Thanks for all the messages everyone
Sorry it's taken me a while to come back with my birth story. Here goes ...
As some of you know, my biggest fear was being induced like last time, esp when things started to go a bit deja vu (waters leaking 2 days before EDD - which was 5 Sept). UCH midwives and doctors were very understanding about this and didn't pressure us into anything - in the meantime I started having acupuncture. Quite significant contractions started during the 3rd session (Wed 7th) and built up till on Thu night I was having painful contractions every 8 mins. We called the mws, they came straight out, parents came and whisked DD away, we filled the pool, got some rest and ..... nothing happened - the contractions faded away and the midwives went home. Nightmare.
In desperation I decided to give the acupuncture one last go so had a session early Sat AM (10th), and contractions started up again during the session. Went to DAU for routine monitoring straight after - could see contractions on trace, but they weren't painful so I didn't get too excited.
Back at home that afternoon, the contractions were starting to get painful, but nothing worse than on Thu night. DD (19m) was getting restless so DH decided to take her swimming. I got him to empty the pool first so that it was ready for re-filling, and wasn't sure about him going but also didn't want a repeat performance of Thu night so said 'OK, go, but be quick.'
Started tidying up, and while in DD's room felt a very dramatic POP (aha - so my waters hadn't broken prematurely a week ago after all ) and contractions immediately becoming much more serious. Rang DH, who fortunately had just got to the door of the swimming pool, and he rushed straight back, calling mws and parents along the way. By the time he reached the end of the street he could hear me bellowing, and by the time he got up to our flat I was on my knees in the bedroom, in pretty advanced labour.
Ah - to be continued - DD2 calls ....