Christian (brother to Lily aged 21 months) was born at 17.16 yesterday. He weighs a respectable 8lbs and 7 oz.
I had what you might call a 'healing' birth experience (at risk of sounding like an earth mother or advert for the NCT).
Mild period pains began at around 9.30 am yesterday. Nothing major and didn't deter me from going to West Quay to do some shopping. Returned home by lunch time, and by 14.30 the 'period pains' (I didn't think they were strong enough to merit the term 'contractions'had become more regular at 5 mins apart lasting for 30 secs, so on insistence of my parents I rang labour ward to ask their advice. They said to come in and be examined, so we poddled off to hospital (with me fully expecting to be examined and then be told to go home as it could be another 48 hours yet). Arrived at hosp at 15.30, was examined at 16.15 - by which time I was apparently 7 cms dilated, and as aforementioned, Christian arrived at 17.16.
I can honestly say the discomfort only turned to active pain by around 16.00, so an hour and a quarter of labour agony aint at all bad. Had 2nd degree tear, but its not bothering me, and we went home last night.
This was so different from my daughters birth which was posterior, of 36 hours duration, prolonged agony, and ultimate delivery in theatre with full scrub team on standby (expecting to do a section) - but eventually managed to give birth after ventouse, forceps and episiotomy. Also my dd had become respiratorily distressed and had a short term spell in SCBU.
So the two births couldn't have been more different - and I am so made up that this one went do darned well. Am sure its made me a happier and more relaxed mum this time around (although it is early days - will probably be tearing my hair out soon!)