Birth story alert!!
For those not on fb, Olivia Grace was born today at 8.40pm weighing 8lb3oz 
Noisy post natal ward so can't sleep so may as well do birth story. Excuse typos as on iphone and been mostly awake for nearly 24 hours.
So had 2nd sweep on Wednesday early afternoon, woke up at 2.30am Thursday with a contraction. Fell asleep until 4.30 when I felt a huge contraction and then they intensified (used tens machine with fabulous results from around 8am) and they came every 8-12 mins until around midday. At which point, they stopped!!
So we went for a walk and I had a mega one whilst out, then nothing again for 40 mins.
When we got home I had a few more, 13 mins apart but incredibly intense (couldn't walk or talk through them). At this point I decided enough was enough (plus hadn't really felt much movement since early morning) and I rang labour ward mid contraction so they could hear the intensity of the contractions. They got me straight in.
Monitored baby who was fine, a little excited but ok. Still contracting every 10 mins but very strong and I was becoming a bit distressed with them. Examined me at 3 and I was 5cm so moved up to delivery suite.
The next 5 hours went so so quickly. The contractions were coming every 4 mins as soon as we got I to the suite, I think because I totally relaxed and felt safe. Waters started to go around 5pm, and then the strong period type pains gave way to overwhelming pressure, mainly at the back. (Yes girls I pood, and I really did not care!!! It's true what they say).
Laboured so differently this time. Had to be on the ball for all bar delivery when I lay on my left hand side to push, with right leg up in the air.
I stayed in complete control. Despite thinking I would go in and request an early epidural (as advised by my consultant), I coped on gas and air and tens machine. I had one contraction where I was in transition and did the whole 'I can't do this' thing, but it was manageable and I genuinely enjoyed it for the majority of the labour. After my traumatic time with DS I never thought I could have that.
With my son the pushing was automatic, and the best bit of labour. With this labour, pushing was hard work and the most painful and scary part. But, it wasn't that scary and I was still kind of enjoying it in a funny way. I definitely went within myself this time and had the belief that I could do it. The midwives were incredible too.
I was pushing for around half an hour and the sense of relief when she was born was amazing. 2nd degree tear again (didn't feel that at all) and a fair bit of blood loss but not as bad as last time.
Anyway, a really positive birth story from me. And to have had that with all the fear and dread I had, I feel so lucky. I want to wish all of you ladies still waiting the same positive experience and to tell you not to be scared. It's simply amazing having a baby and worth every second of pain/discomfort.