] Sam: you called them?
[21:16, 27/05/2020] Sam: good get all that poop out now!!
[21:17, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah called them and she said go in for check and they’ll make a plan
[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay - so you didn't suddenly speed up and end up in agony yet then
[21:18, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Erm the contractions are pretty painful
[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: ha!you know nothing yet!!
[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: sorry!! lol
[21:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: how bad are they?
[21:19, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Just like severe period pain
[21:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: btw Andy = grand-dude
[21:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay - that's normal at the beginning -
[21:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: I'm sorry to say it ends up nothing like period pain 🙂
[21:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: but you'll be fine my lil baby!!
[21:26, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’m scaredddddd 😂ðŸ˜
[21:26, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’d like to fast forward time now
[21:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: awwwwww my baby! Im scared too!
[21:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: its exciting too!
[21:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: let me know what they say at the hospital - straight away!!!!!
[21:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: good luck! with a bit of luck you'll be one of those ppl who has the baby in an hour!
[21:43, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I will. Just waiting xxx
[22:03, 27/05/2020] Sam: at hospital?
[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Baby has done a poo
[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But heart rate not showing distress
[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Bit worried
[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But gonna check cervix now and go from there
[22:06, 27/05/2020] Sam: Oh.....
[22:06, 27/05/2020] Sam: Let me know asap
[22:06, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I will do
[22:08, 27/05/2020] Sam: how bad are contractions now?
[22:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Not a whole lot worse tbh
[22:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Still quote bad period and back pains but not excruciating
[22:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay....prob still early then
[22:10, 27/05/2020] Sam: google says baby pooping is v common and not a problem really
[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: So I just asked what the plan is
[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: She said they’ll have a look inside to make sure everything’s okay
[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And then depending on that outcome and how often I’m contracting they may or may not examine me
[22:14, 27/05/2020] Sam: how can they look inside without examining you?
[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I think they mean
[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’m not even sure
[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I was contracting at the time lol
[22:15, 27/05/2020] Sam: lol
[22:16, 27/05/2020] Sam: its happening - you are having a baby!!!!!
[22:17, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Would like to skip to the point it’s done
[22:17, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah...that'd be good
[22:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: let me see a pic f what is going on?
[22:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: see the room - so I can picture where you are and all that
[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww my baby girl(s)
[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah need lots of pics for the blog - you'll be glad of the pics later
[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: as long as you can manage it!
[22:21, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah I will ask Ant to take some
[22:21, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Even if I don’t him to at the time haha
[22:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah - tell him to send me a message so I am at top of his contacts!
[22:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: and he can find it easy later
[22:22, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Okay will do
[22:27, 27/05/2020] Sam: so - I'm gonna send you some cheese and pate for when you are out!! I checked and you can have it when breast feeling!!
[22:27, 27/05/2020] Sam: hahahah breast feeding!!
[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Hahaha mum! Really not the time 😂
[22:28, 27/05/2020] Sam: lol
[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Amazing! Can’t wait
[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And a Prosecco
[22:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: yep!!
[22:30, 27/05/2020] Sam: while you are just sat around waiting - do you prefer brie or camember or both?
[22:32, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Camembert but love em both
[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I got up to stand. This helps
[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Baby is absolutely fine
[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: She said 5/10 more minutes on the monitor and can take off
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Okay....
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Fuck me it hurts
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Contractions that is
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Stand up n take pics n videos
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Really? Getting painful?
[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It’s not attractive
[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah think so but also I don’t think I’ve got a good pain threshold
[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: So probs not that bad
[22:40, 27/05/2020] Sam: Monitor off then.....so no idea of cm dilated?
[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: No think speculum next
[22:41, 27/05/2020] Sam: Ok.....I'll google that
[22:41, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I was gonna and decided against it lol
[22:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: Haha!!
[22:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: You may have what's called a speculum examination. This is when a small instrument covered in gel is inserted into the vagina. This allows the doctor or midwife to check if there is any cause for the bleeding, or confirm if your waters have broken. It isn't painful but it can sometimes be uncomfortable
[22:43, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Omg it hurts so bad
[22:44, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Where are they ðŸ˜
[22:46, 27/05/2020] Sam: get used to waiting around! try n relax....think of the lil baby you've grown!
[22:51, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Asked for pain relief
[22:51, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And she’s gonna come and examine now
[22:52, 27/05/2020] Sam: good - we need to know how far you are.....
[22:53, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww my baby!! don't like that it hurts!
[23:00, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Gas and air good
[23:00, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: 2cm
[23:04, 27/05/2020] Sam: if you think gas and air is good - you are early stages lol - 2cm isn't bad though - its a start!
[23:04, 27/05/2020] Sam: 20% of the way there!
[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I think I have to stay but Ant is allowed to stay with me
[23:07, 27/05/2020] Sam: guess u r staying in then?
[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: They check me in 4 hours to see if I’ve progressed
[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: If not then drop
[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Drip
[23:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Fuuuuuck
[23:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It hurts
[23:08, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww babe....I wasn't lying!
[23:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: 4 hours is a long time!
[23:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: I wish I could share the pain with you - take half of it away for you (not all of it I'd never cope!)
[23:11, 27/05/2020] Sam: what does ant think of the gas and air?
[23:19, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: He’s not here
[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: He’s not allowed in till I have a room
[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Am waiting
[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: In agony faaaaaack
[23:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: he is not with you???
[23:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww is it really bad?
[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Nope. Waiting
[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Pacing, climbing the bed and using gas and air
[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Offered pethidine
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: you want/need it?
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: it can make you feel woozy
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I don’t really
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But it really hurts
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: why u waiting? for a room ffs?
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I wanna see if I can go without
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But then I don’t wanna just get it in the end anyway
[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah
[23:30, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: There’s literally no1 here and I need a drink so bad
[23:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: can u take my call?
[23:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: press button or opendoor and shout
[23:43, 27/05/2020] Sam: me and helen both said the other day that we were pussies and just did nothing when afterwards we wondered why we put up with shit
[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It hurts so bad
[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Antony is here
[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Not really on gas and ai
[23:51, 27/05/2020] Sam: try and relax as much as possible in between....
[23:52, 27/05/2020] Sam: its gonna be hell from here my little girl...when you think you can't take any more whatsoever - you'll be about half way thru - but always getting closer and closer
awww my baby youokay?
Heard nothing - and asked Antony for a pic - and got this at 12.41 am (Lissa would normally be fast asleep by this time)
Conversation with Antony:
[00:43, 28/05/2020] Sam: awww my poor little girl! I'm so sorry its so bad!!
[00:43, 28/05/2020] Sam: I tried to prepare you but I guess telling you doesn't make it any easier!
[01:21, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Talking about pethedine now. We didn’t want during planning but she’s in a lot of pain.
[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: has she thought about just going for the epidural and having no pain at al?
[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: its only going to get much worse
[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: don't tell her I said that
[01:24, 28/05/2020] Sam: why didn't she want it during planning?
[01:25, 28/05/2020] Sam: is it cos you can throw up, dizzy yukky
[01:30, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: She needs to be in established labour for the epi
[01:30, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Checking now
[01:33, 28/05/2020] Sam: what is the definition of established labour cos I'm pretty sure she feels that she is in established labout
[01:35, 28/05/2020] Sam: let me know what they say!!
[01:35, 28/05/2020] Sam: I believe (after checking google) that established labour is 4cm+
[01:56, 28/05/2020] Sam: so.....?
[02:13, 28/05/2020] Sam: is everything okay?
[02:25, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Yeah all good. She had a check not long after last text. It came back as 4cm which means she could have epidural.Guy came in and did that and then just after she finished she got pushing contractions (I have no idea what I’m taking about). They did another check she went from 4 up to 9cm dilated in half an hour. So yah epidural should be kicking in soon and hopefully baby won’t be too long
2.25amConversation with Lissa
[02:48, 28/05/2020] Sam: you able to talk now u had epidural?
[02:49, 28/05/2020] Sam: I'm so proud of you
I video called Lissa at this point - and to my surprise and complete joy - she answered the phone!! She looked good! She was telling me how painful it had got before the contractions....I can't even remember what we were saying - but she started to feel the contractions again and I could see the pain in the face - she was having gas and air again. In the end it started to get too painful and we ended the conversation - apparently they topped up the epidural again and it was easier for her again.
[03:22, 28/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Sorry it got really painful
[03:22, 28/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Am fully dilated now
[03:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: thats okay - so whats the plan now?
[03:23, 28/05/2020] Sam: still waiting an hour?
[03:31, 28/05/2020] Sam: pushhhh.....pussshhhhh
It got to about 4am - and I just could not stay awake any longer...so I went to bed and left the sound on my phone...
I got these messages when I was asleep - didn't wake me up!!
[04:11, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: No more news since last text really. Still haven’t started the pushing but expect that will be starting in half hour ish.
[04:54, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Started pushing but baby heart rate started lowering so they pulled the doc and anaesthetist in who checked over and in mean time baby heart rate went back to normal. Going to try pushing again in 10 and then they’ll look at other options if no joy
[06:39, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Baby arrived
The baby was born at 6.37am!
This is the most beautiful photo ever!!
I have not been able to stop looking at it - and when I zoomed in (because I was looking at it on my phone) and I saw the expression on Lissa's face I cried my eyes out!!! and it is making me cry again now!!
Ada Louise Wheatley - 6lb 2oz
She is adorable! and I am so proud of Lissa - apparently she was pushing for an hour and a half - and baby needed suction to get her out! But she did it!
I didn't wake up until 7.56am - and it was awesome to wake up to these pictures!! I've been chatting to her all morning - she is so happy with her new little baby! She is in some pain - but doing well!!
