Birth Story.........
Thursday 19th June
3am - contractions started at 10 mins apart but bearable. Tried to sleep but felt should time them so went downstairs and used online contraction timer. At some point later on I came on MN for advice - where else can you get advice at such an hour
5ish - phoned number I was given for when went into labour. They got midwife to call me back.
5.20ish - got phonecall from very tired sounding midwife asking questions and saying I should call back when get stronger (I felt I didn't want to make her come out until I had to)
6.30ish - when dh woke up, told him I was in labour. He starts saying 'are you ok' every time I had pain and I explained I'd been doing this by myself for last 3 and half hours and not to panic
8ish - dh started setting up birthing pool
8.30ish - phoned midwife's mobile and she was wide awake and attending another homebirth round the corner and said was surprised I hadn't called earlier. She was lovely and not long until she was done there and came to mine.
Bless the midwife, she was already tired after a busy night (had 3 homebirths before mine - must be down to the full moon! ). She had someone else arrive not long later and she thought I was going to be quick because of my contractions but when she did finally check me, I was only 3-4cms She didn't want me in the pool before 4cms as can slow things down.
Contractions were getting stronger and stronger and I ended up in the pool (once past 4cms). They started slowing down a bit but when topped up with hot water would suddenly come back. Not sure how long I was in the pool for but I had decided for few reasons not to birth in there in the end and as I was getting the shakes, I got out and carried on with my birthing ball etc.
I went ages without gas and air as for some reason I didn't fancy it this time. The pain of the worse contractions made me feel sick and I did throw up quite bad at one point and didn't feel like eating or drinking so hardly any energy but the midwives and my best mate (other birthing partner) were fab at making me get through the times I said 'I can't do this' lol. I tried to have gas and air to help but I just didn't want it which was weird as I loved it last time lol.
I could pretty much feel when I was almost dilated because it all felt very open downstairs Midwife listened to me, checked and I was 10cms. She broke my waters then explained I had meconium liquor so it was get the baby out asap or I'd have to be transferred to hospital. I was a bit but she was great in the way she said it all. I went on my knees and lent on the outside of the pool and pushed with all I had and it didn't take long for ds2 to arrive (3rd midwife, my personal one, arrived when just started pushing). I didn't see him because of my position but I'm pleased in the end as it turned out he had the cord VERY tight round his neck and dh said he was very very blue and it scared him. I had been told at one point to concentrate on what one particular midwife said in how to push, when to change to panting etc. and I did exactly what she said. This is how he ended up safely delivered and I just love these community midwives for how calm they were as I had no idea there was a problem, took it as being normal stuff they were saying.
My perfect little boy arrived at 2.50pm after an 11 hour 50 min labour and he was worth every minute He fed very well for the first hour but was very sleepy after but has been great again since 5ish this afternoon and been loving his skin to skin contact
Looney is very much in love with her new little baby and is also VERY VERY proud of her 5 yr old ds1 who stayed off school to be there for the whole thing and was great considering and who loves his baby brother - he's been amazing with him
Ds1 splashed about in the pool for a while after (as was clean due to me not birthing in it) and loved it and it was just such a funny thing - he had armbands on his wrists AND his ankles and it was just so funny to have that going on in the lounge
Right, I'm amazed Joshua let me type for that long whilst sleeping next to me. Time to go now I think.
Thanks for all the lovely messages etc. and catch up soon.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
LT xx