Nell Eliza was born at 1.14am on Thursday 22nd September, weighing in at a whopping 9lb 7oz. Here's the story!!
Waters literally 'popped' at approx 7pm Weds night, whilst reading Harry Potter to ds1 and ds2 (might be worth a try to all those trialling induction methods...!) Boys totally overexcited, ds2 announced his verdict that it 'no way smells like wee' (sorry if TMI!!)
As Strep B positive, went into Kingston Hospital as soon as dh got home and friend could come and look after kids. No contractions yet. Was told I could use midwife led unit after all even though strep B, but not birthing pool.
By 9pm mildly painful contractions so midwife decided to start me on intravenous antibiotics. Contractions then bumped up a notch. Held off the gas and air for a couple of hours as doing well on birthing ball and breathing techniques from hypnobirthing CD. It was then great psychologically to be able to use gas and air when the pain got really bad. They gave me the 2nd dose of antibiotics at 1am, when I felt I couldn't cope with the pain much longer and would have to give in to an epidural. They were about to examine me to see how far progressed I was, when the midwife announced she could see the head! Nell was born 15 mins later - very battered and bruised after such a quick 2nd stage. No stitches or tears. I will never be an 'earth mother' who claims to love the whole birth experience, and found the whole thing very very painful, but have to say the staff at Kingston are fantastic - we had 2 midwives with us almost constantly and that was on a busy night.
Has definitely been best birth experience so far and feel almost 'normal' again - loving not being pregnant!! (except dreadful afterpains which I haven't had before) Nell has recovered quickly and is totally doted on by her Dad and 2 big brothers.