I am SO SO LUCKY!
After DREADING childbirth the whole way through my pregnancy, I got away with just about the easiest time ever!
Went into hospital at 10am for the induction, got monitored and had the gel put in at 12. Went to get my lunch and while eating it, the contractions started. 3 minutes apart straight away!
Not too bad, painwise, but then I thought, early days yet. Tried the birth ball and walking about, but neither helped me, just lying on my side was much better.
20 mins later I called the midwife because it really was hurting (but still not as bad as I thought) He looked a bit sceptical but offered me pethidine. I said no, largely because I was worried pethidine would bring on a panic attack.
Left it 10 mins and changed my mind as they were really on top of each other. And what do you know? Pehidine was awesome, really gave me some control back and let me relax.
It was a super-hot day and the drug made me sweat buckets, so at this point I sent DP out to buy me a desk fan.
By the time he came back about 20mins later, things had really hotted up. Pains were very strong and the pethidine wasn't working so well.
I called the midwife back and asked if I could be taken to the delivery suite. Really hoping I was a couple of cms dialated. She brough some G&A which was deeply horrible, like the worst panic attack EVER! I had one slug and didn't touch it again.
She examined me and found I was 8cms! I was pretty much rushed to the delivery suite at this point. I was really cross because it was too late to have an epidural, and I was a bit mean to everyone who kept telling me I didn't need it and that I had done the worst part already.
By the time I got there, I was 10cms. The whole second stage is a bit of a blur, but I remember him coming out and them plopping him on top of me. He was absolutely huge!
Turns out he was 9lbs2oz, and the midwife also remarked on how big the placenta was. I had a tiny bump, so god knows where I had kept it all.
I had a 2nd degree tear, but all in all, nothing was too bad. WAY Better than I had dared hope for, and now I can't believe I did it with only pethidine.
My official labour time on my notes was 1hr 55min ... and I was GBS+ and didn't have time for the antibiotics, so they had to keep a close watch on him.
Luckily he was fine, breastfeeds fine and has kept a good weight. We've named him Edward, but Ted or Teddy for short.
I can't believe how lucky I've been! Or how wonderful it is being his mummy.