Well, baby Tom arrived on his due date of the 22nd!
I felt a bit iffy when I woke at 7.30 and went to the loo three times before setting off with the kids. Hubbie was convinced I was ‘starting’; I insisted it was a dodgy tummy! When I dropped DD to school another mum was very concerned cos I was in obvious pain. Anyway I then dropped DS to Montessori and went home. I spent the next hour alternating between the toilet and the shower (TIP the shower is excellent for early labour) while DH came home – yes, I had relented and admitted that it probably was real labour at this stage! He got a real kick out of having to leave the office at 9.30am!
At about 10.20am I noticed a bit of blood so I called the hospital and my FIL came to drive us in. TENS machine was put on and I have to say that journey to the hospital (about 25 mins, hitting every red light on the way) was a very LONG journey. Got to admissions at about 11.15 and up to delivery by about 11.40am. The Community Midwife on duty was in with another delivery so a student looked after me. I got onto the bed and was checked over. By the time the CM came in and checked me, about 11.55, I was 7cm. Great news as otherwise I was going to opt for the epidural.
A quick pop later and my waters broke spontaneously. Unfortunately there was heavy meconium so it was explained to me that a Paediatrician would be called and that baby would be taked and suctioned etc. Minutes later I got an urge to push so was told to go ahead. Tom’s head was out after one big push and then I was asked to pant while they started to clear his lungs. That was one impossible feat – an urge is an urge! I fought as long as I could then had to push his body out. He was born at 12.04pm and weighed in at 7lbs 4oz, so it was a good thing I noticed the blood earlier – otherwise I could have been back in my shower for another hour and who knows…
All is well, Tom spent a bit of time in the incubator as he was in a bit of shock, we then went up to the ward for a bit and at 7.30pm we headed home.
Sorry this took so long to relate, but I am still on the post-birth high! Tom is feeding well (he fed ALL night last night) and we are all settling into being a family of 5.