...... After totally expecting a third girl I am surprised and thrilled to announce we had a boy to complete our family. DH was secretly hoping for one I think.
So at 40+7 days. After 2 hours mild contractions on 31st October Friday morning amounting to nothing. I spent 2 hours on Friday afternoon scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. I got dolled up and went down to the Sports Club to help host a drinks party for DHs sport tournament he had organised this weekend. Started getting really mild contractions about half an hour after I got there so about 8.30pm, but able to chat to everyone and thought it might come to nothing so not sure it was labour. Watched the end of the match and drank 3 glasses of champagne. At about 9.00 moved on to the pub on my way home as some friends were waiting for me there. Had a soda with them and mentioned the contractions - still not hurting much so we started timing them. They were about every 5 or 6 minutes. DH arrived having finished his match and showered.
I thought I would go home and have a bath (we lived 2 mins walk away) and see if the contractions started hurting or stopped. Suggested DH have a quick drink and then head to the restaurant and I would phone him if things kicking off.
Got home started up www.contractionmaster.com, how cool is that! Had a gorgeous hot, hot bath which did slow the contractions down to about 1 every 8 mins. Got out of the bath at 10ish and rang the hospital. They said come in straight away as I had a section scar from previous birth.
By the time DH got home with his Pizza to go contractions were every 3 mins. So we drove the 20 mins to the hospital in high spirits. Contractions starting to hurt now though.
Got there at 22.30. Lovely midwife checked us in and said "Ok so you've had an emergency section, and an epidural with ventouse previously, so are you going to do it properly this time?" I said I'd give it a go. I was singing through the contractions much to DH and midwifes amusement " Oh tonights the night we;re gonna make it happen la la la" and it was REALLY helping me cope.
Anyway she said she thought it would be a while as I was "far too giggly to be about to have a baby" (3 glasses of bubbly?) so she did an internal exam and found I was a very pleasing 6 cm with bulging waters"
Got into the labour room, contractions about every 2 mins now, got stuck into the gas and air which have always found useless before: Got the hang of it : TOP TIP try to guess when contraction might be starting and start on gas and air before then it takes effect before the pain peaks!
Was climbing all over the bed being somewhat dramatic. Offered Pethidine, nearly bit her arm off saying yes. Got the shot at about midnight. Felt the urge to push at 00.25, totally did just feel like I needed a poo! It hurt like billyo but got him out in about 3 or 4 pushes at 00.30/ 8lb 10oz Phew.. Did not infact poo apparently.
Kinda cool to have done it without an epidural, but erm did hurt so am still pretty pro pain relief. The Pethidine left me on a high for the rest of night and next day, and baby slept for 24 hours straight only waking for very successful breastfeeds.
4 hours from start to finish. A good experience, the memory of the erm ;ring of fire' has already faded , had 2nd degree tear a few stitches so feeling pretty tender now.
Its very cathartic to write out this birth announcement. A bit of hope to people who have had highly medicalised births and hope to have simpler ones.... it can be done and it is pretty satisfying. The joy of the baby is the same however you do it though so no big deal!!!