Hi All,
Just to let you know that Grace Lola joined us at 3.08pm on Tuesday 31st! She weighed 9lb6oz and is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Quick birth story - went in to be induced at 8am on Monday. Had a pessary, which began taking effect at 3pm ish. Though - wey hey, this is it!! Had another internal - cervix still very high. After much deliberating, it was decided to leave it and re-start me first thing Tuesday morning.
So - 6.50am another pessary inserted (cervix still very high) Started taking effect 9amish. Contractions got stronger and quicker, so that by midday I told the midwife they were coming fast and I put my TENS machine on. I was monitored and then at 1pm was given another internal and was told I was 5-6cm (thay had said they would transfer me to delivery suite when 3cm). So off we went. The mw who took me said she thought baby would be here within 2-3hrs (this is my 2nd so it would be quicker)
The mw who was to deliver made it v clear she would do everything to make it a positive experience for me as my last labour and delivery had been so awful. She also had 2 big babies and said I would be fine....
Another mw and a student took over at 2.30, and they moved me onto my all fours. My waters still hadn't broken, so back was hurting. Anyway, they soon broke and the pushing began. Soon after, she was born on to the bed and I was told to sit back and pick her up myself. Dh cut the cord whilst I held her. It was all so relaxed and just such a lovely experience (though I still think childbirth is an 'unnatural' thing to out your body through) Had a tear in the same place as last time. Managed to do the whole thing using just my TENS (on first setting, cos dh couldn't work out how to change settings!) and gas / air, which is fab!
We stayed in the delivery room for a few hours after, spending time with our beautiful new daughter and showering and eating!! Felt ready to be dischraged soon after, but stayed in overnight.
Since then, all memories of painful breasts, sleepless nights and a whirlwind of emotions have all come flooding back. But, am feeling loads better today, due to the fact she slept so well last night and reamins asleep now!
Just want to wish everyone else a happy, positive birthing experience and a good luck to husky and lynne for tomoorow's induction. My advice for antone left is to stay as mobile as you can during early labour.
And make it clear at every stage of what you want to do and how (if poss)
Good luck all, and be in touch soon! xxx