Firstly, id just like to thank Amanda for updating for me 
it was really last minute so thank you! And thanks to all of you for your lovely messages, they really mean a lot.
So to start from the beginning, things really got going at about 10pm on Monday (my birthday) and my contractions were coming about every 5 minutes, and I was feeling so much pressure low down. I rang the MW and she said it was time for me to come in, so I grabbed the hospital bags and my OH got me and the bags into the car. I was really calm at this point, and I was fine for most of the car journey, but just as we were pulling into the hospital car park I felt so much pressure, and my water broke just as I went to get out of the car. After very uncomfortably waddling to the main entrance, and then being wheelchaired to maternity, I was examined and told that I was 4cm dilated.
I got onto the bed but was finding that I was really restless and couldnt get comfortable at all, so spent a while bent over the bed swaying slightly from side to side, it seemed to help somehow. I started on the gas & air and the MW suggested that I lie down at first, and its a good thing I did because it made me go so light-headed and made me sick a few times, but I soon got used to it.
I was examined again just before 2am and told that I was 5cm dilated. I think I was honestly expecting her to say that I was more like 7 or 8, so I started to get a bit frustrated. I tried to get some sleep, but it just wasnt happening at all and started to consider asking for an epidural, just so that I could get some rest for a while, but I managed to get through with just the gas & air. The next few hours seemed to go really quickly, and by 4am I was 7cm dilated, and it gave me a bit of a boost because I knew it wouldnt be too much longer.
My OH was great, and rubbed my back for what must have been the best part of an hour, and it helped to relax me, but I couldnt believe how often the contractions were coming. I spent a few more hours laid on the bed, and before I knew it it was 7am, I was examined about 10 minutes later and was 9cm dilated. I suddenly got really emotional and burst into tears, I just couldnt believe that my LO was going to be in my arms soon instead of my tummy.
I was examined a few times between 8am & 9am but just couldnt seem to dilate that last 1cm, it was killing me! At about 9.45am I told the MW I felt the urge to push, and as I was fully dilated she told me to start pushing. I remember my OH trying to help me with my breathing, saying breeeathe, breeeeeathe and I just shouted look if you carry on saying that then you wont be f**king breathing never mind me! poor sod
At first, the pushing felt like a relief, but then I got an unimaginable burning pain and the MW told me the head wasnt far from crowning, she had a feel around babys head and looked a bit worried. I cant tell you how I felt in that moment, my heart sank, I was absolutely terrified of what she was about to say. Luckily, she was just a bit worried that babys head was quite big and suggested an episiotomy, as I could end up with extensive tearing otherwise. It was numbed and cut, and I was soon back to pushing...
I then heard my OH say its a boy! He has a willy! And he has your nose! I burst into tears.
His daddy cut his cord, even though through my whole pregnancy he said that hed never ever do it
Charlie John
was born at 10.28am weighing in at 9lbs 1 & ½oz
he was 21 inches long & just absolutely gorgeous!
I wont bore you with the gory details about being stitched & cleaned up
but later on I was so excited to breastfeed Charlie for the first time. Unfortunately I didnt go as well as id hoped, and he just didnt seem to want to latch on at all 
it really upset me, but the MW suggested we just try again a little bit later on, and second time around he latched on straight away
I stayed at the hospital all day Tuesday and overnight, and yesterday morning I was transferred to a birthing centre about 10 minutes from where we live, just to make it easier for my OH to get to us. It was really nice there and it was really quiet, so I had time to relax and rest whenever Charlie was asleep. They said I could stay there for a few days if I wanted to, but this morning I felt up to going home, and we got back early this afternoon.
Luckily, people have been quite good about not bombarding us with visits, and have said theyll pop by in a few days time which is great, as it gives us time to get used to everything. Every time I look at him I still cant quite believe it. I cant put the love I have for him into words
Thanks again for all the messages. I'm just about to put a photo of gorgeous Charlie on my avatar, and i'll add some to the photo gallery when I've had chance to watermark them xx
it was really last minute so thank you! And thanks to all of you for your lovely messages, they really mean a lot.So to start from the beginning, things really got going at about 10pm on Monday (my birthday) and my contractions were coming about every 5 minutes, and I was feeling so much pressure low down. I rang the MW and she said it was time for me to come in, so I grabbed the hospital bags and my OH got me and the bags into the car. I was really calm at this point, and I was fine for most of the car journey, but just as we were pulling into the hospital car park I felt so much pressure, and my water broke just as I went to get out of the car. After very uncomfortably waddling to the main entrance, and then being wheelchaired to maternity, I was examined and told that I was 4cm dilated.
I got onto the bed but was finding that I was really restless and couldnt get comfortable at all, so spent a while bent over the bed swaying slightly from side to side, it seemed to help somehow. I started on the gas & air and the MW suggested that I lie down at first, and its a good thing I did because it made me go so light-headed and made me sick a few times, but I soon got used to it.
I was examined again just before 2am and told that I was 5cm dilated. I think I was honestly expecting her to say that I was more like 7 or 8, so I started to get a bit frustrated. I tried to get some sleep, but it just wasnt happening at all and started to consider asking for an epidural, just so that I could get some rest for a while, but I managed to get through with just the gas & air. The next few hours seemed to go really quickly, and by 4am I was 7cm dilated, and it gave me a bit of a boost because I knew it wouldnt be too much longer.
My OH was great, and rubbed my back for what must have been the best part of an hour, and it helped to relax me, but I couldnt believe how often the contractions were coming. I spent a few more hours laid on the bed, and before I knew it it was 7am, I was examined about 10 minutes later and was 9cm dilated. I suddenly got really emotional and burst into tears, I just couldnt believe that my LO was going to be in my arms soon instead of my tummy.
I was examined a few times between 8am & 9am but just couldnt seem to dilate that last 1cm, it was killing me! At about 9.45am I told the MW I felt the urge to push, and as I was fully dilated she told me to start pushing. I remember my OH trying to help me with my breathing, saying breeeathe, breeeeeathe and I just shouted look if you carry on saying that then you wont be f**king breathing never mind me! poor sod
At first, the pushing felt like a relief, but then I got an unimaginable burning pain and the MW told me the head wasnt far from crowning, she had a feel around babys head and looked a bit worried. I cant tell you how I felt in that moment, my heart sank, I was absolutely terrified of what she was about to say. Luckily, she was just a bit worried that babys head was quite big and suggested an episiotomy, as I could end up with extensive tearing otherwise. It was numbed and cut, and I was soon back to pushing...
I then heard my OH say its a boy! He has a willy! And he has your nose! I burst into tears.
His daddy cut his cord, even though through my whole pregnancy he said that hed never ever do it
Charlie John
was born at 10.28am weighing in at 9lbs 1 & ½oz
he was 21 inches long & just absolutely gorgeous!
I wont bore you with the gory details about being stitched & cleaned up
but later on I was so excited to breastfeed Charlie for the first time. Unfortunately I didnt go as well as id hoped, and he just didnt seem to want to latch on at all it really upset me, but the MW suggested we just try again a little bit later on, and second time around he latched on straight away I stayed at the hospital all day Tuesday and overnight, and yesterday morning I was transferred to a birthing centre about 10 minutes from where we live, just to make it easier for my OH to get to us. It was really nice there and it was really quiet, so I had time to relax and rest whenever Charlie was asleep. They said I could stay there for a few days if I wanted to, but this morning I felt up to going home, and we got back early this afternoon.
Luckily, people have been quite good about not bombarding us with visits, and have said theyll pop by in a few days time which is great, as it gives us time to get used to everything. Every time I look at him I still cant quite believe it. I cant put the love I have for him into words
Thanks again for all the messages. I'm just about to put a photo of gorgeous Charlie on my avatar, and i'll add some to the photo gallery when I've had chance to watermark them xx
Thank YOU for letting me update for you, it was a real pleasure!
