Hi, just to let you know about the arrival of Luke Thomas Jacob at 8.07am yesterday.
Birth story below and piccies updated on profile.
DH eventually arrived home on Saturday night at 10.20pm. Too knackered to try and get things moving along.
Sunday am he woke up with a stinking cold (he is so run down with all the travelling/extra hours/worry he has been dealing with). Wanted him to go back to bed and rest ready for this next week in London, but instead he got out in the garden and did a bit of weeding and then helped me clean my car and install baby car seat.
Decided to make a concerted effort to get things moving so DH massaged my back with lavender and clary sage and I did the same with my bump and boobs.
When it was time to go to bed, I knew I could face a night with DH as he was so bunged up and sniffing etc, I thought he'd keep me awake and I'd probably disturb him with my frequent trips to the loo/cramps and graons when turning over so I decided to sleep downstairs on the sofa.
Woke at 1am for the first trip to the loo.
Settled back down and was just dozing when I thought 'that doesn't feel right' so rolled off sofa onto hands and knees on floor and my waters went. Got to the loo and another gush came out. Came back into longe, logged onto MN whilst bouncing on birthing ball, stood up to get a drink and more came out (luckily had a bath sheet wrapped around me).
Went and woke DH and said 'I don't think you are going to London today' and told him to go back to sleep, but he insisted he got up to be with me, even though I wasn't having any pains so to speak.
Phoned hospital who insisted I went in straight away so they could monitor/swab/check for meconium and infection before sending me back home to await labour. I wanted to wait until a more civilised hour but they wouldn't hear of it. Called my Mum who luckily lives around the corner and she came and sat DS1
Had a couple of twinges on the way. They checked my waters had broken and confirmed that although blood stained, there was no infection/meconium.
Had a few more intermittant pains and they offered that I could go home, or go to the waiting room of the birthing unit to see what developed. They had booked me in for an induction at 8am Tuesday if nothing had significantly started but the MW was in no doubt I'd go soon so didn't really want me going home.
After 20 minutes she called me back to the delivery suite and checked me out as I'd had a few more stronger contractions and I measure 3cm. Got on the birthing ball and swayed from side to side when having a contraction and eventually they increased with intensity and frequency. Eventually at 6.30 I requested G&A.
The shift changed at 7.30 and the MW who had been looking after me was on her final shift at our hospital before moving to another part of the country. She examined me just before handing over and I was 8cm and she could feel the baby coming down. Handover complete 7.45 but she stayed and she wanted one final baby and knew it was close. By this point I had the urge to push. Insisted DH made sure I was listening to MWs this time (didn't with DS1 and had 3rd degree tear). Luke came out in 3 pushes, and unfortunatly did tear, but not as babdly as last time even though he didn't come out all at once like DS1 did.
He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice (just like DS1) but fortunately the cord was very long (just like DS1).
Placed straight onto tummy and DH cut the cord this time. Confirmed he was a boy and boy was I relieved (sorry no pun intended).
Had a cuddle and was then stitched, had some coffee and toast, a shower and was then allowed to leave just 3 hours after he was born.
We are all extremely happy especially as DH hasn't had to go back to London this week. DH is so proud. He went to the pub tonight to wet Luke's head with his brothers, mates and half the cricket club. I think it has done him the world of good.
I stayed home and my BF (godmother to Luke) came around and kept me company and played taxi driver for her DH, my DH and my Dad.
God I am wittering now aren't I?
Luke is chuntering away to himself and I can't get to sleep. Think the adrenaline is still flowing or something.
Might try a cup of Ovaltine..................