I've just got home from hospital this afternoon and I'm still at the complete and utter 'gushing with love' stage, so forgive me if this comes out all garbled.
Baby was due on the 28th Nov. I had hoped for a VBAC this time (after a long, distressing failed induction ending in c-section last time) and had done loads of research / battling with various consultants to get it all agreed beforehand.
Major spanner in the works when I developed obstetric cholestasis a fortnight ago and was told it would be safest for me to have a c-section. Was booked in for a section on the 21st. Then the test results for my liver function came back quite dramatically worse within a few days and the section was brought forward to the 17th.
Went into hospital for a couple of tests on Thursday afternoon and was told they wanted to keep me in overnight and deliver my baby on Friday! Big panic as DH rushed to pack my bag, borrow a car (ours broke down a few days ago...how very timely!) and arrange for my mum to look after our 3 yr old DS.
Spent a surreal night not really believing that I was really going to meet my baby so soon.
At 1.03pm on Friday 14th November, in what must have been the nicest operation ever (how could a c-section be so lovely? My mind is still boggling!), our beautiful second child was born. Nothing like my previous section. The whole experience was just a joyous and wonderful thing. I was completely unprepared for how amazing it would be at the moment I saw my new baby. They lowered the screen at the moment our baby was born and there, flooded in light and peachy perfect, I saw that I had a ...DAUGHTER!
Bella is a beauty. At 7lbs, she is 3 lbs lighter than my son was and tiny in comparison. I have that 'rush of love' people talk about, and I just keep staring at her and feeling completely choked with emotion. She is just perfect.
I have to thank all the staff at UCH who were utterly amazing and made my birth experience from start to finish wonderful.
After a wobbly day yesterday (very low blood pressure, fainting fits, needing morphine for the pain) I am feeling great today and have been allowed home. I'm typing this with one eye on Bella sleeping peacefully in her Moses basket. Life doesn't get any better.