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On Bank Holiday Monday I felt a bit unwell, tired and generally just uncomfy. I felt better on the Tuesday but Tuesday night I had a few pains but put it down to the baby having a good kick about.
We had an appointment at the hospital at 9.30 on Wednesday (5 May) to see the consultant about getting an appointment for being induced. DH and I walked to the hospital (about 10-15mins away at my pace) but I had to keep stopping cos I felt too much pressure in my pelvis.
We saw the consultant who said that he’d book me in for the next Wednesday and then make a date for the induction. I was not happy and told him so. He said that he could do a sweep if I wanted to which I said yes. When he went to do the sweep he said ‘oh, you’re 3cm dilated already’ to which I replied in total shock ‘really?’ He wrote in my notes ‘delivery imminent’ and said that he’d probably see us later. I laughed and said ‘I doubt it as I’ve heard that before’.
My dad picked me up from the hospital and DH went to work. I stayed at my mums and started to have contractions but didn’t want to get my hopes up. We started to write down how far apart they were and how long they lasted. Had something to eat and 2 paracetamols (not sure why as they did nothing!!) My mum persuaded me to go for a walk around the block which we did and the pains seemed to stop until we got back home and I sat down. We’d been phoning my DH to keep him updated and then my mum rang to say that he should come home but he’s already been told by my bil who he works with (via my sister) to get a move on and get home. He got to my mums all relaxed and made him and my dad a cup of tea!!
The pains were getting stronger so I said to my dad to hurry up and get me to the hospital but he seemed more interested in finishing cleaning his fish tanks. It didn’t go down too well with me!
We got to the hospital and I was ready for them to say go home. They found me a room and put me on a monitor as baby’s heartbeat was quite fast (just got a lively baby like they kept finding out after being put on the monitor soooooooo many times in the past). I was examined around 6.00pm and told I was 6cm. Couldn’t believe it. I strapped on the TENS machine and it gave me some relief but the contractions were really getting strong.
My mil had turned up at this point!
I’d hoped for a waterbirth and they finally took me to a different room where the pool was filling up. As soon as it was ready I got in and the relief of the warm water was brilliant. I felt ok until the next contraction hit me and then I started on the gas and air. I wasn’t using it right and told the midwife it was a load of rubbish but I soon changed my mind! The midwife said that there could only be 2 people with me at the birth (my DH and mum) so mil said she’d wait outside. I sent DH off with her to get something to eat as I thought it would be a long night. He got back around 9.00pm just after I’d been examined and told I was between 8/9cm. To say I was shocked to have got this far with a bit of gas and air amazed me.
I then said I felt like I needed to poo (like I had all day) and the midwife said I could push whenever I felt ready. I can’t describe how hard I felt it was to push. I’ve never worked so hard in all my life! I think I might have nearly cried a couple of times saying that I couldn’t do it. The midwives, DH and my mum were all giving words of encouragement but at the time it felt like I was the only one in the world who’d ever given birth!!
It seemed like ages for her head to appear and I did touch down and feel it (as did DH and my mum). When her head finally emerged it seemed like seconds before her body slipped out. We were all totally amazed and overwhelmed – (especially me that it was over!). As the water was a bit dirty and Olivia’s body was kept under to keep warm we didn’t know what she was straight away. I said it’s a boy and John said no it’s a girl. We said this a couple of times before reality sunk in and I said it’s a girl. We were in total shock as we were certain we were having a boy.
I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta and then had to be stitched up (30 stitches in all). Even though they inject to numb the pain it still hurt especially when the needle went into a bit that wasn’t numb. I was sucking on the gas and air like a goodun!
It’s all been going ok. I had a few problems feeding as my nipples ended up bleeding but now we seem to be on the right track and she seems quite a contented little girl – for the moment. Being woken up in the night is a bit hard but it’s one of those things that I’ll have to get used to. Still can’t believe I’m a mum. Although it feels great.