Went in for the sweep on Sunday at noon, as bp had started to climb and there were traces of protein in urine.
Contractions kicked off in earnest around 6 so went into MLU around 7.30.
Was 3cm.
Something told me it was going to be a long night!
BP still sitting 180/90 or thereabouts so it was decided to send me by ferry and ambulance to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
HELL ON EARTH.
One ambulance to Gourock, then another picked us up there for blue light transport to Paisley.
Oh.my.god.
The journey was dire - TONS of bumpy roundabouts so swinging round everywhere.
Worst, I was on my own as DH had to stay home with the girls.
Finally got to RAH and asked for epi, only to be told I'd have to wait as anaesthetist in theatre for emergency.
I got the pethindine, but the contractions were BAD and I didn't want a repeat of Dd2's birth.
G&A not working again.
Then told another emergency cropped up and did I want to be active and get on teh ball and shit.
Um, did I fuck?
I came here for epidural, now I'm getting one, goddammit.
So I waited till 1AM for one.
Was dilated, but BP all over hte place
So they gave me some BP drug called Labatolol or something like that after epi failed to control it.
At 3AM, I started to push.
At 4AM consultant called and said he could get baby out with ventouse, so paeds were called.
Baby Struan had cord wrapped round his neck twice - hence hte deceleration of his heart whilst I pushed - was surrounded by so much bloody fluid the floor had to be mopped, and was a whopping 9lbs., 5oz. (his sisters were 7lbs., 1oz and 6lbs., 90z respectively).
But he's okay and I'm SO happy and grateful I didn't have a drug-free birth again because the experience traumatised me.
We are just now home!
Struan fed ALL last night and slept the 2 hour journey home and is now sleeping peacefully against my skin on his Widgey pillow, which I am soooo happy to be reunited with.
Thanks to everyone who wisshed us well.
He looks just like his Daddy and eldest sister, who are out getting me a spicy pizza to go with my small glass of red wine .