I won’t bore you with all four birth stories 
This is William’s 
Well, where do I start?
William was due on the 13th of Feb, but I’m not known for my babies coming on time (1st induced 7 days late, 2nd 10 days late and 3rd induced 15 days late) so wasn’t really surprised that he didn’t turn up in time.
Had been getting on and off contractions since about a week before I was due, so when I woke up on the Saturday (20th) at 4am with contractions I didn’t really think much of it. They felt quite regular so I timed them and they were coming around every 5 minutes!
I got up at 5 as I was starving hungry Made myself some toast and a cup of tea, put the computer on and just generally pottered about to see if the contractions stopped or carried on. Put contraction master on and they were still coming between every 4 and 7 minutes and lasting around 40 seconds.
I was still very unsure if this was the real thing, so at half 6 I ran myself a bath and let OH know what was happening. He wasn’t impressed as he didn’t get back from work until 1:30 am I told him to go back to sleep as I wasn’t really sure yet.
Anyway, had my bath and contractions were still coming so I was finally convinced it was really happening and I would actually have this baby at home and not have to be induced! Yay, I was soooooo happy!
Got out the bath about 7ish. Charlie and Alice were awake by now, so got them up and did breakfast and stuff. Everything just carried on as normal really for the next couple of hours. Contractions were still only 4-7 minutes apart but definately feeling stronger. By 9:30 am the kids were stressing me out So I got OH up, Charlie was sent to OHs parents (he is a bit excitable and the last thing I needed was him in my face constantly ).
From now on times I’m not sure of as it all got a bit busy! Contractions suddenly started coming every 2-3 minutes. Phoned delivery suite to let them know. The woman on the phone asked if I needed the MW to come and check me, but I said I was fine. So she said she would get her to phone although she was pretty sure I’d need to be checked. She looked up who was on duty and told me it was Sheila. Yay, more good news! She is a lovely, no nonsense MW and also did my HB visit and was fab at helping me sort everything out, so was really pleased she’d be delivering my baby.
So while I was waiting for her to call, I phoned my mum to let her know she was needed(she was gonna watch the kids and be chief tea and coffee maker). Then I swept the floors and cleaned the kitchen as i was totally paranoid that if I stopped doing stuff my contractions would stop Got everything ready upstairs, waterproof sheets on bed, towels out and ready. Made myself a comfy cushioned bit over the bed head to lean on.
MW phoned and asked what was happening, so i filled her in and told her I’d had no show and warers still intact. She asked if I needed her, so I said no, everything was going fine so far…I think! So she asked if I was going to hospital would I go yet, so I said no. MW-’In that case, I’ll carry on with my home calls for now, but phone me as soon as you need me’ . She also asked if it was OK to send the student MW round, so I said yes..the more the merrier!
My mum turned up, couldn’t believe how calm I was…TBH I was getting fed up as things were just not moving on at all! Contractions were still 3 minutes apart, although definately getting stronger. Went for a wee and finally my plug started coming away so knew things were happening.Considered going for a walk, but thought better of it. I decided to go and chill upstairs for a bit and listen to my hypnobirthing CD one last time. So I put that on after a bit of a faff as I couldn’t get the CD player to work Made myself comfy, on my knees leaning over the headboard on the bed. This must have done something as I suddenly felt things shift and definately felt things would hapen soon. Called OH and said I neede the MW to come now. The student turned up then, and timed my contractions for me, then said oh, we need the MW now I think OH had already called though and she turned up within 5 mins.
The student MW was fantastic! She rubbed my back and helped reminding me how to breathe properly and was really calming. My poor OH felt a bit like a spare part by now Now the MW was here I could be examined. Baby was 2/5 engaged, then checked my cervix. Wowzers, already 8cm. I couldn’t believe it as I didn’t really feel in any major discomfort yet. My waters were bulging and MW said they would go any minute.
I let myself just concentrate on breathing from then on. Had my OH fetching me cold flannels as my face was feeling really flushed. It’s amazing what relief a cold flannel on the face gives. OH rubbed my back and everyone just let me get on with things really. I remember hearing the MW talking to the student, saying we would hope to be 10 cm in at least 3 hours time. All I could think was 3 hours!! I can’t do this for that long!!
Then thank goodness I heard her say ‘oh, she’s had a very bloody loss, that means it won’t be long’. Then I suddenly felt very heavy and could feel the need to push. I know from experience not too though and too breathe through as long as I can. Again the student really helped me at this stage and talked me through breathing. I think by now I would have reached for the gas and air without her help.
The next thing I really had to push…nobody had checked me so I wasn’t sure if I should But told them I needed to and MW just calmly said ‘go ahead then, your body knows what to do’ So push I did! The first push my waters went, second push the head was out, and my god did it hurt! I remember shouting at my OH ‘aaargh it really hurts’ and him replying @you should know that by now’ It only lasted seconds though and was a pain soon forgotten.
Was told to breathe slowly and stop pushing, and I really tried but my body just seemed to do it anyway and William plopped out literally MW passed him through my legs, he was very tiny and very blue, but utterly gorgeous. I couldn’t quite believe how quick it all happened. Then felt another plop and that was the placenta…how easy was that?! Second MW turned up then….better late than never I guess Slight tear, but no stitches needed, now that’s a first for me William was born at 13:18 weighing 6lb15. Labour recorded as 2 hours long.
5 minutes later I was propped up in bed with my dignity covered,my OH, my kids, my mum and my OHs parents there and a nice cup of tea…oh, and of course a brand new baby. It felt very surreal but very lovely and can’t wait to do it again
Thanks for reading and sorry it’s a mega essay xxx
