OK finally got on the computer. Have sleeping baby on me 
Still need to catch up but thought I'd add my birth story bfore I forget it myself 
So - as you all know, I kept getting strong contrations 10 mins apart which would then disappear and return a day later.
Eventualy, on Sunday night, they returned at 5 mins apart and then started to get closer together. At around 9ish, I called my friend to come over to watch the kids as I was heading to hospital. Was totally convinced that it would all stop again. DH decided on the way that he needed to go to tesco to get a videotape - ok for him - he wasnt the one having contractions every 3 or 4 mins. Anyway, as luck would have it, a car had blown up outside tesco so the police had blocked it off and all the shutters were down so off to the hospital it was. Arrived in Triage at around 10ish and was left for an hour 
. Just had to make do with my oils and birthing ball until someone came to assess me at 11pm. I was totally expecting to get sent home until she examined me and said that yes I was in labour and was 5cm. Couldn't believe it - so we wandered along to the labour ward and I had 3 contractions on the way. Things were really moving quickly. Finally got a hold of some gas and air at around 11.30 but actually found it quite annoying as i couldn't breathe out hard enough with the gas thing in my mouth so the midwife did some fancy reiki moves for a bit until I felt it was time to stop standing up and climb onto the fancy chair/bed thing. Once on there, things moved very fast and I started using the gas and air while the contractions started coming thick and fast. Then I really REALLY needed to do a number 2 and there was an amusing sequence of disagreement between midwife and me - I knew I needed a number 2 whereas she told me it was the baby's head. She was right because then the really expulsive contractions started, i popped my waters all over her tunic, she put on an apron and then it was baby time. At crowning, she asked me to stop pushing for ages and just concentrate on gas and air while he did some strange things to help birth the baby's head. I honestly have no idea what she was doing but when she asked me to start pushing again, there were only a couple of pushes until the baby was out. It took a couple of minutes for the baby to cry but she was fine. I had the jag for the placenta because I hadn't really made a decision on it anyway and didn't really care any more. While I had a lovely cuddle, I was v pleased to be told that although I had a tear, I didn't need stitches. They did find a cyst though so will need to keep an eye on that. Had a lovely 1 hour feed and some tea and toast before getting showered and cleaned up and heading back to ward.
It was definitely the easiest birth I've had - v v straightforward, and fast when it finally got going. I felt very calm for it and aware and not at all out of control. I had definitely forgotten how hard the pushing bit was - it is really really really hard work, but so very worth it.
Still no name - i am rubbish at decision-making, but had her out in a sling today and she loved it
I so need to catch up on this thread - off to read up on what's been going on. hope you're all doing well ladies!