Katharine was very concerned that she might develop eclampsia during labour, which can lead to convulsions or seizures. In fact, as I explained to her, this is a rare condition that is unlikely to occur when pre-eclampsia has been diagnosed. Due to her high blood pressure and the weight of the baby (estimated at about 9 pounds/4kilograms), Katharine agree to be induced when she was two weeks overdue.
THE LABOUR
Although it was long (17 hours), labour went relatively smoothly for Katharine. She was induced at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, and at 1:00 p.m. felt relaxed enough to send her husband Adam to her mother’s for lunch… on the condition that he bring her back some of her favourite cake. Katharine used a TENS machine, which is supposed to stimulate natural painkillers through the transmission of electrical impulses. She was put on it late, however, so she’s not sure whether it helped or not. At midnight, 15 hours later, she asked for an epidural – something she had sworn not to do – and after that everything was all right. At 1:45 A.M. on Tuesday she was given an episiotomy (which she didn’t feel at all), and about ten minutes later forceps were used to pull Natasha out.
