Well ladies, not been home too long and DH is just changing nappies so I have an opportunity to fill you all in:
Thanks to all those who helped me out on the antenatal thread and also my am I, aren't I? thread. It all began with irregular contractions on Friday which became regular on Saturday, coming every 5mins for about 6 hours then they just stopped!!!! Then started again early hours of Sunday morning, contractions became regular every 5mins again and at 10am I went into hospital but contractions had started to slow again and become irregular. The misdwife was even reluctant to examine me because she said I didn't seem in too much pain and I was probably not in established labour - WHAT!!!!! Was she kidding???? Anyway, she did eventually examine me, I think she saw the look on my face and thought better of it! I was 5cms dilated with waters bursting at the seams. Thank God!!
I started off on gas and air which I found highly amusing, then progressed onto pethidine which was the best feeling in the world (when not contracting!) but by the time I had got to 8/9cms dilated I began not coping very well and was hallucinating taking out of body experiences which I think was partly my way of not dealing with the pain. DH requested I have an epidural because he was also becoming a bit distressed seeing me that way. The midwife agreed. After 30mins of pushing Oscar popped his head out but got the cord stuck round his neck and then there was mad panick and people rushing in from all directions. Apparantly the shoulders also got stuck and because Oscar was rapidly becoming distressed he had to be forcibly pulled out quickly This resulted into a nasty tear and umpteen internal/external stitches. However, he is worth every one of those stitches and I am already beginning to forget how traumatic the whole ordeal was (until the next time I need to pee )
Sorry - that was soooooooooooo long!!!!!