ok everyone. I'm here to tell you all my news.
Samuel Joshua was born on 26 February at 13.31 weighing 3.640kg (just over 8lbs) after 10.5 hours in labour.
Started feeling irregular contractions on 25 Feb in the afternoon. By 02.00 contractions were very painful and every four minutes so we went to the hospital.
When I got there started on gas and air, but midwife could see I wasn't going to cope very well with the pain so said I should have an epidural. Got ep straight away and it was a godsend. Was able to relax and sleep and conserve my energy. They gave me cintocynon with the ep to induce labour and by 11am I was 9cm dilated.
Started to push and the first couple of hours were ok but the last half hour was very hard work. Head kept going back up and the last few pushes I was ready to give up, but the MW and student MW were excellent and together with Dave kept encouraging me. So after a few more pushes out he came and it was lovely.
They put him straight on my stomach and gave me cinto to get the placenta out.
I had 2nd degree tearing (small tear inside and big graze outside) and had to have a few stiches.
We were discharged on Wednesday afternoon and Sam is doing very well. He's been feeding a lot and nipples are a bit sore, but been applying lancinoh and it's helping. So far he doesn't like his crib and been keeping us up a lot. But we will find our feet and get to know each other in the coming weeks.
I loaded some pics on multiply for you to see. Sam has blue eyes, lots of hair and looks like his dad.
On a few pointers for other first timers. Been using Earth Mamma bottom spray which is soothing and cooling. Also using Earth mamma postpartum bath herbs, just put some of the tea from the herbs on the maternity pads and it helps so much with the stinging and soreness. Also stock up on paracetamol.
Anyway, better go and get some rest.
Congrats to Glam and Hayls on your boys as well. Looking forward to seeing you all soon with our little bundles.