MSE Pregnancy Club Birth Stories

GemmaE

Well here goes; this is my birth story, hopefully it won't be too long or too offputting for anyone.

At 32 weeks pregnant my waters started to leak and I was admitted to hospital for 48 hours of monitoring and put on antibiotics. After I was allowed to go home I had to return for twice weekly checks including weekly scans, twice weekly CTG monitoring and blood tests and told not to return to work.

My waters continued to leak for the next five weeks with no real consequences, the hospital didn't appear too worried and I felt fine in myself. My only concern was that I would end up going over my due date by two weeks and wasting two months maternity leave before I got to meet my baby.

At one of my visits to the hospital for monitoring a doctor came onto the Day Assessment Unit and asked when I wanted to be induced, which was a bit of a shock as this was the first time it had been mentioned. We went for the 8th January 2010, which would mean I was 37+0.

Got to the induction date and due to the bad snow we had at the end of 2009/ beginning of 2010 I was a bit concerned about anything happening after OH got sent home. Went off to the hospital for 10am and at about 12.30 lunchtime was given a Prostin pessary, which was quite uncomfortable, although I was quite pleased that my cervix was effaced, but told this probably wouldn't do much and not to expect anything to happen until the next day.

Was wired up to the monitor and could see I was having some mild contractions, but nothign serious, just felt like a bit of a dodgy tummy. OH came back at 4pm after finishing work and we went for a walk around the hospital to try and get things moving along a bit, once I started walking around the pains started to get quite bad, I was only managing 10 steps or so then having to stop and bend over against a wall to try and ease the pain.

We went back up to the ward and things seemed to settle down a bit, OH left at 8pm and I started trying to get some sleep. i dozed on and off until just after midnight when I felt like my waters had broken, luckily a midwife was in the room checking over another lady so I told her and she sent me off the the toilet with a pad to have a look.

When I checked it was blood rather than waters and was everywhere, I put the pad on and headed off back to my bed, saw the MW and said that I was bleeding, she said she would be back in a minute. I saw a health care assistant and apologised to her for the mess I had left in the toilet (on the floor) but I couldn't bend down to clean it up. She went in and came back straight away to check I had told a MW.

I couldn't get back on the bed as my bump was hurting so much, more underneath it rather then on it, and when the MW came on she had to practiccally force me onto the bed to have a look. She managed to undress me and all the time I could feel the blood coming.

The next thing I knew there were 4 MWs around me and a doctor trying to assess how dilated I was, at this point I was only 2cms dilated. I was hooked onto a monitor and hearing my babies heartbeat was the best sound I have ever heard at this point. I was told 'we need to get htis baby out, you need to have a caesarean' and I was canulised, OH called and my belongings put on my bed straight away.

When I got into theatre the anaesthetists were really nice and laughing and joking with me, trying to stop me from panicking too much. I was still holding up at this point but had started to shake a lot. When OH came in in his scrubs I lost it and started crying because he looked so scared.

When the epidural was going in it felt like someone was pushing there thumb into my back and they had to hold me down to get it in, and I was told that if this doesn't go in or work they would need to knock me out, which helped me focus a bit!! OH had been asked to leavbe while they did the epidural and then when he came back he came and sat next to me he told me how brave I was and we were nearly there. I told him they were going to cut me open and he looked really shocked as no one had told him at this point. I started to cry again and he kept talking to me trying to calm me down.

Once they were doing the caesarean i could feel them rummaging around inside me and then hurt a little mewling like a cat as my beautiful little girl was brought into the world at 2.01 am. They tried to give her to me, but I had started to feel sick and was numb from the boobs down so I made them give her to OH. he held her while I was being sick and stitched up. I think the stitching up took about 40 minutes as I was apparently losing a lot of blood.

We spent about an hour in recovery, I think I held her for a short time, but really can't remember, and then we were taken back to the ward. OH went home at about 4am and I was left with the baby in a cot, unable to move to get her or know what was going on.

I spent 4 days in hospital, and then had to return for 6 doses of Venofer, which is IV iron, as my blood loss was so high (my levels were 7.9 and I lost about 3 pints), and my iron was so low, and i have just had my last dose today.

It took me a couple of days to feel bonded with Jessica Rose as I felt like I had failed her as a mum by 'messing up' the last few weeks of pregnancy and labour, but now feel a lot more optimistic.

We have been offered counselling and a chance to talk to the hospital about the labour and why what happened happened, which we will be doing in a few weeks once we are settled into a routine and I can drive again. I would like to have more children, but only if the above was not down to my body not being able to cope with late pregnancy.

I had planned a water birth this time and ended up with a caesarean which I had not even contemplated so I would defintaley recommend you look at all the options for labour just in case

three2be

OK will try to keep this quick and simple like the birth lol

Woke at 4am with cramping pains and went to the loo as i had a bit of pressure, thought maybe i just had a dodgy tum, but nothing was happening. Started to wonder if this was it so i made a cuppa and tried to time them, it was impossible they were varying in length and intensity until around 5am.
By 5.30 i had tried and failed to get into a bath so woke OH who asked me if i was sure i was in labor:eek: offered to kick him in the nuts so he could decide if the pains were severe:rotfl: he declined and got up. Had a bath with OH's assistance, Got the kids up at 6 as things were getting painful, took them to my parents and had to calm my dad who was in melt down convinced i was giving birth on the kitchen floor.
Got to the hospital and was shown to a bed in the assessment unit and left for half an hour with out seeing anyone:mad: had some show when i went to the loo, put on a monitor then they told me i was in labor lol by the time they organized a labor room for me it was nearly 8.30, got a lovely MW and a trainee too both of them were good if a little stupid with their conversation like the trainee asking the MW if she had ever had a surprise twin, very funny when you are in labor:mad:
Never got any pain relief except G&A as by the time i got to the room and got changed and they sorted out the monitor and paperwork and went looking for a birthing kit as there were none in the room the MW said it may be too late, so she asked if i would prefer it if my waters were broke to speed things along , everything became a bit of a blur after that it was fast and the G&A made me feel sick, Pushed on my side instead of lying on my back and it was so much easier. just turned onto my back when he started to crown, had skin to skin straight away and they didn't take him until after i had pushed out the placenta.
First stage 6 hrs 5 min
Second stage 20 min
Third stage 12 min
Born 10 25 am
No stitches only light tears,
That's me done having kids he was a massive surprise, but so worth it even when he screams the place down and keeps me up lol

meltdown_point

OK all......
Due on the 10 feb.......baby Mark arrived on the 15th Jan

14th Jan Baby breech.......brought into hospital for the drs to turn him......it didnt work but i started to contract!!!!

Contractions stopped.....but i was kept in for obversation, got home on the 15th at around 1pm

2pm lifted the kids from school......went home felt sick.....lay down
2.30 DP came home with stuff for the dinner........my waters broke when i was lying down on the sofa!!
3.00 called mum....and ambulance

Blues and twos all the way to the hospital......

4.10 arrived at hospital.....met by mulitple teams of obs....peads...and the wonderful people who gave me my epidural:-)

4.20 millions of questions..........would i like a section....NO NO!! try naturally please but if anything goes wrong please section me!!!

4.30 was asked if i would like the birth filmed!!! NO (tv crew was there filming a new midwife thing for the bbc)

4.40 Big consultant arrives and tells everyone to get out!! Students all grumbled!! apparently a breech natural delivery is a rareity, and they all wanted to see it......im glad tho:-) Big consultant hand picked his team!!

5.00 epidural goes in.......Bliss!!

6.55 im told im ready to push..........wow!

7.14 told to stop pushing as they needed to use forcepts to deliver the babys head......i only pushed twice!!

7.15 baby mark is born....not crying and very blue......OMG!! Consultant said dont worry baby is ok.....now you dont need stitches and you hav,nt torn!! yippie!!

8.05 they had to manually remove my placenta.......although i didnt feel it....I heard it!! YUCK!!!

Baby weighed in at 4lb 10oz!!!! And is wonderful!!

kindofagilr

Well done for delivering him naturally breech!

I was told babybean was breech and there is no way i think I would have it in me to do it naturally, thankfully he has turned back to head down (athough I know he has time to turn back lol)

neneromanova

Well there's not really much to this story.

I woke at 7 and felt peiod like cramps, told mother and she said it could be the day. I had the cramps all morning so decided to ring the hospital just to see what they said, no one was available so they said go have a bath and someone will ring me back. I was in the bath and dad passed me the phone. The guy said they'd send the midwife round to check me out and see what was happening.

Midwife popped round at about half 1, checked me over and did a sweep. She said I'd have a baby by midnight. She then left and at 2pm the contractions started soming through thick and fast. Mum said she'd take me in whenever I wanted so at 3 I said lets go as I needed some pain relief.

Got to the ward and asked for some pain relief. "oh we don't like giving gas and air until you're about 5cm dialated". Mum said the look I gave her was brilliant. She said ok i'll see how far gone you are. She checked me over and I was 4-5cm so she gave me gas and air. this was at about 4. By 4.45 I whispered to my mum that I had wet myself, feeling embarrassed. Mum told the midwife and she checked me. My waters had broken and I was 9cm Dilated and wanting to push. She said don't push just yet. Ran to go get the bath started. She made a joke that the baby might be here before the bath was full.

I got into the bath at about 6 which was HEAVEN! I then was told to push when I felt the urge. Alex was finally born after the 3 attempt of her head out at 7:03pm weighing 7lbs 5oz. I was home by 11pm that night

Sarah_Joanne

Sorry this is really epic! STarted writing and before I knew it I was on page 3.

I had planned a home birth and my due date was 16th Feb 2010.

I woke up with what I thought was a Braxton Hicks about 8am on Sunday morning (7th Feb) went back to sleep as I'd been having BHs wake me up for a few weeks now. Woke up with another contraction about 15 or so minutes later still thinking it was a BH and I got up to go to the loo.

As I sat down I felt a gush of water, thought maybe my waters had gone but wasn’t really sure. I then did a wee, so I knew I hadn’t just lost bladder control as I sat down. Still wasn’t convinced it was my waters though and I went back to bed. A short while later I had another contraction, went to get out of bed and had another gush. I now realised that this was my waters and these probably weren’t BHs!

I woke up DH who had only been home from work 4 hours to tell him my waters had gone. He wanted to call the midwife but I wanted to wait an hour or so just in case progress was slow as I wanted to avoid induction.
We lay in bed for a while then came downstairs where I walked around, DH made me a slice of toast and about 9.30am I called the MW office who said someone would come out and assess me.

My mobile rang with a number I didn’t recognise so I answered thinking it was my MW calling back to find it was a customer wanting to chat to me, so I said I was busy but would call back in a few days! I then changed my voicemail message and didn’t answer it again!
I continued to walk up and down the stairs and around the house until the midwife arrived about 12pm-ish. Contractions were irregular at 10-18 minutes apart but getting stronger. MW said she would leave us to it, suggested I go for a walk and to ring back when contractions were 5 minutes apart.

I had another contraction as soon as she left, then they came every 5 minutes! After an hour DH called back and she said she would come back to us within about 45 minutes. She examined me when she got back and I was 2-3cm dilated, contractions were coming every 4-5 minutes and she ordered the gas and air. I continued walking around, going upstairs to change my pad, knickers and trousers regularly as I was gushing water what felt like all the time!

5pm came and MW shift was over so her colleague arrived to take over, a lovely guy called Andrew. I had initially been unsure about having a male MW attend but had said I didn’t mind as I didn’t want to jeopardise my home birth if he was the only MW on when I went into labour.

I was examined again and was relieved to be told I was 5cm dilated as this meant I could get in my birth pool. I got in and it was really nice! Ever so slightly cold so DH topped up with warm water and I just got on with it.
Laboured in the pool with not much to write home about really and when I was examined at 9pm I was fully dilated. At some point another MW was called and she arrived not long after with a student.

I began to get an urge to push so I pushed. And I pushed. And I pushed. I gave up the gas and air to concentrate on pushing and it was hard work. DH says after a while the MWs were looking a bit concerned. They kept telling me I was almost there and it wouldn’t be long but it was getting harder and harder and I said to them a couple of times that I wasn’t coping and couldn’t do this much longer. Didn’t lose my sense of humour though, I asked at one point if it would be much longer, was told it would be really soon and I replied “oh yeah, I bet you say that to all the girls!”

At some point I ran out of G&A but can’t really remember when. More was ordered and delivered but took half an hour or so to arrive.

Turns out I‘d been pushing for about 2 hours. I was examined internally in the pool and MW said he thought the baby’s head was facing forwards and maybe he had turned.

I agreed to get out of the pool and was examined on the sofa which was excruciating having to be out of the pool and lay still, plus I was now cold and wet. So baby had turned back to back and I was asked what I wanted to do. I had no idea what I could do so asked MW what they thought. They suggested transferring in to hospital as the baby would need to be manually turned as he was not coming out the way he was now. I agreed as I was now desperate for some pain relief. Baby’s heartbeat had been monitored regularly for quite some time and was being monitored again now but was absolutely fine.

DH got me some clothes, I dried and dressed and leaned against my living room wall, sucking on gas and air until the ambulance arrived. It took ages. Not sure exactly how long but the student had to leave as her dad was picking her up and it was late, and the MW had to call again to chase the ambulance as it had been so long.

Ambulance finally arrived and I waited for the current contraction to pass before walking to it. Paramedic tried to get me to lie on the trolley but I couldn’t. Another contraction came and I wedged one foot on the floor and one on the trolley and one hand on the side wall and one behind me and pushed through the pain even though I knew it wasn’t doing anything. I was given the gas and air and had to be told to only use it during contractions as I was on it almost constantly as the pain had got so bad even in between since getting out of the pool.

Journey didn’t seem too long considering, probably because I was so high on the G&A!!

I was wheeled on the trolley up to a delivery suite room where I was asked to get on the bed. I didn’t want to as leaning over it seemed so much more preferable. Dr needed to examine me so I had to get on the bed and it was awful. She decided baby was back to back with his head turned to the side, she recommended forceps to try and turn him. The anaesthetist came and recommended a spinal block which I immediately agreed to. Seemed like a while before I was wheeled to theatre where the block was put in. It was such hard work sitting still on the bed through the contractions while they put it in. I had to sign the consent form agreeing to the forceps and possibly a c section of the forceps were unsuccessful.

I noticed the clock on the wall and it was now 12.45am Monday morning.
Spinal worked within a couple of minutes. Very strange as I could still “feel” my legs out in front of me on the bed while 2 people lifted them up and put them into stirrups. Once I was completely numb I was wheeled feet (and foof) first into the actual theatre where several people were waiting.

I was sobbing by this point and the spinal was making me shake.
One MW had her hand on my tummy to feel when my contractions were and the Dr was getting the forceps etc ready. After a couple of minutes Dr started to try and turn baby. First few attempts baby turned back round so Dr said she would try one more time and if that failed then it would be a c section. Luckily the next try Dr turned him and he stayed so I was told that I would need to push with the next contraction and they’d tell me when. They said I wouldn’t be able to feel myself pushing but I knew what to do cos I'd been pushing at home. So contraction came and I pushed, I think! I wasn’t entirely sure that I wasn’t just holding my breath as I really couldn’t feel anything. Apparently it was good enough though and with another 2 (I think) contractions baby was born! The time was now 1.20am.

I had asked as I was being wheeled into theatre that baby be shown to DH first so that he could tell me the sex as we had waited to find out. I am so glad I did as seeing DH’s face as he looked and turned to me to say “it’s a boy” was just amazing.
Baby was then placed onto a towel on my chest for about 30 seconds and I just looked at him and cried. I was so relieved. He was then taken to be weighed and cleaned up and I held DH’s hand and we decided on the name Alfie. This had been front runner for a while but it was never definite.

After a couple of minutes Alfie was given back to me in a towel and I just held him.
I then noticed I was being stitched up. This seemed to take quite some time, maybe 5 minutes so no idea how many stitches that equates to! Nobody told me but I asked a MW later if had torn quite badly and was told I'd had an episiotomy.
I think I was then given an injection to help deliver the placenta, and I was told by the anaesthetist that I was being given a pain relieving pessary.

I was then wheeled up to the delivery suite and put in a small room there and DH stayed with me. I was given tea and toast. After about an hour I remembered that I had wanted to try and breastfeed as soon as possible so gave it a go and Alfie latched on well very quickly which I was really pleased about. I also took off his towel and my top so we could have skin to skin.

Twinkles08

Charlotte Eve was born on Sat 20th feb 2010,8 days early which was a bit of a surprise.
With dd1 I was in labour from start to finish for 26 hrs,so I presumed I was in for the long haul with dd2-I was wrong!From start to finish was just over 4 hrs long.
I started getting period type cramps at about 4pm on Sat,I wasn't sure if it was the real deal but I did start to note the times.Meanwhile I was busy cooking a roast chicken dinner (nom nom),the pains continued and gradually started to worsen.I rang my parents to put them on 'alert' as they were coming to babysit dd1,I also rang hubby at work to warn him he might need to come home.I then put dd1 to bed,it only took 20 mins but by the time I was reading her bedtime story,I was having to stop and breathe thru the contractions.I went back down stairs and rang everybody again and said I was defo in labour and all systems go please!Both hubby and mum and my sis took 40 mins to get to me but by then I was really struggling as we didn't even have any paracetomol in the house!Contractions were v strong and coming every min or two.Hubby and me drove to hospital which luckily is 5 mins away.As I was walking to the labour ward,every step I took seemed to hit me with another contraction.Plus I really really wanted the loo and was feeling the urge to push (app this was babys head).I made it to the labour ward door and they took one look at me and got me a wheelchair.In the delivery suite,I answered their questions and asked if I cld go toilet.As soon as I sat on the toilet my waters popped and my body took over completely and started to push.My hubby and the midwife hauled me off the toilet as they were concerned baby was going to be born in the toilet!lol.They got me on the bed and I finally had some pain relief.I was so grateful for that gas and air.The midwife examined me and said I was fully dilated and babys head was right there so I could start pushing.2-3 contractions later and she shot out.It was all so surreal as I was in the building less than 25 mins before she was born and I couldn't believe that baby was here already.Because of the speed that it all happened,I went into a little bit of shock after so started to shake like mad.Although the labour was far more intense than my first it was much more enjoyable as I have recovered much quicker.Saying that afterpains are as bad as contractions!!lol
Baby Charlotte and me stayed in hospital for 2 nights as I have fibromyalgia and they wanted to keep an eye on us.We both came out on tues and all is well.

nikkit72

Thomas Andrew John was born on 25th Feb 2010 at 17.10,
I was overdue by 4 days , but previously during this pregnancy i was found to have a cyst at 12 weeks scan , so was just going to be kept a eye on , at 15 weks pg , i awoke at 5am in severe pain and rushed to A & E and was in theatre within a cpl hours as the cysat had got stuck behind my utereus and bladder, they advised me that my baby may not survive this op as i was so early in the pg but , they had to drain this cyst as it was 8cm x 8 cm x4cm and was at risk of bursting , so they did , i had a scar from my belly button down to my bikini line, due to this op and the scar i was kept a close eye on throughout my pg, this is why my consultant would let me go over due by the normal 14 days ,

I went into Mk general at 8am on thursday 25th feb , after calling them to check they were ready for me , we went straight to delivery suite, I was met by my midwives Rachel (student) , and Natalie , they were really nice , i was going to be having my waters broken , Rachel went in to break waters but because my Thomas was very low and the waters were right at the top she couldnt reach them , so Natalie had a go , and to be honest was quite rough trying to reach them , in the end she got them and they just started to trickle , at first she thought it was wee, but i had been about 10 mins before , so we were 90% sure it was , they told me to go for a walk for about 2 hours and hopefully things will get moving , so off me and OH went,
After hour and half and nothing just lots of changes of pads with waters and blood , we went back to the delivery suite , and told Rachel and Natalie, so the came in and examined me , and found i was about 4 cm , so things were moving but no contractions , so we decided to be put on a drip , the disadvantage was that you ahve to saty on the bed once the drip had been attached, so thye started it at 6ml , and things started slowly with mild contractions , had by now put my tens machine ( waste of money ) it wasnt making no difference so eventually took off after hour , as it was such a waste of time , i then went on to the gas and air , which was great increasedd drip to 12ml , after about 2 hours thye decided to examine again as i was having urges to push , they found i was only about 6-7 cm dilated, so decided to increase the drip to 24 ml, after about half hour things seemed to of got going really well , and i was using the gas and air like no tomorrow, and was pushing , but nothing seemed to be happening , at this time it was change over of the midwives.
I was then introduced to Gill ( student ) and pesilla , they then decided to give another internal as i was pushing but nothing happening ( about 14.00 by now) , but found there wass still a lip around babies head , and were getting worried by now as i wanted to push but they needed me to stop, they called the registrar up to see me , to see if they could stop my body from pushing as i was just not ready, the registrar decided another internal was due , she did this as i was having a contraction at this time she stretched the lip over hes head and told me i was fully dilated, and to start pushing when i felt the urge , so off we went 4pm, was pushing and pushing and at about 4.30pm he was at the bend of the pelvis and was getting stuck at every cntraction , i was pushing so hard and getting very tired by now, i just said please get him out use the cap or the forceps , please , they then called the consultant up as it was distressing and Thomas as he's heartbeat was dropping everytime i was pushing, as he was just getting suck , i even told them to take me for c section , that was how desparate and tired i was and scared of what was happening to me , the consultant dissappeared out of the room , at this time i pushed and pushed and suddenly felt him come round that bend at 17.05 an dthe midwives cheer and said one more push and hes head will be out , so gently did it , and pushed , when they said, panted when they said , and hes head came out , then gently pushed the rest of hes body out at 17.10, no cry at first but he was very clean and placed straight on me , then a little moan from him , and OH eyes broke , and something like water came out of them , i think they call it tears,
He was weighed then placed skin to skin on me , and it was very emotional,
We were then let to go home at 9pm that evening. And all is great


AND MILTON KEYNES GENERAL IS FAB !!!!!! ( not like the news reports in last month )

Evansangel

Birth Story!


Lily Isobel Valentine
Born 10/03/2010
At 1:05pm


Weighing 9lbs 11.5ozs


Tuesday evening me and Felix planned to go and see Alice in Wonderland in 3d on Wednesday as it was the only chance we'd get before baby come. Felix kept saying that I would go into labour but I kept saying I knew I wouldn't.


We went to bed and I took a last bump pic (40+3)


At 5am I woke up needing the toilet, I had a wee and when I stood up a small amount of liquid wet my PJ's. I didn't know if I wet myself or it was waters, so I went back to bed (!!) As soon as I got back into bed I felt my first pain, but it was small and I fell asleep.
At 5:44am I woke up with a horrible pain and kept getting them. It was feeling like I needed to poo but everytime I went to the toilet nothing happened.


By 7am I was crying in pain and called the maternity unit who told me to come in.
Whilst contracting (quite a lot) I was rushing around brushing my teeth and doing my hair so I looked ok at least lol!


Got in at 8am, and had examination at 8:30am, to be told the good news! I was already 6cm dilated!!
Woohoo!


So I had some pain killers, I cant remember what they were, but I was asked if I was allergic to codine lol. Got into the pool and the relief was amazing! And also it was like having a giant bath, lovely! Then I started feeling faint and light headed so they got me out incase I fainted and gave me gas and air. I then almost fell over and they got me onto the bed.


I was quite high on the gas and air, I forgot that me and Felix were getting married and also I told him he had 3 eyes! Lol.


By 11:30am (ish) I was ready to push and kept pushing and screaming down the gas and air tube. Felix said I sounded like Godzilla!


At 1:05pm out popped Lily with a full head of dark hair (explaining my terrible heartburn!)


Some other small bits, when her head was coming down the birth canel I had a feel, it felt weird! Lol.


But she's now here, and barely in her size 1's and newborn clothes, and im so happy and I love her so much


Totally worth all the pain! (which I forgot about now anyway..)


Oh, and I tore into the muscle, not to bad though and have stiches. Which dont hurt weirdly

I keep forgetting to add bits! As the maternity centre was new, i was the only one giving birth in there, so pretty much had my own private room all day Woohoo!

Kavinam

Erin Niamh born on 08/02/2010 @ 7:50am weighing 5lbs 15oz.(4 days early)

I woke up on the friday morning with mild pains. Had a show at about 9.30am and started to get myself prepared for what was coming (had not shaved my legs in forever as i could not reach proper. lol) the pains were coming every 10 to 15 min but were bearable. Kept having more show throughout the day. Pains started to get closer together at about 1am and by 6am they were 5min apart.

Phoned the labour ward at this stage and after alot of questions was told to come in to get examined. OH and i arrived and i was examined only to be told thst i was 2cm dilated and that i should go home and take a bath and not to expect anything to happen for at least a week as it was my first baby.

Went home and got a sleep and when i woke up all the pains had stopped. Pains came back again at about 3am but were still bearable. Went to my mum house for my sunday dinner and by the time it was over i was doubled over in pain. The pains were coming every 3min and were very short and sharp. Phoned the labour ward at 7pm and was told to come in to be examined again if i could not cope.

Waited till shift change at the hospital (8pm) to go in as i did not want to been seen by the midwife i spoke to on the phone. Another very painful internal and still only 2cm.

Taken to antenatal ward and put in a nice hot bath and given 2 co-codomal. OH was told to go home at 10pm and as i was walking him to the door i started to throw up. The pains then started at the top of my bump and were really bad. Midwife thought i had full blown pre eclampsia as i had high blood pressure and was told to prepare myself for a section. Blood work all came back fine so was allowed to labour on my own.

Was given another internal at 1.30am and i was 4cm. The midwife phoned my OH and took me to the labour ward where i got lovely gas and air. The contractions were really short and sharp and still every 3min. Labour ward said it would be a long night and did not expect erin to be born before they finished at 8am.

Most of this is a blur from here on as i slept a bit and was wiped out from drugs. Got pethadine at about 3am, didn't seem to do anything. Asked for an epidural, had another internal and was told i was 6cm so could have one. Midwife was putting the clip on the baby's head and broke my waters in the process, the feeling of relief was unbelievable. The anethist arrived at 7am to do epidural and as he was numbing the area i started to push, examined internally again and had gone from 6cm to 9 cm in 5min. Did not get the epidural in the end as i could not sit still with the urge to push. 50 min of pushing and my proud OH told me that we had a daughter. placenta came 3min later. Erin was put on my chest while i was given my 1stitch and after she was weighed she latched on for a breast feed.

Erin is now 4weeks old and is weighing 7lbs3oz and is still breast feeding really well.
I had a wonderful birth with my daughter but not a nice labour. I would do it all again for my little princess..