I know I have been away for ages, but I have been ill and then had a baby!!
I've not been around for over a month - I was taken into hospital with kidney problems, let home a week later, readmitted the same day with early labour (35 weeks) which was stopped, had more kidney problems, was transferred away to Inverness, as they were really worried about how the baby was responding to the painkillers. They observed me for a few days then decided to induce at 37 weeks. I had one failed induction attempt but the second go, on Friday 28th November, resulted in the birth of Rachel Jessie, who weighed in at 7lb15 and is gorgeous, with black hair and bright blue eyes, and is doing brilliantly. The docs had said she could have needed up to a month in special care due to potential addiction problems, but in the end we were discharged after only 4 days and neither of us have any problems at all.
Even though I had to go away from home, dh and the other children were able to come over, dh's brother was there to look after dd and ds (he changed his first nappy that day!) and so dh was there through the labour and delivery. The birth was fine in the end - I managed with breathing until an hour before she was born, then had gas, and she arrived at speed - the waters only broke a minute before the birth and it was so explosive that one of the midwives had to go for a shower afterwards! I had a tear and some stitches but everything has healed up well. She's feeding well too which has made a difference, and is even sleeping for up to 4 hours (once!!).
We're delighted with her. She;s named after dh's Grandma, who died a fortnight before she was born, and my Gran (who is over the moon).
And I just wanted to say a big thanks for all the support you lot have given me through a ghastly pregnancy and all my worries. Now that she is out things will improve - they already are, I've had no pain since she was born, and dh says I look better than in months.
Dunno how much I'll be around for the minute - 3 children under 4 should keep me busy enough!!!