MSE Pregnancy Club Birth Stories

sunshine_1988

Hi All

This thread is great, we are planning a baby and its safe to say I am a complete wimp!! Its great to see so many different stories though, thanks for sharing them.

bellabear_2

Birth story of Eloise Maria, born 19th April 2011 1:50 weighing 8lb 10ounces. Due 7th April

Having tried most eviction methods, at 11 days overdue, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that I was probably going to be induced on the 20th. So went to sleep on Monday 18th, feeling a bit off colour, assumed that I'd had a bit too much sun. When I was falling asleep though, felt some tiny tightenings across the front of my stomach, but as I'd had random cramps/tightenings for the last couple of weeks I just ignored them. (I'd also declared to DH that day that I wasn't going to try any other eviction methods and that she'll come when she's ready, just hopefully before the induction 2 days later!).

At about 1:15am I woke up (I think I was woken up by a contraction), went to the loo and lost my plug (and some diawoo), a few minutes later, I felt what I thought was a contraction, went and sat downstairs for a bit until I was sure that they were regular. When they started coming every 10minutes (about half an hour later), I called the co-ordinator to see how often they wanted the contractions before I came down (didn't want to leave it too late as the midwife led unit was a good 25minutes away). The co-ordinator said that the midwife-led unit wouldn't be opening again for new patients until 8am as they were short-staffed, meaning that I would need to go to the local hospital instead (unless labour developed slowly enough to leave it until 8am). At this point, I woke up DH to let him know what was happening-to which he replied 'I was asleep?!' (duh!), and then realised what I'd just told him lol. He then got up, hooked me upto the tens machine and did a few last jobs. I then sent him back to bed, so I could wait for the contractions to speed up.

At about 5:45am, I thought it would be a good plan to put a maternity pad in, just in case! 5 minutes later, my waters went! It wasn't as dramatic as the films, it just felt like I'd wet myself a bit! (The waters kept coming over the next few hours at random times). At this point, the contractions were every 5-6 minutes or so. I didn't have any problem with the contractions at this point, just breathing through them and using the tens machine. At 6:30, I called the co-ordinator again to say I was still ok at home and coping ok, and to see if I could wait it out and go straight to the midwife-let unit for 8. The co-ordinator was happy with my breathing, thought I sounded calm enough to go there straight away as another midwife had become available and would meet us there. So I woke DH up and we went straight there, they did a few checks (all ok apart from a slightly high temp) and left us to it. Was thrilled at this point as it looked like my birth plan was planning out (midwife led unit with a birthing pool available). The midwife didn't want to do an internal examination as apparently they could only keep me for a certain time after doing this (as my waters had gone) and they wanted to prolong this as much as possible.

After a few hours or , the contractions were now approx every 3mins and lasting about a minute each and becoming very painful, I was still using the tens machine, but wasn't allowed any pain relief until they knew I was in established labour. I was still trying to breathe through each contraction but was really struggling (and starting to sound like the screamer off of OBEM -or so I thought anyway!). The MW came back to check me again and agreed to do an internal examination. Unfortunately, she couldn't find my cervix (other midwives had struggled while attempting a sweep), this led her and the other mw to think that I was only in the 'latent' stage of labour. She then sent me home for a few hours to 'relax' and let the contractions develop. At this point I couldn't stop crying(&screaming when contracting!) as I was in agony, but they still told me to go home, have a bath and some paracetamol.

After a long journey home (or so it seemed), I got home and got straight in the bath (having to pause every 2 minutes to do anything now as I found the contractions crippling), the bath didn't help and if anything, I felt dizzy from the heat too, so got out after about 5 minutes. DH put some towels on the bed and I tried laying in different positions to get comfortable, this just didn't happen and I was now having pains in my back when contracting (I also wasn't getting any relief between contractions at this point, it seemed almost constant). After 2 phone calls (and the co-ordinator telling me 'your still only in early labour, your not coping very well are you??'!:mad:), they agreed to see me again at the midwife-led unit, and that they would transfer me to the hospital if the same thing happened again. A few minutes later I had to get DH to call them back and tell them that we were going straight to the hospital as I needed pain relief! Birth plan had gone out the window at this point as I had previously wanted a water birth (apparently water doesn't help me!) with just g&a, now I wanted an epidural!

The hospital is only 7minutes away from home, so once we got there, DH parked up (in the multi-storey carpark for some reason lol:rotfl:)and we started walking into the hospital, it was taking ages as I was having to stop (well, collapse on the floor and contract!) so frequently, nearly constantly at this point, one lady offered to go and get me a wheelchair, but then DH went instead and she stayed and rubbed my back She said it didn't sound like I had long to go, I just remember thinking 'if only you knew!', DH rushed me into maternity admissions, 2minutes later I was examined-9 cm dilated!!

My new midwife then introduced me to my new best friend-G&A, I got very attached to this and consequently felt p*ssed for about 3 hours after! The next bits a bit of a blur, I remember being a bit scared to push, to the point that the midwife said ‘enough g&a-next contraction, let go of it and just push!’. Apparently at this point, the midwife from the midwife led unit turned up and tried to take over from the new midwife-new midwife was not having any of this! Within 50 minutes of arriving at the hospital, Eloise arrived into the world Should also say, despite her size, I didn't have any cuts or tears! Apparently I mainly breathed her out lol, then pushed for 10 minutes! If it helps anyone, I had been drinking (some) RLT and tried a pereneal (sp) massage once but felt so uncomfortable after, I didn't do it again.

For a 12.5 hour long labour that was a pretty long birth story! Loving every minute of being a mummy and the labour pain was totally worth it :j

vroombroom

Well on Sunday 1st May, 11 days over due and fed up, I had mild contractions throughout the day. I tried to ignore them as I was due to be induced the following day.

Around 9pm I had a bath and suddenly the contractions got worse. I went to bed about 10pm but the pain was so intense. I phoned the labour ward and they said to wait until the contractions were between 3-4 mins apart, lasting 45 seconds. At 12pm my waters broke (in bed gross) and the hosp said to leave it an hour as the contractions weren't quite with what they were saying.

By 1:15am I was on gas and air, in agony. The midwife examined me and I was 7cm dilated. Hardcore or what? I begged for an epidural but there was no consultant about to administer it, so I had diamorphine instead.

I tried pushing for soooo long and at 7:30am, tired and exhausted, the midwife said she'd get a consultant to examine me as the baby wasn't moving any further.

By 8am I was wheeled into an operating room where, after being with the consultant, they decided to try forceps or C section if the forceps didnt work due to the baby being high up. The pleasure when they put the anasthetic in my back was immense, I couldnt feel anything from the waist down and I was all floaty light from the gas and air:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

After 4 pushes (with the aid of the midwife feeling for my contractions and some forceps) at 8:47 I gave birth to a 8lb 8.5oz bruiser we have named Ethan Arthur. He is beautiful and I can't stop staring at him x

We came home this afternoon, I am stitche up and in agony but all my SPD pains have gone:D

nic2075

By Saturday the 30th I was 2 days overdue. I'd went for a really long walk with the family during the day.
At 9pm I started getting light tightening coming every 4 mins,they weren't too bad so I went to bed.

I woke on Sunday morning with definate contractions. They were every 8 minutes but only 30 seconds and not too sore.
I spent the rest of the day doing stuff and making the Sunday dinner. By 5pm they were getting pretty sore so I called the hospital and they told us to come in. We arrived at hospital at 6:15pm.
When I got there they didn't want to examine me as she thought I was around 2 cm.
I bounced on a ball and walked around.
Around 8pm they were getting too much so I asked to be examined,I was 6cm!so I got to go the delivery room and get G&A.
The room was nice and I got to have my relaxation cd on.
The contractions were intense and close together. By 10pm I felt the urge to push,she quickly examined me and said I was a good 9 cm.she told me to follow my body. So with around 5/6 pushes and 20 mins later Isla Elizabeth Ann was born weighing 8lb5oz.
I didn't need any stitches and got home the next day.
Isla is beautiful and has so far been contended and a pleasure to have.

IceCreamDreams

This thread is absolutely brilliant - over the past week I have read every single post on here (all 10 pages!) and found the experiences, information and opinions to be invaluable.

I am now 36 weeks and due on 6th of June 2011 with my first baby - I shall try and post my story up as soon as I can after baby's arrival!

ICD. x

Evansangel

Alfie Edward Valentine, Born 12th May 2011 weighing 8lbs 12 ozs.

I had been having on and off contractions since 36wks (ish), they bloody hurt.
At 38+2 i had a Membrane sweep and was 3cm dilated, went home and had almost regular contractions for most of the night. But like the rest they stopped and nothing happened.

I had another sweep when i was 39+2 and was very dissapointed to find i was only 0.5cm dilated, but i was 50% effaced

I had another sweep booked for when i was 39+5 at 11:30am.

On Wednesday 11th we all went to bed at 10pm and my DHs Asthma was quite bad, so i jokingly said that tonight would be the worst night i could go into labour because he'd probably have an asthma attack.

I fell asleep and was woken by this sudden pain at 12:30am, i went downstairs and they pains were coming every 6 minutes and were so painful. I called the special labour telephone number and it went to a call centre! So i called the hospital and was told it was a pager and i had to leave a message for the midwife to call me back.

So i left the message and got a call back, only to be told that the Maternity Unit had no Midwives there and i may have to go to the hospital. I must of sounded really dissapointed because she said she would see if she could find a midwife and would call me back.

5 minutes later i get a call back and was told to go straight to the maternity unit as im in strong labour, if i didn't go straight away i may have to call an ambulance..

We got to the maternity unit at 2:30am (i think) and i was 5cm dilated, i got into the birth pool and it was lovely, the midwife just left us to it and only checked the HB every so often. After a while she said it would be soon because the head was already out.
Then with the next contraction at 4:10am his body came out.

I suddenly grabbed him out of the water (i must of panicked) and i snapped the cord and there was blood all over my boob :eek:

She clamped the cord and gave him to DH so i could get out, the placenta came quickly after i had the jab.

After that i felt really sick and just out of it. I was just laying there and didn't really want to hold him. I had some toast and after eating 1 triangle i suddenly started being sick and shaking loads. The MW said i may of gone into shock because of how quick it happened, but i was then fine.

I had a small 1cm tear and had it stitched up and it seems fine at the moment. I also had painkillers because i hit my back on the step in the pool whilst she was checking the HB.

This is him


Here is my first birth story with Lily if you fancy a read

Forgot to add: When we got to the unit, the doors were locked and i buzzed the security guard and he wouldn't let us in! He kept saying "Cant hear you" when we were talking.
But then the Midwife came out to let us in, phew!

twinklie

OMG Evansangel! As if you've had your second already!! I remember you joining the TTC thread. Congrats. And keep these stories coming guys. x

Teenie_D

Baby Jamie born 4th May 2011 weighing 8lb 13 oz (a nice surprise as DD was 9lb 6oz so expected another biggie!!)

This was my second pregnancy and from day one I said I wanted to avoid an induction as far as possible. I was induced with my DD but it took nearly a week of trying before she finally made an appearance, I really didn't want to go through all that stress again.

I was due on Saturday 23rd April but unfortunately it came and went without a thing except a few tightenings. I started rubbing clary sage oil on my tummy to see if it would get things going and using my birthing ball and the midwife booked me in for a sweep at 40 + 4, unfortunately she couldn't get to my cervix and I was absolutely gutted I was already booked in for an induction on Wednesday 4th May but was hoping to start myself but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

At 8.30am we made our way up to the hospital where I was met my a really lovely student midwife called Sarah, she was going to be looking after me and was such a nice down to earth girl. They set up the tracer for contractions and babys heartbeat and then another (very lovely) midwife came with the prostin gel. She asked if it was ok if she checked me first then if Sarah could after to see how my cervix was doing, I was happy with this and they found that my cervix was very soft but still closed. I was gutted as I had visions of a long induction again. Nothing much happened for the first few hours and at 4.30pm I was given another dose of prostin when they examined me they found that the outer cervix was open but the inner was still closed again I thought "here we go again"!!

However soon after I was starting to get little niggles but from previous experience knew these could be false contractions so never got my hopes up. About 6pm they started getting stronger and felt I needed the TENS machine, it took the edge off but tbh I didn't find it as useful this time round. Sarah was really good and rubbed my back as the contractions got stronger as I never got a break between them. She offered me paracetamol which I took then proceeded to throw up along with my tea , she was so good and kept my hair out the way LOL! Yvonne the other midwife checked me at this point but I still wasn't dilating "this is going to be a very long labour!"

Quite quickly I was in a lot of pain and they checked again at the back of 8pm and I was 2cm's dilated they asked if I wanted morphine, I wasn't sure if I did as i found that it didn't do much with DD but I felt that I needed something. It did take the edge of a wee bit but I was so spaced out Unfortunately there was a shift change I was really hoping to have the same midwifes, especially Sarah so that they could have been there with me right to the end.

At about 9.20pm I started feeling the need to push but I knew there was no way i was ready for it yet but called the midwife (Laura) anyway, she checked and I was 5cm's dilated so pretty good progress in an hour and she said it was the baby coming down which was giving me the pushing feeling. Five minutes later my waters went all over the floor. I just stood there and stared for ages in sodding pyjamas my waters didn't go like that before :rotfl:I then realised I'd better tell someone and DH called again. Laura came and tbh didn't look that impressed and I thought oh god she's pleasant but to be fair she was actually nice after that. She advised that I get straight down to the labour ward due to my past history (dd took a long time to start but a very quick finish). Laura asked if I needed a wheelchair as it is a fair distance to the labour suites but I thought I would just walk, I think she was a bit concerned I would deliver in the corridor!!

Finally after lots of water leakage on the way we got there and I got that lovely gas and air. She checked me again and I was 6cm's dilated so in 20mins i had dilated another cm. I started feeling the strong urge to push at this point but she said I wasn't ready yet, it is the worst feeling when you need to push but you can't. I was put on the tracer again but with every contraction the babys heartbeat was dropping, Laura called in another midwife to monitor it for a while, luckily it stabalised and the other midwife left.

Times are a bit hazy now but it was after 10pm I was checked again and I was about 8cm's dilated and then about 10 mins later I was nearly fully dilated but there was still a bit of cervix attached. Laura said to just push and see what happens as the attached bit might just come away. It was fantastic being able to push freely I started pushing and thanks to the RLT (again) it didn't take much and I could feel the babies head being born, I was really dreading that ouchie burning sensation but it wasn't as bad as I remembered it and I didn't tear this time! Another push and I could feel the rest of the baby being born, he was put straight onto me and the plan was that DH was to cut the cord but all of a sudden Laura cut the cord and he was whisked away. The other midwife was clearing him out and started to bag him after 8 mins the paedetrician was called along with another midwife and 2 mins later he was taken away to the special care baby unit. Both DH and myself were frantic but the doc and midwife were very calm and explained that because my labour and delivery was so quick, he still had mucus in his lungs and was struggling a bit. I had tea and toast and a shower and then we were taken to see him, they said that he was fine but his temperature wasn't stabalising and they had to keep him in the incubator, he still had a bit of mucus in his lungs too.

The times on my discharge sheet for delivery are:

1st stage 1 hr 10mins
2nd stage 5 mins
3rd stage 9 mins

The community midwife who came out afterwards was laughing at the fact that I delivered the baby quicker than the placenta.

A couple of days later he was out and beside me on the ward and breastfeeding well. He is an absolute joy and such a contended wee soul, I am totally in love with him, but that's it for me now!!:D


.

fantafan

So here's how my birth story goes whilst it's fresh in my mind.

After going a week over due I was climbing the walls wanting baby to be born. I was sooooo bored and had done all the nesting, resting etc etc and if one more person told me to sleep whilst I could I would have gladly snapped at them.

Background for me is I'm 34, this was my first and have had a trouble-free pregnancy other than being a bit of a "spotter" and a scare at 5+6 with a clot/bleed. We tried for 8 months to conceive and thanks to those on the TTC thread for keeping me sane through that.

Labour day...Monday. Was feeling tickety boo and bored. Had been texted by the midwife to say she would come to house and do a sweep on the Tuesday 17th to see if that would wake baby up. The week before I was offered one but I declined as I figured he was only a few hours overdue so why go through it. I still think this was the right decision in spite of it all.

4.30pm (ish), I was on the loo and felt the "show" expelled and noticed blood tinges in the pan. I wasn't sure but have a friend and neighbour who's a midwife so popped in to chat. Was calm and everything and sat around relaxed telling her my plans for the night and she was saying tomorrow you will have a baby. At this point my waters hadn't gone. After 20 mins, I left as she had a phone call and went back across the road but felt a trickle half way down the drive. Her partner was coming up the drive so I said please tell J that my waters have now gone. Had he passed this message on she would have come over and done a check on me and a listen in and palp but hey, that's blokes for you.

TMI bits coming so look away!

So I rang the delivery suite at 6pm and they said they were busy and to call back...I suggested 10pm as I was so calm but they said 8pm so I finished my chicken curry tea, ran a bath and relaxed. Started timing contractions after bath as didn't want to get iPhone wet! Can't remember the exact order but I emptied my bowels :eek: and had heaved the entire contents of my stomach whilst on the loo....difficult choice but glad I opted for get off loo and vomit as there was more coming from that end! Cleaned bathroom...ooooo, had the bath after chucking so must have been that way around.

Rang delivery suite at 8pm and they said to come in and I was delighted when I told them I wanted a water birth and they said that it was free despite being so busy so they put my name on it. Told DH to get act together so he jumped in the shower and we set off and got there for 8.45pm. Had a couple of contractions in the car but nothing major. I was expecting them in my back but they were in bump only but at that point just took it. Got to hospital, got out of sorts having contractions whilst not remembering which way to go but got there and put in to room. Out comes the digi radio, classic FM and I started rocking and timing the contractions...DH changing to Planet Rock resulted in me snapping at him to say the least! :mad: Midwife kept coming back and saying she was busy with another lady but she would come and check me out shortly. Turns out there was a 1cm screamer in another room.

Contractions got to the point of every 2mins lasting just over a minute and I still hadn't been checked and she'd said she would come and monitor baby and make sure it was alright and that she wouldn't send me home with it being my first. I did say at this point to her that I wasn't a wuss and these did hurt. A short time later she sent in another midwife and I said there was no way I was able to get on the bed as I couldn't sit, stand lean as I was so uncomfortable. DH was massaging my lower back every time I had a contractions and I wiggled my hips "W", "figure 8", "pelvic thrust" and all that. One minute I was hot, the next cold. This new midwife said that she would give me gas and air because I'd started saying I must need an epidural as it hurt. So gas and air. Such a beautiful thing (ooo, remembered I'd chucked some more and done a pee sample....white bits in it were vermix so a deffo sign of labour).

Other midwife returned and seeing I'd managed to get some drugs thought oops, better check her now. So I got on the bed and being a bit gas and aired she asked DH to take off leggins and knickers....which included the pad (that was my cringe moment). :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: He didn't even want to be down the business end or cut the cord let alone take a filled maxi pad n knickers off his wife...that said he put them straight in the bin!

So, the "they put the whole hand up there" incident occured and she said well done I was 7cm. :T I jokingly held my fist up to my mouth and did the "get me rub on my shoulder I am ace manouvre".:rotfl: That was short-lived when she said "but, I need to check but I think it's breech, let me get a consultant and scan". So teary me came down with a thud as midwife and DH discussed what the options were. I knew. By this time it was about 10pm.

Everything went so fast from then on. Gas and air through contractions, scanned and confirmed baby's bum not head was engaged (and thinking about it my 26 week private scan was that way around too) so head was under ribs, feet to the side of head....very flexible my baby. Consultants, anesthatists (sp?) came and explained what they'd do, sign here to disclaim etc etc got gowned up and wheeled in to theatre, DH got scrubs on and away we went. I told them I needed a wee and they said I can't as I had a catheter in - old habbits die hard, it was a just in case factor. :rotfl: Lots of people fussing, off my face whilst they did spinal and then once that took effect I was laid back down and looked up at DH whilst they did their biz. As my birth plan hadn't gone to plan I said whilst stoned that I wanted DH to tell me the sex of the baby so I thought I'd get that at least but with 10 minutes of "you'll feel like a washing machine in your stomach but not pain" they present a baby above the screen. Immediately I see a set of balls so know it's a boy before they spread his legs resulting in DH telling me it's a boy and I got splattered with blood on my face....echoes of 28 weeks later movie! 23.50 I saw my baby for the first time.

He gurgled when he came out, didn't cry and when they held him up was so alert and looking around. Aparently labour gives baby an adrenalin rush so he knew he was on his way out whatever. I had him swaddled in a towel, put on my chest and held him. Then I started to feel a bit weak and wasn't confident him being on my chest so asked DH to take him. Then I said I was gonna be sick. Anesthatist said I couldn't be and started to frantically get the drip bag squeezed but my body had other ideas and once again I was sick but cardboard bowels caught it. DH was advised that they'd take him and baby back to room whilst they tidied my up. Weirdly I hadn't realised at this stage that the reason for concern for not being sick was because I was still open so they didn't really want my stomach convulsing whilst open - eughh! Best not to think about that bit.

I was tidied up, wheeled back to our room and we spent the next 5 hours in a daze and wonderment. Got the tea and toast brought after a while and just had to wait there til drip had gone through.

5.30am ish got wheeled up to the ward and DH chucked out on to the streets. Slept like a log as I was the only one in the room unlike the nights to follow!

Recovery....was superb. A bit too superb as the planned c-sectioners were probably ready to kill me as I was up walking before then, didn't moan about not being able to go home, or shower on the day I was bed-bound. Feeling fab an almost refusing pain relief as it didn't hurt. Scar is neat, disolving stitches. I didn't moan about not having a shower unlike my neighbours and I wouldn't mind but I actually had laboured so I would recommend the bath during and make yourself feel pretty as you never know what will happen at hospital Breast feeding just about turning in to enjoyable at day 9 now and uterus shrinking back at an amazing rate. I'm back to pre-pregnancy weight and flat stomach not too long off. Managed to not get stretch marks despite people saying ooo, as you're overdue you could get them any day. No purple belly line. :j Only issue now is headaches for me so I bought some 4head yesterday which seems to be helping. I know I am more tense and it's only due to breastfeeding anxiety and the frustration of being dependent on DH but the pros outweigh the cons. I've noticed I grit my teeth now so trying to stop doing that. DH is doing most cooking, all washing, lifting.:T:T:beer: He's never done any of that and whilst I felt so fit I could drive back from hospital on day 2, I know I need to milk it a bit!:rotfl:

:AMyles is sleeping and feeding really well. Such a good baby and in my heart I believe it's because we are relaxed about him. I drummed until I was 30 weeks pregnant and believe me they are loud drums. I did have a great pregnancy too though and am "older" at 34. He gets noise constantly other than in bedroom at night so during the day telly is on and we talk, empty dishwasher etc etc. I even have to wake him for feeds. Growth spurt due day 10 so lets see if I'm still smiling then. Don't get me wrong, it's not the easiest to breastfeed when it's all new to you. I'd had 2 massive teary nights in the hospital where he wouldn't latch on, cried til he had nearly as many tears as me and had the last night so sleepless due to Shrek across the room from me who burped, farted, moved her bed, dropped things constantly that I would have gladly stabbed her to death so the first week is a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm just glad I've had DH with me ALL the way so far as he is a wonderful dad. Should I have done it sooner? Maybe but I wouldn't have the baby I have now and he really is too perfect I ache at just the thought of his existence.:A

VBAC next time for me as labour was 7cm NO pain relief. It isn't always as it looks on telly. I wanted to be the lady from the pool on OBEM looking amazing so I'd done my hair, nails, lala etc in prep. Turns I was the Welsh one saying "I've just had a baby I have".

Good luck girls if you haven't had your babies yet. Life just gets better when they are here. Sorry for the waffle but hope it helps someone:T

GarnetLady

Baby Amy - 21st May, 5.20am, 6lbs 11ozs.

This is going to be rather long I’m afraid!

Story starts when I was 37+3, I was getting ready to go to the hairdressers and I nipped to the loo before I left. Was sitting on the loo when I felt a gush, looked and saw lots of blood and I had some clots too. While trying not to panic, I phoned maternity triage who told me to come in, then my husband at work to meet me there. My MIL had been going to run me to the hairdressers and she took me to the hospital. Was starting to get really scared/panicky in the car, lessened slightly by the fact bump was kicking away still.

Got to the hospital and they put me on a trace and did other checks which showed all was okay with the baby. Then we had to wait for the doctor who did internal and found that I was 2 cms dilated. At this point she decided that they would keep me in and break my waters to induce labour as baby was safer out than in.

Only problem was that maternity was crazily busy, so was sent to a ward to wait for a bed which they reckoned I would get the next morning. The woman in the next bed to me was 8 cms dilated but there were no delivery suites - she was first on the list for one and I was second. It was so busy though that I was still there at 10pm the next night. Baby and I were monitored off and on throughout the day and thankfully she was really happy.

Hospital was terrible though, got no sleep as it was just so noisy and on the second night of being told I wouldn't get a bed I asked to go home to sleep, only for a narky midwife to tell me it was pointless as you get tired in labour and with a newborn anyway, and that the doctor would see me at some point but ‘had actual sick people to see first’. I was extremely upset by this and very angry.

There was a shift change just after this and I then saw a lovely midwife and doctor (the same one who had me admitted) who understood completely, and who had come to tell me that they finally had a bed in the labour ward. So DH and I were taken down and left to sleep in delivery room for about 5 hours.

Midwife (who really was a madwife!) came in the next morning and got me all set up for the induction. She broke my waters on the third try and attached a clip to Amy's head at about 10am. Contractions didn't start though, so got put on the drip. The drip was working a little too well after a while and I was getting 6 contractions in 10 mins, so second shift midwife had to keep turning it back down.

It started to get too painful for me so I started the gas and air at about 4pm, which I thought I wasn’t going to manage as the taste was horrible to start with, but I persevered.

My next check showed I was only 4 cms dilated when they expected it to be more like 6, so the drip was turned back up.

The pain was again getting too much, not helped by the fact the peak of the contraction was so close to the beginning that the G&A didn‘t always have time to work, so I had the first of 2 shots of diamorphine which really zoned me out, apparently I was rambling some really weird stuff.

So it all gets rather hazy for me from here but apparently the drip was turned up full, so no wonder I was struggling with the pain. Then I was told after the second shot of diamorphine I would need a section, as the it had sent Amy to sleep and she didn't want to wake up despite the lucozade I‘d had. They got me into a gown while they were waiting for the doctor and at that point I was violently sick, and that thankfully got her moving, so it was decided I didn't need a section after all. The doctor checked me and I was dilating but still rather slowly.

Like I say it's all hazy, but I can remember falling asleep for a few seconds then waking for contractions and breathing like I had the G&A but it was next to me on the bed!

I was finally ready to start pushing just before 4am, but unfortunately Amy had her hand up at her face and she got a little stuck. Was told I had an hour to push before they would want to intervene. I was really shattered and pushing was difficult and I took a dislike to the last midwife as she kept telling me I wasn’t pushing hard enough on the second and third push of the contraction, but the peak was right at the beginning and I was exhausted, so really was doing my best.

After an hour they were talking about forceps, but I refused, and anyway Amy was still okay and not in distress. Then they wanted to give me an episiotomy and I refused that too, although they put in some local anaesthetic just in case. Midwife actually went and got the sister to try and persuade me, but I’m a stubborn mare!

The midwife was stretching me to help Amy’s head come out (ouch!), and finally after an hour and a half she arrived, 2 weeks and a day early.

I felt her head before just she came out and afterwards she was on my chest for about an hour before Daddy gave her her first feed. I was so tired that I kept falling asleep. Then when the placenta came away, I had a post partum haemorrhage, losing 1 litre of blood. Again I felt the gush and they got me on 2 drips while they got it under control and put a catheter in again. Finally they stitched me up as I had a second degree tear (I'm very lucky that the stitches didn’t really bother me, helps I had the catheter for the first 32 hours).

My mum and DH took it in turns all through my 19 hour labour to sit with me and they were amazing. And after saying he wouldn’t cut the cord and would stay up at my head (lol), DH both watched Amy being born and cut the cord.

It was such a scary time with the initial bleed and everything, but she is so worth it!