Off to bed we go. Dave fell asleep straight away, and I wasn't far behind. At midnight I turned over to go to the loo, and thought I'd wet myself, before waking up and realising it was my waters! I LEPT out of bed, and they kept coming all over the floor all the way to the loo.
I sat on the loo for a while, wondering what I do next! I called the delivery suite for advice, and they said due to my GBS I had to go in for monitoring. So now, I have to wake Dave....this was far more difficult than it should be, and then he didn't believe me for a while. I woke him up with such a shock he got cramp in his leg, and couldn't get out of bed! He then needed a wee, then a poo, then we hadn't finished packing the bags - drama! 20 mins later and we were at the hospital. I had to wait til just before 1am for them to take me on to the suite cos they were so busy. Just after 1 contractions started. They're fun...they do start like period cramps, but end a lot worse!
They kept monitoring the babies heartbeat, which got increasingly difficult, only because you were coming down so far and we're still moving.
At first (and second) check I was 3cm. On the second check I was in a fair bit more pain. I asked Dave to find a midwife to discuss pain relief. The mw that came was "fun" s bit of a matron, but explained things ok. I explained that I wanted to start with the least restrictive, so we went for a bath. This was actually quite horrific! I didn't fit in the bath well, and then it was sooooo long I could sit up in it. I also couldn't lie down cos of the pain. I didn't stay in long before going back to the room. I then started gas and air. This was not how I thought it was going to be. It did make me feel a bit drunk, but didn't overly take the pain away. I think for me it was much more a diversion tactic - try to concentrate on that not my pains. Also, it made me horrifically sick. I asked Dave to get me a hat (as I couldn't get off the bed), but by the time he came back I had already vomited all over myself....and it kept coming...
The midwife kept telling me to move around, but I was so tired I couldn't! Then they couldn't find your heartbeat. They decided to put a clip on your head - again, this is not fun! It's like they're checking how dilated I am, but then have to push the tape in and try to get it on your head! Ouch! At least they combined it with checking how dilated I am :) eventually I was 5 cm and they moved me to the delivery suite!
I had a new mw now, Stacey, who was a lot nicer. She was my age, and caring and kind & explained everything really well. There was also a trainee Dr there, who was relatively quiet, but nice all the same.
Again I began to puke, and I asked for more pain relief. At this point I had my cannular out in for the antibiotics. Stacey did a good job, cos it didn't hurt! I vaguely remember Dave telling her I don't like needles :)
I had a shot of anti sickness & pethidine. I'm pretty sure this is when my eyes closed....I don't remember opening them again properly until you were born.
Things continued as they had done, but the contractions were getting worse. Dave managed to have 10m kip, I remember seeing him, and thinking "you're really tired".
As things got closer I remember thinking "I need to push" but not doing so. It was more & more painful, and I actually asked for an epidural! I kept saying to Dave "I can't do this". He was so good in encouraging me and reassuring me. As it happened I couldn't have an epidural, as the ward was so busy there wasn't a Dr that could come immediately, and I could have more pethidine in 15 mins. So I took that option. In hindsight that it was too late, as I already needed to push. I feel that the last shot didn't do as much as the first. I started a slow gentle push....that wasn't going to cut it!
Anyway, Stacey encouraged me to get off the bed. I was now leant over it, with Dave leant over the other side holding my arms and encouraging me. I was pushing, and Stacey said she could see your head & that you had lots of dark hair! I was so scared at this point. Due to the way I was standing it felt like I was going to rip forwards. Stacey was getting firm with me saying I had to push because your head was almost out, and I could hurt you if I didn't.
Then you got stuck. Stacey asked Dave to press the panic button. I can remember the room filling with people instantly, and hearing a man's voice behind me (the first consultant we saw). It turns out you had your hand up by your head. Stacey un hooked it and after a few more pushes you were out!
Stacey brought you up between my legs, and told me to tell Dave what you were. I told him you were a girl :) they then wooshed you to the other side of the room to check that it was just your hand that was stuck, and if your arm was ok. You had a slight bruise on your shoulder (left). They had cut the cord, but had done it long. Dave then trimmed it, they wrapped you in a towel, and handed you to Dave.
Perfection!
