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I had acupuncture and a sweep done on Thursday afternoon at 41+4 and was found to be 2cm dilated and 50% effaced at the sweep so felt like *something* was happening. Had another lot of acupuncture on Friday morning and really felt it on Friday, more so than I had on Thursday. Started getting some tightenings at about 5:00pm on Friday but were more like Braxton Hicks not painful at all. Had a clary sage bath and ate a whole pineapple in the evening as thought it's either going to happen or it's not . We went to bed early at about 9:30 on Friday as I was absolutely shattered.
Was woken at about 11:30 with contractions and couldn't get back to sleep as they were coming about every 4 minutes so got up and went downstairs. Started walking around the house and timing the contractions properly and they were coming 3 minutes, 3 minutes then 2 minutes and getting more uncomfortable so got into the bath which was wonderful. Stayed in the bath for about ½ an hour but thought I'd better call my sister to come and look after Kiera for us as things were happening.
Went and woke DH up and told him things were happening and he called my sister at about 12:15. Finished packing my bag and strapped TENS machine on which helped my backache but not the actual contractions. My sister and her boyfriend arrived at about 1:00 more excited than we were . Had a quick chat with my sister about where Kiera's things were and her morning routine (in between contractions) and set off for the hospital at about 1:40.
Got to the hospital at about 2:00 after having the most uncomfortable car journey of my life. Got out of the car and had 5 contractions between the car and getting to the delivery suite. Had two contractions whilst trying to get through the drunks in A&E which was a bit embarassing as it all went quiet .
Got shown straight into a labour room and given the gas and air whilst I stood over the end of the bed and the midwife Emma asked a few questions. She asked me if I'd like to get changed rather than mess up my clothes when my waters went so between contractions I stuck my nightshirt on and about 5 minutes later my waters went everywhere.
Emma held the heart monitor on my tummy whilst I was standing up as there was meconium in my waters but Aidan was still quite happy in there. Had a few more contractions and said I felt like I needed to go to the toilet so Emma asked if she could examine me but it took four contractions for me to actually get onto the bed at about 3:00 and she found I was 7cm dilated which was a relief and I couldn't wait to get off the bed again.
Within about 10 minutes of contractions I was pushing and I had no control over it which I found amazing, my body was doing everything instinctively. Emma put a beanbag under me just in case he shot out and called the paediatrician in as a precaution as there had been meconium in the waters. 11 minutes later Aidan was born at 3:25 and DH shouted it's a boy and I didn't believe him .
They suctioned his mouth and nose out and he got an Apgar of 9 and then 10. DH had a lovely cuddle whilst I was stitched up (2nd degree tear but not half as painful as the episiotomy last time). They then weighed and measured him, 10lb ½ oz and 60cm long and then we were left in the delivery room for a couple of hours to gaze at our new bundle. I didn't get the 6 hour discharge that I'd hoped for as Aidan had passed meconium during delivery so they wanted to keep an eye on him. Aidan has a dimple on his back which needs to be looked at by a paediatrician which we are going to see today and a clicky left hip which will be scanned in 6 weeks.
He's the absolute image of Kiera when she was born which I found quite uncanny, didn't expect them to look *sooo* much alike and so far is a very laid back baby. Sleeps all day and feeds most of the night. Feel absolutely fantastic, am back in my jeans already Yeeeeyyyy! and really don't feel like a gave birth two days ago.