And another...
Rosalyn Lorelai arrived today after (in the grand scheme of things) a short and relatively straight forward labour.
Short story 1st baby, water birth in midwife led unit, 8lb 6oz (ouch, I'm pretty small) 5.5 hours established labour, gas & air - I realise I'm very lucky but it still hurt like hell and at this moment I never want to go through it again! But I'm sure I'll forget.
Long story: Woke at 5.45 with mild contractions ( been having BHs for weeks wondering how I'd know the difference, as everyone says, you'll just know) DH supposed to leave early for work, but by 6.45 contractions were already a minute long 4 mins apart and v regular so he called in to explain (SO releived he hadn't already left) I tried sitting in bath but panicked when I lay back and knees hurt on all fours so got out. DH called hosp and we were told to come in.
I was 3cm dilated but having fairly frequent contractions, we were given the option to go home but as we live some distance away and things seemed to be progressing faster than expected we stayed, by this time it must have been about 9am. By 11.45 the contractions were pretty unbearable and DH bless him asked if they had gas and air for me. I really felt it in my lower back. By 12.30 I was 7cm and m.w. Advised me to try the birthing pool. Contractions v painful by now and I was struggling, but v soon my waters broke, with a little meconium, I went into the transision phase and began to panic, it hurt like hell. Luckily that didn't last long and I soon got the urge to push. Each contraction, I tried to tell myself she was coming this time and according to my notes it took an hour and a half which I know isn't long but it was tough. I kept thinking, that must be it she must be there why don't you catch her, give her a tug, anything and the MW's were just sat there smiling at me telling me how much hair she had and telling me to have a feel! When she did come, I felt like I'd burst, there was so much of her, I was concentrating so hard on the head I'd forgotten there was a body & limbs to come too. She seemed huge, and alert and amazing and I was just so releived it was over! The water was suddenly red and black and filthy, I had a second degree tear to each side but nothing too bad, but it stung. She came out and produced more meconium, (3 more nappies of it since too, where it all coming from?)skin to skin in the pool but the water was so dirty and I was sore and keen to get placenta out and finished with.
Had the assisted 3rd stage, which was fine, really wanted it over an done with. 6 stitches which seemed to take forever and then I finally got a proper cuddle. So overall 9 hours from the first twinge to birth, 5.5 hours of proper established labour.
Im so happy to a mum and she is perfect and I'm also so happy I don't have another contraction coming any time soon.
Now in spires JR hospital Oxford, amazing place, staring at her and wondering how I'll ever sleep again. She is so good so far, a few tears at the vit K and a few at the equally distressing 1st attempt at a nappy change by me & DH, but otherwise good as gold. Even so daren't take my eyes off her long enough to sleep 
