This being my third pregnancy, I was sure I was going to go early. The pregnancy had been pretty straight forward, but I'd put on heaps more weight than I had with my two previous pregnancies - and I was struggling! I really didn't want to make it to my due date!
But, my due date came and went, and here I was, faced with my 41wk appointment at the Birth Centre. I'd had no pre-labour, no show or ANYTHING to suggest that baby Bruce was on his way, but I decided that this was the day I wanted to give birth. It was time. (My 4yr old DD had named him Bruce not long after we found out we were expecting a boy, and the name stuck!)
DH and my student midwife were at the appointment with me, it was about 10am. My midwife "N" asked if I wanted a stretch & sweep - and I said yes - I was so READY to have this baby, I thought it was worth a go. When the midwife examined me she found I was already about 3cms dilated! Woohoo! She did the sweep and I told her I'd hopefully be back in a few hours to give birth
I told DH not to bother going back to work, so we went home and I read the paper and jumped on FB to pass the time before my parents brought DD#1 & DD#2 back from their little outing while we were out.
The girls got home at about 11:30am, so I hung out with them, then made them lunch. I was starting to get a few little niggles, so when they were settled eating I decided to go and have a shower to relax. The niggles started coming every 5 mins! Yay! Im going to have a baby!
The water was soooooo lovely, but I knew it was time to get out of the shower, and see if labour was really going to start. DH had put a contraction timer app on his phone so I started timing them. I was reading a book, and having little contractions every 5-7 mins, for about 30-40 seconds. The iphone said I was still in "pre-labour", but as I'd had a very quick birth with DD#2 (birth story here) I decided not to wait too long before going in to the hospital. I was still very clear minded, and it wasn't painful yet, so I kept reading for the next half hour or so. All of a sudden my eyes wanted to close, and my body was telling me to go to sleep, so I put the book down and dozed for about an hour. During this time I kept hitting the iphone every time I had a contraction - but they had slowed right down, and during the hour I only had about 5 (and they still weren't lasting for longer than 40 seconds)
At about 2pm I got up and went to see how the girls were going - they were fine just hanging out with mum & dad so I went back into my room, not wanting to tell mum I thought I was going into labour. At about 2:30pm I decided it was time to get ready to go to hospital. I wanted to go before the haze of full on labour had taken hold (like what happened with DD#2!) and I was prepared to walk around for hours if established labour hadn't started yet - rather than wait too late. I explained to the girls that I was going into the hospital, and that hopefully I would be having their brother soon. Mum looked a bit surprised, but I think she was relieved it wouldn't end up like last time - having to call an ambulance!
We were in the car and I called the midwives to tell them I wanted to come in. My midwife "C" said that I should wait a bit longer, as I wasn't sounding like I was ready. I said ok, even though we were still driving there - like I said, I was prepared to walk around the park if need be! I messaged my student midwife and said we'd be going in soon, and that I would let her know. It was about 2:50pm. We drove to a park just around the corner from the hospital, but by the time we got there I was having to breathe through the contractions and they were coming every few minutes. I called "C" back and said "Im coming in NOW!" Messaged my SMW and drove round the corner to the hospy.
By the time we got there (it was about 3:30pm) my contractions were on top of each other, and I was feeling the familiar haze of transition. We got a park really close to the door, but by now I had to stop about every 10 steps to squat down during contractions. My waters broke during a contraction right out the front of the hospital - and there were people everywhere! (hello - shift change!) a staff member came over asking if we were ok and do I need a wheelchair? YES!! We got the wheelchair and left a lovely hospy volunteer with my puddle out the front.
We made it to the birth centre and my room was ready. There was a moment when I was just paralized - all I wanted was to get out of the wheelchair, but I couldn't move! I yelled at DH to get me out, and he helped me onto the floor, kneeling on a beanbag. "C" and "N" were there waiting for me, and started filling the bath. With my next contraction my body started pushing - "C" got my pants off and stopped the bath - this baby was coming! "N" was such a lovely reassuring presence, she had been at DD#2's birth too, and she calmed me down.
DH was great - kept telling me to relax, as last time I totally forgot to and I ended up tearing. I told him to remind me - especially as bub was being born to relax! He reminded me so much I wanted to punch him in the face at one point! Lol
"N" had to leave, but then SMW arrived and then the head started crowning. Another midwife came in and grabbed our camera - I didn't even realise at the time - but she got the most incredible photos of DS being born!
At 4:17pm DS came out - with his hand by his face, and he cried. He was passed to me, and he was perfect!
I was sitting there looking at my beautiful baby, but I was really uncomfortable - I wasn't feeling that great relief that you normally do after giving birth - I still felt really 'heavy' downstairs, and found it hard to get comfortable or to move. I had planned on a natural third stage, but the placenta just didn't seem to want to come out! We waited for about half an hour, and they even sat me on a birth stool - but nothing happened, so they gave me the synto injection. Within minutes the placenta slipped out and I finally felt that great relief! Now I could enjoy my baby boy!
I got checked over and only a small graze and tiny tear! Woohoo! All that relaxing had paid off! Our precious boy was finally here. We were able to leave that night - 6 hours after he was born.
People ask me why I didn't want to stay overnight in the hospital - but it was the most wonderful thing, waking up in my own bed - and having DD come in to meet her new brother first thing in the morning
Aaaaaw, congratulations on the birth of your precious son. I'm glad your waters didn't break on the couch this time! Thanks for sharing your birth journey. xx
The birth of my son LL - 19/10/11
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