Harris Stewart Nicholl

Welcome to the world little baby Harris!

He was born on Wednesday 17th October at 2.13pm, weighing 7lbs 2oz.

Harris and Mummy

Harris, Mummy and Daddy

Family Nicholl - What a lucky Mummy I am!

Despite a UTI diagnosed 4 days before my scheduled section date that was causing contractions I made it to  my date without going into labour.

On Wednesday 17th October I arrived at the Labour Suite at Ninewells hospital feeling terrified, relieved that pregnancy was nearly over and excited to meet my wee babba. Despite having to be there at 9am I wasn't taken into theatre until about half 1 ish (I was STARVING!) and little baby Harris Stewart was born at 2.13pm weighing 7lbs 2oz.

We were able to watch Harris enter the world as they lowered the drapes for us at our request, and it was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

The section was very overwhelming as the spinal works incredibly quickly and you sort of fold in two as they lay you down. It can also cause various side effects like low BP, pain in chest, blinding headache and itching. Unbelievably I got them all! Fortunately they are able to give drugs to counteract them but it does mean that your system has been pumped full of a tonne of drugs. The only one that can't be treated completely is the itching and unless it is awful they let the spinal wear off slowly so you keep the pain relief and just give you pirotin which helps but doesn't remove it, so you spend the next 24 hours itching. I had forgotten I had that last time too, but my sis reminded me. I was expecting it to be painful after, but I don't think you can ever be fully prepared for when the pain block wears off - phew! That first night was a bit rough until they upped the drugs a bit. I'm now at the stage where I know when the pain meds have worn off and I remember it is pretty sore, but that first night it was sore even with the drugs!

The team in the labour ward at Ninewells were absolutely lovely and I cannot fault them in anyway, but crickey as soon as you go up into that postnatal ward it is bedlam. Midwives and doctors disappear to get drugs/second opinions and don't return! Again I got NO sleep as there are just so many babies crying and you're in pain etc... Luckily the pain reduced enough the next day to be able to get up and get back to PRI where once again the standard of care is magnificent in the midwife unit. I even had a private room this time. I am so glad to have taken the time to recover as hard as it was to be away from Murray as it has allowed Breast feeding to get going and so far it is like night and day compared to last time, plus I've been able to reduce my pain levels significantly without a toddler wanting to crawl all over me. I got back today and I left PRI feeling quite good, but by the time we arrived home after a 30 min drive I was wiped and I had to feed Harris immediately and then read Murray a story. Thankfully Al's folks took Murray out to the Park then and I was able to lie down and within about 1 minute I was asleep!

When I woke up I came through to Harris needing a feed and Murray stroking Harris' head. Too cute! Even cuter was before he had gone to the park he had wanted to help Al swaddle Harris and it was just too gorgeous to watch him handing his daddy the ends of the blanket to wrap around his little brother.

Vital Stats:

Head Circumference: Harris: 33.3cm    Murray: 33.3cm
Length: Harris: 49cm   Murray: 47.5cm
Weight: Harris: 7lbs 2oz  Murray: 7lbs 15oz
APGAR Score: Harris: 9 @ 1 and 5 mins  Murray: 9 @ 1 and 5 mins.

I am so blessed to have 2 beautiful, beautiful, healthy boys.