On Thursday afternoon, after a very strong sweep (from a midwife who I later learned is reknown for her kickstarts), the real thing finally started after weeks of doing the is it/isn't it dance. The weather was beautiful all that day, and when we checked into the hospital we spent the first bit of time in their garden, in the late sun of the evening, me walking and contracting. As the contractions started getting stronger, I had moved inside the ward and in the middle of a particularly strong one was asked if I wanted a cup of tea. My reply at least got some laughs out of the other labouring mothers.
From there things went even more quickly and I got into the big bath which felt wonderful. The birthing pool was being prepared and as soon as it was ready we moved into it -- around an hour later my son was born in the water.
No drugs, no induction, no tearing. Towards the end did not even use the gas and air. Now, 7 days later, apart from the exhaustion, am still a bit sore/bruised but truth be told amazed at how quickly the recovery has gone. It almost makes me want to get pregnant again and again as it seems to get easier with each child! Almost
Roseberry's baby son, born 30 June, 2005.