It has almost been 2 weeks since Adam entered the world but I've not had opportunity to post - he's a bit time consuming.
Anyway here's how he entered the world. (times are approximate )
8 am
I went into hospital for induction. Doctor explained the whole procedure and explained how if prostin hadn't taken effect in 6 hours, I would have a second dose and a third dose might be required 6 hours after that if still nothing happening. I was a bit disappointed as I had gone into hospital expecting that I would have a baby by the end of the day.
9:30 am
Got first dose of prostin and sat back reading my book.
1:30 pm
DH joined me having left DD at nursery and made arrangements for her to be picked up later if he couldn't get away. Went for a wander around hospital and got hospital bag from car (more on that later).
2:30pm
returned to bed as I had to have antibiotics.
Midwife but trace on baby's heartbeat. I found this really uncomfortable - I wanted to be up walking. Soon discovered the discomfort was contractions. Midwife pointed to peaks on graph and asked me if I felt contractions. I was too engrossed in book to really notice Started feeling them when I finished book.
3:30 pm
Apparently I have started going into labour but no talk of moving me from antenatal to labour ward yet. I'm not fully sure if I am having regular contractions yet but I feel the need to go to toilet regularly. I'm also determined to do a pooh before I get to stage where I am trying to push baby out.
4:30
Gas and air have been provided - my drug of choice last time around. I discuss epidural with DH. I think to myself I've done this before without much drug intervention but I don't really feel the need to do that again.
I think puking happened around this hour!
5:30
I go to toilet for about the 10th time. I have some bleeding which I tell midwife about as I go back to bed. She asks me if I have a pad on and suggests she comes and looks at it. She also said it is probably the plug
6:00 - 6:30
The midwife hasn't come to look at my pad. the pain is getting more intense. I send DH off to find her - she's gone on her bloody break without saying anything to me.
Another midwife comes along and tells me I'm booked into labour ward for 8pm. I ask her about an epidural.
I ask if she can check my progress. She has a look and tells me that my waters have broken and I am almost fully dilated. She talks to the labour ward and asks them to prepare for me. Can't remember what the answer on the epidural was but it appears I should have mentioned it earlier.
DH gathers my things. I take a few more drags of the gas and air and prepare to walk down the far end of the hospital.
7:00 - 7:30
Midwives from the labour ward are on their way with a wheelchair but the walk is actually making it easier to get through the pain.
7:30 I am in the labour ward wondering what happens next. The midwives suggest I lean against the bed and move my hips. So with gas and air close at hand I start wiggling.
The midwives and Dh are brilliant. I have a few more intense contractions. The head is coming. ( I still haven't done that pooh - not sure if I should push too hard )
Not long to go.
I look down on the floor between my legs - it's a pooh...
And then I am being handed, through my legs, my gorgeous baby boy . DH cuts the cord. Adam has arrived - all 9 pounds, 2 ounces of him.
It's 7:53 (7 minutes before I am due to go to the labour ward )
Hospital bag
newborn sleepsuits may not fit - pack some 0-3 month ones as well.
10 pack of maternity pads is not a lot - I was only in for one night.