Hi Everyone!
Katelin Amelia-May was born last Friday, 28th November at 9.11am. She weighs 7lbs 6 ozs and was 55cm long! Takes after her daddy (he's 6'6!)
I had a great labour (once it finally got really going) - only 7 hours and the average for a first baby is 12 - 15! I also achieved my goal - to only do it with gas and air. Dont get me wrong, next time it'll be an epidural but i'm glad i persevered and did it this way! My waters didnt break until i was fully dilated and then she arrived 10 mins later. Again, the midwives were amazed as the average pushing time is 2 hours!
My early labour started Mon night, contractions 10 - 12 mins apart, continued on like this till Wed aft and then they got harder and quicker, down to 4 mins in the end. Loaded the car up, drove 45 mins to hosp and got there at 11.30pm expecting to come home with a baby. Contractions were still 4 mins apart and wasnt on any pain relief - was told i was 3cm. Continued on till 6am and they started dying off. By 9am, they were 1 in 15. They told me to go to antenatal ward, i couldnt stick it there so i went home mid morning. I was distraught, cried and cried, i expected to walk through my door with my baby. So this is now Thurs aft, i havent slept for 2 days and im knackered! About 3.30pm, it all kicked off again, down to 1 in 8 etc but more painful. By 12am, they were 1 in 4 and i was screaming in agony. DP packed me in the car and drove me back to hospital. I was admitted to labour ward just after 1am and was 4cm, was pronounced as in active labour at 2amish. Well it was the worst thing i've ever been through! Dont get me wrong, i'd do it all again for her but i seriously cant get over how hard it was! The midwives were so good to me and i left at 5pm the same evening.
Oh and i have proved everyone wrong - all the way through my pregnancy i have been told i'd most likely end up with an assisted delivery if not a c-section coz im overweight and wont have enough muscle to push. Lets just say when i saw my midwife yest, she didnt dare mention anything regarding my PERFECT un-assisted, problem free birth and my resulting extremely healthy baby who got 3 apgar scores of 9!
I have to admit - this baby thing is harder than i expected! I'm sure all mums say that but she is the most beautiful thing in the world and i cant believe she is finally here!
This is the first time i've managed to get online since she was born, she is currently asleep in my left arm.
Sorry to hear some of you are still overdue i hope your little ones get going soon - just hope your latent phase isnt 3.5 days like mine - that was a bitch!