May 2010: Final call for May babies - please exit the waiting lounge & head for the arrivals desk!

[cupcakefairy]

New thread to welcome some more new babies! Let's have a flurry this weekend please!

hello everyone

Massive congratulations to Tomlin, slipperthief, pamelat, morph2, squirtsmum, minniemummy, katnkankles, sweetpeasmum, sassles, kaffacakes, carikube, peaky, Gils, Rachel and Mollybob - some absolutely beautiful names and well done Rachel (it made my eyes water!)All the FB photos are gorgeous!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for your help and advice over Thomas' weight loss. Unfortunately I have had to make the decision to give up breast feeding. I feel absolutely devastated and am a complete emotional wreck at the moment. Have literally spent the last 48 hours feeding non stop and today he had put on an ounce, which he then lost when he did a poo! My DH goes back to work tomorrow, so cannot spend all day feeding and today the midwife told me to put Thomas on formula.
I went out on Friday night and bought a breast pump and attempted to do that whilst I wasn't feeding, After 4 hours I got an ounce. My breasts don't even seem to fill up anymore So sadly my last attempt at breast feeding has failed (just like the last 3 times) So feeling pretty gutted, but at least I think I'm doing the best thing for Thomas.

On the same note - does anyone want to buy a breast pump? On Friday night I bought the Medela swing electric breast pump (89.99 - from Boots), then a set of 3 medela storage bottles and medela milk storage bags (unopened) The 3 things together cost £105 but I would be prepared to accept any offers. I have used the breast pump 3 times, but have the box, receipt+ spare parts. Obviously it has all been washed and thoroughly sterilised. I know I shouldn't really put this on our thread, but hoped that someone might be interested. Let me know if you are either on here or FB (Cathy Devney) and I'll give you my contact details.

Sk - Sorry you are having a rough time. Hope Jacob is okay and settling a little bit more. My DH goes back to work tomorrow and I'm dreading it!

To everyone still waiting - I am thinking about you, hopefully the weather will be a bit cooler tomorrow.

Sorry for yet another me post - am not really quite myself at the moment

Sorry missed you off Den26, congratulations Beautiful name and well done. It sounds like you had a very hard time of it. I can completely relate to the baby blues. Hope you are feeling happier tomorrow

Angel - yes I am. Maybe tonight even.

After tea my twinges have ramped up a gear. Now every 7-10 mins. Rang the hospital, they said it definitely sounds like contractions. Just need to wait until they're every 4 mins for an hour. So a while to go yet. And my waters haven't gone yet either.

Congrats Den. Enjoy your visitors. Hope they don't stay too long and wear you out!

KateyJane - sorry to hear the bf hasn't worked. I might be interested in the pump, but I don't want to commit now (without a baby...) if there are others who want to get in first!

oooooh myfirstbump good luck.... doubt i will catch you there then....no signs here! Good luck x

Katey dont feel bad about not BF, i know you are gutted but it sounds like you have made the right decision. I am in two minds really and this is with number 5. I have failed the other times.

Congratulations Den....Im not surprised you feel a little anxious..it sounds a bit traumatic..but LO is fine...make sure you get lots of rest and TLC and concentrate on your new baby
..
Kateyjane..please do not beat yourself up about giving up breast feeding..yes breast feeding is the optimun milk..but if its not working..then that is not good for your baby or you.to be miserable and stressed..a happy mum = a happy baby..simples...Im sure your little one will be happier and when you are feeling less exhausted from round the clock feeding, you will feel so much happier too......he had the colustrum which is the best milk you could give him

James- Hope the Braxton hicks turn into something soon for you. Interesting link... I had pains the sunday before Lucy was born... every 10mins, going down to every 6 minutes but then suddenly stopped. My MW put that down to false labour.

Mollybob- Congratulations on the birth of Molly.

Thegauntlet- Never too late to join us

Hollyoaks- Hope the pains are the start of something for you!

Heffa- How was your first day alone with 2 ?
Lucy is another one drinking lots in this heat.

Homebirthmummy- Welcome

MDM- Enjoy the wedding. Im sure felix will be get just as much attention as the bride and groom!
at the melted pump!

Angel- Glad you got some sleep... Bank it quick

Tomlin- I too am almost back into my pre pregnancy clothes, Its just the top bottom on some that arent quite reaching! Weighed myself this morning and already back to pre pregnancy weight. Just need to work on toning it up abit now.

Cupcake- Thanks for keeping the list updated

ML- Thats great being a milk donor now.. Im sure many people will be very grateful.

Ali- loving the sprinkler idea
My sister had a classmate who had the same birthday as her brother but 3 yrs apart and My Dad and Aunty are a day apart but 4yrs difference.

Morph- We did that with DD1 too as she seemed lost in there and it did help. Also sleep with a muslin and put that in there so they get your smell, knowing your close.- or alternatively the top youve been wearing that day.

Carikube- Glad the BF is working out well for you. I had read about the nipple shields and have been meaning to buy some but been so busy this weekend we never got round to it. Job for tomorrow I feel!
My worry now is that Lucy has got too used to having my expressed milk. Oh well at least shes getting it one way or the other i suppose.

Den- Congratulations Another speedy one.
Hope you feel better soon.

KateyJane- I felt exactly the same with DD1 when the BF didnt work out. But looking back it was the best thing for her at the time. Hope you feel happier about it soon.

First bump- Ohh fingers crossed for you

Lovely sunny day here today. Spent today in the garden with DD in the paddling pool and Lucy and I chilling in the shade ( when she wasnt feeding that is!) Had a fab little water fight with DH and DD this afternoon too whilst Lucy napped. Was nice to spent quality time with just her again if you know what i mean- even though she has taken her new sister in her stride.

Recieved a Huge parcel today for Lucy from my Aunty and Uncle. About 10 outfits, packs of vests, socks, tiny shoes, hats, hand knitted cardigans, blankets and a cheque for £250!
Also got a knitted dress and cardigan from DH's Nans friend who is 90! Bless her!
Lucy is a very spoilt little girl

I'll save a bed for you Angel just in case! I have green glasses, in case you're there in the next couple of days.

Ok, so they're every 5 mins now. DH is more fidgety than I am! He can't keep still, and has just returned from getting supplies from up the road... Jelly Tots, crisps and water. And he's made jam sarnies!

Right, ringing hospital now. See you all on the other side! x

PS Pigley - Love your Aunty and Uncle!

good luck myfirstbump! x

firstbump..how exciting!! fingers crossed

Pigley..Im very envious of your pressies for Lucy..weve received next to nothing for DD.. drawback of 5th baby I guess..novelty has worn off..the only people in my family that bothered was my step granny.and my aunt.my own mum hasnt even bought her grandaughter anything

Good luck Myfirstbump - look forward to hearing your news!

Thank you Angel, Memory, Myfirstbump and Pigley - Don't know what I'd do without everyones support from MN. Wish I'd found it years ago.

Pigley - what a lovely gift!

Good luck myfirstbump! Hope it all goes smoothly.

Been in hospital all blardy afternoon, monitoring was fine, baby fully engaged, cervix soft and facing right way, just not dilated (she tried to do a sweep but couldn't) blood pressure and urine both fine. They've started moaning about having a date booked for induction and how it should have been today.

I said I was happy to continue a few more days as long as the monitoring kept showing baby was healthy and I had lots of movements. Hopefully she will come soon though because I'm starting to feel a bit ganged up on. Is it too much to ask that they have an actual medical reason why I should be induced before I agree to it? After all it's all based on an estimated due date, it's not an exact science!

Hello all and congrats on all the new arrivals since i last managed to get online

Rebecca is doing amazingly well considering her entry to the world lol

Finally a birth story as i'm able to piece together what happened with the help of DP and my lovely MW -
Was induced sunday night at 10pm and contractions hit pretty much straight away, every 15 mins but some co-codamol sorted out them as they weren't that hurty. Was on what could only be described as the loudest ward ever, no crying screaming full blown labour noise - just women arguing with MW's and amongst themselves so only managed 45 mins sleep Sunday night. Monday morning 9am and i'm 3cms dilated and getting my waters broken (kinda hurt but in the grand scheme of things it was nothing!!), contractions step up when DP comes in and have some Pethadine... bloody pointless, made me feel sick and did nothing to take the edge off contractions, every 10mins at that point. Sat on birthing ball, waters running everywhere and my show just plops out, i actually laughed at DP at that point as he had no idea what it was and got a little freaked lol. Moved to delivery suite at 12pm and DP was ushered off to let me get some sleep for an hour, couldn't sleep as i'd just been introduced to my new friend - Gas and Air, amazing stuff, highly recommended!! Get to 6pm and 8cms and needed an Epidural as all labour pains were in my back and coming every 90secs so was having very little rest inbetween, epi sited and synotocin (i think but sp deffo) drip attached. Hit the magic 10cms at 10pm and push like a mother-hubbard for an hour until MW realises head ain't moving at all and the epi isn't working - cue the worst 2.5hrs of my life and DP's too to be fair.
Thinking it'll only be a couple of minutes till i'm theatre i just wait... and wait... and wait... until the surgical team is called in from home to deal with me!!! The current team was dealing with a real proper life or death situation so calling in people was the only option to help deliver Rebecca.
No pain relief till i'm getting a spinal block in theatre at 1.15am and surgical team decide that a forceps delivery is impossible - oddily place and large of head baby and small pelvis don't mix, so section it is - Rebecca Louise made her way into the world pushed, pulled and ripped from inside me and tbh i don't care, she's here... practically perfect in every way as Mary Poppins would say

Managed to wangle my way out of hospital wednesday afternoon and came home to my mum, DP, half of Next baby and a lovely clean house. Everything has been an utter blur since then but am slowly getting my head around this mummy business!!

I know he won't be reading this but i'd like to say thank you to me DP for being bloody amazing, not showing me how worried he was when all he wanted to be was run away, for helping me through the painful last 2.5hrs - so bad i've considered that my daughter will probably be an only child, for letting me bruise his hand squeezing it, for putting Vasaline on my lips after toking the G&A, for making me laugh, keeping me sane and for giving me the most beautiful little girl in the world as a daughter

Hope i didn't bore you too much there Good luck to all those still expecting and hopefully when i've got a bit more of a routine going i'll be able to catch up with you all

xxxx

Hello all,

Woke up with a stinking headache - I'm hoping it's the weather. It's just started really raining here. All my veins in my arms are bulging and I look like Madonna after a workout! Not a good look.

Morph2 that is a great tip - we had to swaddle our DS2 - he liked to be in contact with something (or someone) all the time. I had fed him in bed one early morning and left him on my side to visit the loo. By the time I got back he had moved right across the bed and was snuggled up against DH's back. I watched him do it again later (he was only a few weeks old) by throwing his head across and then wiggling his body to find the heat source (and follow the snoring!), it was very cute.

MDM this is a bit gross, but you could try putting a slightly milky breast pad in his moses basket near him too, so he can smell you.

Looking forward to some birth stories today - this thread is giving me so much encouragement when otherwise I think I'd be pretty fed up!

JamesAndTheGiantBanana they don't need a medical reason as long as there is a remote statistical indication that a baby is more likely to be stillborn after 42 weeks and they therefore are risking being sued if it happens to you and they haven't insisted on an induction! I feel exactly the same as you. Even my MW doesn't want to give me a sweep or an induction as long as I am fit, have low blood pressure and the baby is all set to go, moving regularly and has a strong heart beat.
I think they just have to follow protocols.

SquirtsMum well done you and congratulations. Sounds very similar to my emergency CS 11 years ago (although I wasn't induced). Very traumatic but forgotton the moment my son was put on my (completely numb) breast.

It did really help me to talk through it all with the VBAC midwife when I did decide I could face having another baby - it was and is one of the most traumatic experiences of my life and I do think they should offer some counselling to women who have an ECS when they have healed a bit and are ready.

Good luck with your beautiful newborn and I hope you heal quickly too. And I hope whoever cleaned your house will continue to do so!

Congrats to all the new Mums, esp SquirtsMum sounds like you've had a traumatic time. Your tribute to your DP almost made me cry

James don't let them pressure you in to having an induction. When they did my (attempted) sweep on Sunday they said I could choose NOT to be induced at 42 weeks but would have to be monitored on a daily basis to ensure the baby & placenta are healthy. I've chosen this option for now as I want to give my body chance to do things naturally. Just wish it would bloody hurry up

Could be having a June baby at this rate, which I never thought possible with a due date in mid May! Think this baby just wants to be born in half term so future birthdays are school free

Squirtsmum have just cried reading the bit to to your DP. Bless you both, sounds horrific. But congratulations!!

myfirstbump good luck! Looking forward to hearing your news.

Sorry if have missed off congrats to anyone, its harder to keep up now.

Alex is 8 days old today and I am terrified that he will develop colic in a week or so. DD had terrible colic and in hindsight I think it caused me some anxiety/depression issues. I can only say this now that I compare Alex to her, he is so much easier and I am so much more comfortable about it all. Last night he went from 10pm until 330am until 6am!! Seriously with my daughter we didnt really sleep for 4 months or so, we took it in turns to hold/jiggle her downstairs for an hour at a time whilst she cried. Alex lies on his back by himself in his basket!!! I know it doesnt sound much but its incredible and am just worried it may all change?

Just popping past to let you know that Ira Jacob Miller arrived on the 24th May weighing 8lb 2oz. Planned homebirth ended at hospital with an epidural but I don't really care now as he's perfect IMHO!

Hang in there everyone who's still waiting, it may be clichetastic but they're worth it in the end.

Thanks again for all your support

Sarah

Morning girls, still no news from me either 40+6 and seeing midwife later today.

Huge congatulations Den! And lovely name Although bit crazy that Rian decided to appear a day before your booked section no wonder you were shocked!

james good for you sticking it out; don't let them bully you.

squirt sounds like dp was a tower of strength! Sorry it was all a bit traumatic but so glad R is worth it

Ali oh my word, massive at your ds snuggling up to dh that is the cutest thing ever!

pamela you sound really strong so try not to get too anxious about the possibility of colic. Not that I have any experience yet but seems to me you need to take every victory while you can with a newborn. If he is sleeping a lot better than your dd did, just revel in it. Even if it doesn't last (and I don't see why it shouldn't, all babies are different after all) that will be a different bridge to cross and you will be equipped for it.

Right, I'm off to shower and get dressed... and carry on willing my body to DO SOMETHING!

Ooh x-post luckymiller- congratulations! Another fab name too! Welcome Ira!

And the Monica in me can't resist another list update

THE NEW ARRIVALS

11 April LuckyC, GIRL MATILDA, 14.47
15 April ForcesSweetheart, GIRL, MOLLY, 10.27, 7lbs 6ozs
16 April Littleowls, BOY JOEL, 14.40, 4lb 8oz
16 April Memorylapse, GIRL, OLIVIA GRACE, 6.17pm, 6lbs 11.5ozs
27 April Brightredballoon, GIRL, ?, 10am, 7lb 12oz
27 April Pagen, BOY, JACK JOHN, 7.30am, 9lbs 2ozs
29 April littleonemum, GIRL, LUX EMILIE, 9.40pm, 7lbs 7 ozs
04 May fiveisanawfullybignumber, GIRL, FLORENCE MARGARET GRACE, 6.14pm,
04 May hormonalmum, GIRL
05 May sweetkitty, BOY, JACOB DAVID JOHN, 4.52am, 8lbs 5ozs
05 May Mustbemadno3 GIRL, LILLIA VICTORIA SOFIA, 05.05am 6lbs 8ozs
06 May Alle, BOY, OSCAR, 12.20pm 6lbs 8ozs
06 May alexw, GIRL, JULIA MAUD, 7lbs2oz
07 May TwentiethCenturyHeffa, BOY, CORIN, 7lbs1oz
07 May sheepgomeep, GIRL, JESSICA, 9lbs 12.5oz
08 May Lizzie9442, GIRL, LOUISE, 9.01pm, 10lbs
10 May Hobnobfanatic, GIRL
11 May 30ish, BOY, OLIVER JAMES, 10:05am, 9lbs 7oz.
12 May kateyjane, BOY, THOMAS EDWARD, 11.29am, 7lbs 12ozs
13 May MarquiseDeMerteuil, BOY, FELIX BENJAMIN, 5lbs 15oz
14 May itshappenedagain, GIRL, FLORENCE ELEANOR, 5.22am, 8lb 6oz
14 May TomlinTowers, GIRL, SOPHIE MAE, 8.43am, 9lbs 7oz
15 May pigleychez, GIRL, LUCY OLIVIA, 9.30am 7lbs 12oz
15 May slipperthief, BOY, DANIEL HENRY, 7.28pm, 8lbs 4oz
16 May Wibblela, GIRL, REFAELLA, 12.22am, 8lbs 4oz
17 May pamelat, BOY, ALEXANDER, 12.14pm, 7lbs 8oz
17 May Morph2, BOY, JACOB ANTHONY, 7.50pm, 6lbs 11ozs
18 May squirtsmum, GIRL, REBECCA LOUISE, 1.37am, 9lbs 14.5oz
18 May MinnieMummy, GIRL, 8.31am, 10lbs 11oz
18 May KatnKankles, GIRL, AVA ROSE, 8lbs 14oz
19 May Sweetpeasmum, GIRL, SOPHIE ELIZABETH, 6.38am
20 May Sassles, BOY, SAMUEL?, 9lbs 4oz
20 May KaffaCakes, BOY, ALBERT STANLEY, 1.09am, 7lbs 8.5oz
20 May Den26, BOY, RIAN ALEXANDER, 7lbs 13oz
21 May Carikube, GIRL, ALICE JANE, 2.17am, 8lbs 5oz
21 May peakyispreggers, BOY, FINN, 2.47am, 7lbs 12oz
21 May Gils, GIRL, MELISSA ANNE, 3.38am, 8lbs 10oz
21 May Rachelfruitloop, BOY, ERIC DAVID, 3.48am, 11lbs 2oz
24 May Mollybob, GIRL, MOLLY LETITIA ROSE, 2.24am, 8lbs 3oz
24 May LuckyMiller, BOY, IRA JACOB, 8lbs 2oz

THE WAITING LOUNGE

06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
08 May - Asparagusaddict, ? , #1
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
12 May - LivsHannah 27, #2, BOY
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - TinyVeins, 29, #1
13 May - Mummymunchkins, 40, #3, BOY
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2 GIRL
14 May - CornishSAMum, 33, #1, ?, Cornwall
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - schipo 40, #1, BOY
16 May - Vicky204, 34, #1
17 May - first1, 22, #1, GIRL, Surrey
17 May - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL Reading, Berks
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1, BOY
20 May - Aim, ?, #2, BOY
20 May - homebirthmummy4, #4
21 May - Suey2, 39, no2, GIRL
21 May - Mumofeag, 34, #3 BOY
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38,#1 BOY
23 May - Nimk, 30, #1
23 May - myfirstbump, 26, #1, Shrewsbury
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
24 May - Yorky, 31, #3
26 May - booboomonster, 35, #2 GIRL, SW London
26 May - AliMouse, 40, #3 BOY
26 May - Glastocchick, 34, #1
31 May - Hollyoaks, 28, #2
31 May - ande, #4
31 May - thegauntlet, #1

Gosh that list of those of you Over There On the Other Side keeps on getting longer!

Just did our usual Tues visit with my DS2 to local library and all the ladies were arguing about when I would 'pop'. I really hope I don't see them next Tuesday. Met a dear old chap in there with a bump bigger than mine - they told him he'd need at least forcepts!

Jacob lied at nursery yesterday when he was asked if I'd had the baby and told them I'd had it, because 'it's getting a bit boring now'. Out of the mouths of babes eh?

Off for a long walk on the beach then a Zizzis pizza with MIL and DS2. Just such a shame we can't have a nice bottle of wine with it! Ho hum...

Thanks for good luck ladies! I'm still here. Went to the hospital at 1am - 2cm dilated, and they were happy with progress of everything else. Sent me home to rest with a couple of cocodemols (sp?). Had a really good night's sleep and now getting more, and now quite painful, contractions. Just going to finish my cuppa and see if I can go back to hospital.

Just saw on FB that James is at the hospital having contractions too. Hopefully a run of new babies today!

Congrats LuckyMiller! What a lovely name! x

Sending labour vibes your way cupcake x

Den and Lucky - congratulations, and great to hear your story Squirt, sorry you had such a tough time but I'm so glad it ended well!

I have just had a bit of a melt down following crap midwife apt. Upshot is that she thinks the baby is breech because heartbeat is so high up. And now I have to go for a scan this afternoon at the hospital to check. I am 39+6 so due date is tomorrow. I am totally gutted at the thought of a c section, having done it naturally first time around I confess I hadn't even considered that this might happen. Does anyone have any experience of this? The midwife (who I've not seen before and who seemed a bit vacant) couldn't tell me what options there might be if it is breech - said that the hospital would advise. The baby has apparently been cephalic all the way through so not sure what has happened... Just feel totally deflated and miserable. I know it's best to find this out before going into birth (if it is breech) so I avoid a situation like Squirts, but I am just so miserable at the thought of it!

Also meant to say Memory - well done on the milk bank front - that's fantastic.

Hope everyone else is ok - sorry for the me post! Off to read up on c sections

Hello Ladies,

I have to say CONGRATULATIONS to the many ladies who have had babies since my last post - too many to keep up with I think! And good luck to MyFirst and James!!!

I'd like to share my birth story, especially in light of those who have had a hard time with the first one. Squirtsmum it sounded horrific, I also would highly recommend a debrief with a consultant midwife. I wish I had done that after the traumatic experience I'd had with DS1, as I carried around a lot of bad feelings I didn't even realise I'd had for over 2 years. My second time was SO MUCH EASIER than the first!

Here's my story. On Thursday I was scheduled for a consultation and to have a sweep. The MW looked at me when I walked in and couldn't hide her reaction to my big bump, and she said that I just looked like I was going to go into labour imminently, she could see it in my face. But as I had heard similar things from my MW with DS1 and he ended up being 2 weeks late, I took the comment with a grain of salt. BTW my DS1 was due 21 May and he was born 3 June, so those of you who end up having June babies, I can relate - it was hard to get my head round it at first because I hadn't considered the possibility!

So, MW did the sweep and said that my cervix was soft and stretchy and that she could feel the bag of waters and the baby's head, but that I wasn't quite a centimeter dilated yet. I was expecting it to be quite uncomfortable but it wasn't at all for me, I was pleasantly surprised. DH and I then went shopping and headed home for some lovely curry and we also DTD!!!

Went to bed a bit earlier than usual in case anything kicked off (10 pm) and at 12:50 am I woke feeling myself wetting and quickly realised it was my waters going so stood up next to the bed (when my waters broke with DS1, which is also how labour started with him, they stopped gushing when I stood up) but the water was just gushing and gushing out onto the floor, luckily I had this ugly rug down that I wanted to get rid of anyway. I woke DH saying "Honey my waters broke, get me a towel!!!" and he was completely disoriented! He went downstairs to tell MIL and I phoned my friend across the road who would be driving us to hospital and also be in with us during labour. Then phoned the hospital and said I was coming right in as my first labour progressed quickly after waters went. They said that was fine and they'd check me. Then I posted here to let you ladies know things had started

In the car, my contractions were about 6 to 8 minutes apart and steadily building in intensity. We arrived at the hospital just before 2 am and when the MW checked me I was 3 cms. The MW looked at my notes and saw that I wanted a water birth and said that with my history they normally wouldn't agree to it, but that as long as I would get out of the pool when she said so and we delivered the placenta out of the pool then that would be fine. I told her of course and explained that I had discussed the water birth with the consultant MW and that she actually recommended it to me, so I was a bit confused. The MW started filling the pool and said that I couldn't get in until I was 5 cms dilated so she would come back and check me in 2 hours. I asked for gas and air and she brought it in for me.

Meanwhile, my friend and DH were being very supportive, my contractions were very strong and frequent, to the point that I couldn't tell when one would end and another began. I was sick, couldn't tell if it was the gas and air or just transition, looking back it was probably transition. 45 mins later when the MW popped back in I asked her to please check me again as I either needed to get in the pool or have an epidural. She checked and to her surprise I was 7, nearly 8 cms dilated and that I could get in the pool. I got into the pool and within 5 minutes the urge to push was uncontrollable. I flashed back to my labour with DS1 as I was about 7 cms when I couldn't stop pushing and that was when the MW suggested I have an epidural. This time, the MW checked and I was already dilated to 10 and she said if I felt like pushing that I should. That's when the gas and air ran out!!!!!!! They brought another smaller canister of gas and air in, but the mouthpiece didn't fit on the hose!!!

The MW said nevermind as it was coming and that I should just push! I was in a total blind panic with the pain and was saying "I need an epidural!!!!!" (LOL looking back, as if that was an option!) and my friend was at the side of the pool yelling in my face "Breathe!!! Breathe with me!!!!" whilst my DH was trying to work out the gas and air! I then embarrassingly had a poo and then the head was pushed partially out. Oddly, the next contraction didn't give me that same sensation like I had to push but it was bloody painful and I figured I had just better keep pushing so this can end and I pushed his head out. With the next one not much happened when I pushed and then soon I heard an alarm going off! MW had pressed the panic button, 4 people rushed in and MW said "I need you to get out of the pool NOW" and I thought dear Lord, is this forceps time or what?! I stood and a couple of people helped lift me to my feet and I just thought "Don't bang his head on the side of the pool!!!" and very quickly I was reclining on the sofa next to the pool, MW helped shift baby and I pushed and then he came sliding out. It was shoulder dystocia, he had gotten his shoulders stuck and so that's why he wasn't coming out, but seemed to come out easily enough once we were out of the pool.

Baby Eric was born at 3:48 am - 2 hours and 58 minutes after my waters broke! (I'm A positive blood type, maybe there is something in that theory about quick labours!) MW put on my chest and I immediately put him to the breast. His face was quite blue but apgar scores were good. Everyone speculated that he was a big baby, probably over 10 lbs. I had the injection to deliver the placenta as I had a PPH last time and wanted to minimise the possibility of having another haemmorage. They managed to sort out the gas and air for me whilst I delivered the placenta and that was all normal. I had a second degree tear and not in the same place as the third degree tear I had with DS1. As the MW stitched up my tear, another came in with the scales and weighed Eric. We were all shocked to hear that he was 5.05 kilos, or 11 lbs 2 oz!

The MW definitely had panicked in the midst of all of this and she said to me if I have another baby, don't ever do that again!! "You scared me!" she said. I said no worries as I wouldn't be having any more! I am a bit irritated to be told off by the MW as I did warn her that my labour progressed quickly with DS1 and that he was big (my copies of the notes from his birth were in there whick she had a brief look at), and I didn't insist on the water birth, I was relying on the professionals to advise me. A couple of the MWs that saw me on the maternity ward also had a word with me about it. "I hear you had a hard time with the birth" which really surprised me as I thought I'd had a really easy time, and then figured out that something bad could have happened and we were lucky it didn't! I told them that I had no idea that it was risky. I'll definitely be wanting to have a debrief after this as I think it's pretty crappy that I think I did a great job and they are trying to make it seem like I was insistent on having a "risky" birth when I was taking all the advice I could get! I think the MW that delivered just doesn't want to get blamed for taking the risk, she could have easily just said it's too risky and I would have listened to her! Anyway it's day 4 and I am feeling veeeery hormonal!

We stayed in hospital over Friday night as they said I'd lost a lot of blood and wanted to wait for test results to see if I needed a transfusion and if my bleeding was ok. I could tell I didn't need one, as with DS1 I felt and looked horrible after the birth, really pale and weak and disoriented for days, and it was obvious I needed a transfusion. My iron levels actually came back higher than they were when my GP prescribed the iron tablets so I was very pleased! DS1, MIL and DH came to visit on Friday afternoon and Eric gave his big brother several much appreciated gifts! James (my DS1) is so enamored with the baby, it's just great! Eric breast fed like a champ, but during the night feeds was being lazy and pulling off the breast and just sucking the tip of my nipple, so now my nipples are still really sore. We went home Saturday afternoon and have had a parade of visitors ever since! My milk is well and truly in now so feeding is going well with the exception of the soreness. Everyone else is out right now, Eric is sleeping and this is the first chance I've had to actually sit and write it all without interruption! sorry it's so typically epic! I am still reading with interest and will do my best to keep up!

P.S. if your partner is bringing a digital camera to hospital, be sure he doesn't leave the memory card in the computer at home!