Thought I'd post an announcement as I've had so much encouragement and support from so many Mnetters as I worked through my fears this time around. As some people know, I posted at length about "last time" (birth and feeding nightmares) in a previous incarnation.
Baby Robin (a girl - this has caused much confusion in my family!) was born on Saturday weighing 6 lb 14 oz.
After a really traumatic long OP labour last time with more than 3 hours of pushing, I'm happy to report that this was just amazing. Went to hospital Friday night with contractions 5 mins apart. Wasn't that painful though so I was suspicious it might be a false alarm, which indeed it was. Everything slowed up when we got there and I was only 1cm dilated. Was advised to stay in because of the distance but chose to go home, fully expecting it to go on like that for hours or days. I was terrified actually of what was to come and couldn't stop shaking.
Anyhow pains started to get stronger at home and could no longer lie in bed by 6am so had a bath and phoned lasbour ward. I still wasn't sure I was in proper labour as it was so much more bearable than last time. So we finally got to hospital again at 8am by which time contractions were piling on top of one another. Got gas & air, which actually seemed to work this time - at least for about three contractions - and then suddenly it's like someone flicked a switch and I was screaming (thinking I was wasn't going to cope and would need epidural for the hours ahead...). The midwife had popped out to do paperwork before examining me so she raced back in and discovered I was ready to push! 20 minutes later she was born - no stitches this time or anything! In short it was amazing but I went into shock for about an hour afterwards.
Robin is gorgeous and breastfeeding is going really well. I'm a little sore from allowing too much comfort sucking the first night, but again it couldn't be more different from the nightmare of feeding DS. I'm very happy, and living proof that no two experiences are ever the same!