Mumsnet Talk

There was a request for the announcement. Apologies for the delay.

Bit of background - DS1, now nearly 3, came rather quickly at hospital in London - it was six hours from first contraction to delivery. So, we were concerned that number 2 would put in a similarly speedy appearance and because I discovered I'm a carrier of Group B Strep chose to go to our closest hospital 8 miles away. MarsLady (our AnteNatal Goddess from DS1) talked DH through what to do in case of precipitous delivery - we laughed about the concept of burly ambulance men etc.

Birth story -
On Tuesday night, my contractions started at around midnight.
I then proceeded to bring up my supper over a couple of hours. (sorry if tmi)
DH rang the hospital (about 15 mins away) and they told us to call back in an hour.
We did so, when contractions were about 7 mins apart but really taking my breath away.
We told them how quickly DS1 had arrived and they said to come in.

On arrival, I was examined and the midwife said I wasn't in active labour.
She said that my cervix was posterior and couldn't be reached and that judging by the way my abdomen was moving that these weren't real contractions.

We again emphasised the speediness of DS1's birth but she advised us to go home, take some paracetamol, have a warm bath which would either speed things up or stop them and to call back when the contractions were 3 in 10 minutes and lasting a full minute.

So taking the advice of the medical professional - we came home. I had a bath, some Panadol and did lots of heavy breathing through the contractions.

A couple of hours later DH rang the hospital and advised them we were coming in again as contractions were now 3 in 10 minutes.

So I got dressed to leave at which point my waters broke -with what I believe is technically called a gush.

I changed my trousers, came down the stairs and while DH was organising the coats in the car, I started wanting to push.

I went to the loo and could feel the head at which point I yelled at DH that the baby was coming.

With the next contraction Elliot was born!

He gave a cry, we wrapped him up in towels and DH called 999.

Unfortunately I was still having contractions but wasn't able to deliver the placenta and struggled to feed him straightaway.

The first paramedic arrived in about 5-10 mins. He clamped the cord and gave me some much needed gas and air and put a tiny emergency hat on the baby.

Then, DH took the baby into the kitchen to keep him nice and warm.

Another 2-man ambulance arrived in another 10 mins again.

They finally managed to get hold of a community midwife who got to the house about an hour after Elliot had arrived.

She administered syntometrine at which point the placenta was delivered. I was then able to feed him properly.

Once the MW had established that no stitches were needed and DH had taken pics of the ambulance and paramedics for posterity(!), the paramedics left. I then had some tea, crumpets and a hot bath to clean up, and the MW left too, giving us signs to watch out for in case of Group B strep infection that we'd not been able to treat during labour.

So technically, this was all well within our birthplan ( I do not want an epidural, or pethidine or an episiotomy.) BUT I certainly wouldn't recommend it and imagine if there's a next time (!) that we'll be opting for a home birth!

Huge thanks to MarsLady for briefing DH who kept his cool phenomenally.

Apologies to those MNers who'd been looking for a live labour thread. It would have been a bit rubbish:-
By OliviaMumsnet Wed 10 Nov 0910
Am I in labour? My waters have just gone.
By MumsnetterNumber1 Wed 10 Nov 0911
Oooh how exciting <gets knitting out>
By MumsnetterNumber2 Wed 10 Nov 0912
Keep us posted, won't you?
By OliviaMumsnet Wed 10 Nov 0915
Yes I must be, here's the baby!

I will pop some pictures on my profile but as last time, MNHQ can take no responsibility for any ensuing broodiness