Rosie Ines arrived just after midnight on Tuesday, Jan 26th - four weeks early, oops!
It was all a bit sudden in the end - 8pm I felt uncomfortable twinges which I put down to a spot of indigestion. By 9.30pm these had become strong and fast. By 10pm I was alternating between feelings of fever and chills, couldn't talk during contractions and during an urgent bathroom visit, realised I was discharging some blood. Still thought it was a false alarm, but suggested to DH we should get checked out, so he drove us to the hospital.
I was 2cm dilated at their initial examination, then 15 mins later 3cm. She was still in breech position, so the medical team decided to take no chances and wheeled me off for an emergency C section. This was a traumatic time for DH (they're not so keen on letting partners into the theatre here in Spain) but I actually felt very calm throughout. Didn't see DD for more than a few seconds before she and I were whisked off separately for overnight observation.
All of this was diametrically opposed to the type of birth experience I'd had in mind, but never mind. At the time I was just pleased she and I were both okay.
Didn't sleep a wink in ICU (too many bloody bleepy machines and auto blood pressure checks!!) and was most impatient to meet my DD by the time they finally started unhitching me from the various drips and stuff ready to be transferred to Maternity.
The moment when they finally wheeled my tiny LO to my bedside was priceless. She was 2.3kg at birth (less than 5lb) but otherwise in good shape. I think I fell in love!!
We're back at home now and doing well, although the 2.5 hour feeding regime (breast having to be supplemented with bottles owing to her immature suction/rooting reflexes) is pretty punishing - but hey, she's more than worth it. She's utterly gorgeous and DH and I are totally infatuated with our beautiful dinky daughter.
If anyone's interested, here's our blog on the subject (written by DH so far) plus some pix.
Love to all and congratulations to all the other little newcomers and their parents.