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Thought I'd get this written up whilst things are still fresh in my mind, I'm already starting to forget bits and muddle times etc up so need to get this down.
My second daughter was due on the 29th November 2012. I had gestational hypertension in my previous pregnancy and ended up being induced at 38w, I was determined to have a natural onset to labour this time but my BP started to rise around 35w this time and I had to be admitted to hospital for monitoring on a couple of occasions and I really did think I'd end up being induced again. Luckily my BP returned back to a normal or a much lower range and so I was allowed to go home but my appointments were made weekly for my BP to keep being checked just incase. I reached 39w and was so pleased that I'd made it that far but then also very eager to get things going incase I ended up going over and then having to be induced because of that!
I had a sweep booked in with my consultant at my 40w appt on Mon 26th (I was 39+4) and was really nervous about it. I didn't want it to hurt but I was also scared it wouldn't work and I'd be pregnant forever! The sweep was absolutely fine and didn't hurt at all and I was pleased to find out I was already 1-2cms dilated but my cervix was still very thick and long but the consultant had managed to do the sweep so it was now just a waiting game. I was booked back in for a sweep on my EDD and then if that was unsuccessful and induction for Mon 3rd Dec.
I got home that evening and thought I'd see if I could help the sweep along. I'd had a bit of backache but that died down to nothing so I bounced on my ball for around an hour or so whilst watching TV and moaning to my OH about how I wasn't feeling a thing, the sweep was unsuccessful, I was still going to be pregnant in a fortnight etc etc
you know how it is! I got bored of bouncing so got up to go to the loo and make a drink. That's when I noticed small parts of my plug had started to come away 
I was immediately excited and even ran in to my OH's bathroom to show him! Gross, I know! I got back on that ball and bounced for a further hour whilst sniffing clary sage oil straight out of the aromatherapy bottle. Thought I may as well try everything now, so also did a bit of nipple stimulation too.
We went to bed at around 11pm on Monday night and I fell asleep instantly. I had a pretty good night's sleep but I remember dreaming I was having contractions, it was so strange. At 5.03am I was awoken by a very sharp tightening that started in my lower back and spread across to the bottom of my bump. It wasn't very painful but definitely wasn't a BH either. I was still half asleep but thought I better stay awake incase another one strikes and I need to get my contraction timer app on the go. I started to get my hopes up but also thought I better keep level headed as this may result in nothing. Sure enough, 8 mins later another contraction hit. Again I didn't want to jump ahead with the timer but thought I'll keep my eye on it. Another contraction hit around 8-10mins later. Suddenly I had an almighty need to go to the loo for a ''clear out''. I got up, went to the loo and started timing the contractions. I went in to the front room, watched the TV and started to bounce on my ball some more. The contractions were coming regularly between every 4-10mins and lasting for around 30-50secs. They still weren't very painful still but I think after 50mins or so I started to believe they were the real deal as they were definitely becoming more intense. I went to the toilet again for another clear out and that's when I had my bloody show. I decided to ring L&D just for some info as I was unsure of what to do. My previous labour had been induced so I never got the natural onset and slow build up of contractions. That labour was also under 4 hours long and I was worried I'd have another quick labour and we wouldn't make it to the hospital! The MW I spoke to told me it sounded like early labour and to just continue to time then, once the contractions were so bad I couldn't talk through them anymore it'd be time to go in and get checked.
I bounced on my ball some more and eventually woke my OH up at 7am to tell him I'd been contracting for the past 2hrs. He immediately got up and suggested we get ready, get DD up and dressed and go to the in-law's. They were to take care of DD and the hospital is 10mins from their house. I thought it was too early and didn't particularly want to be contracting badly in front of his mum but it did make sense, so we all got ready, loaded the hospital bags in the car and set off at around 7.30. OH decided to give the M25 a miss and go the M1 and back roads (we were heading in to NW London) and sure enough we got stuck in rush hour traffic 
the car journey increased my contractions, and we made it to MIL's at around 8.45am. My contractions were a lot stronger but I could still talk through them and they were still anywhere between 5-7mins lasting 40-53 secs. Oh & I took a walk around the local park and this seemed to help me contract more, so half an hour later we headed back to the in-law's and OH ran me a bath as the contractions were getting sharper. I sat in the bath for around 30mins and my contractions started coming every 5 mins lasting for 50sec-1min+ so I decided it was time to go in to L&D, even though I could still talk through the contractions.
When we got there luckily it wasn't too busy so the MW agreed to take me in to a delivery suite and check my progress. I was only 2cms and a little bit disappointed but then all of a sudden I started getting lower back ache that was a million times more painful with each contraction. I was pretty much screaming through them
they were coming every couple of mins, and each time I would throw myself on the floor in a crouch or crawl position to help with the pain. In hindsight, I don't actually think this helped lessen the pain but at the time it seemed to be the right thing to do! The MW asked me if I'd like some pethidine but I declined as I had it in my last labour and didn't like it very much.
Just 30 mins later and I was still screaming (or wailing as my OH would tell you!) with each contraction and had accepted some paracetomol that had not helped at all. The MW checked baby's position and said she thought she was laying back to back which would explain the excruciating backache I had. The back pains were so much more worse than the contractions
I begged for her to do another internal as I was sure I had to be more than 2cms but she wasn't keen - she wanted to wait 2hrs+ between each examination. She finally agreed and I was very pleased to hear I was 4-5cms. She asked me if I wanted an epidural to help with the pain and I eagerly accepted the offer. I had originally only wanted to birth with G&A this time but I also hadn't expected to be in so much pain with the baby being back to back, so anything I could do to regain control of myself and the situation I was more than happy to do! An anaesthetist was available straight away so he came in, gave me the chat about the risks/effects etc and then they set to work. I forgot to say I was on G&A up to this point, but it really wasn't helping - especially not for the backache. The anaesthetist asked where the back pain was and I pointed out the area which hurt the most and he agreed baby was back to back and pressing on my spine and nerves, so he also offered me a spinal as he said the epi probably wouldn't take the back pains away. I couldn't have agreed more to anything in my life I don't think 
It was all set up and the spinal instantly started to work, but the anaesthetist explained he had slightly missed the pidural space and the needle was sited in some blood vessels 
he said it still might work but there was no guarantee and the chances were low. He explained that he could take it out and try again but for some reason the chances of getting it sited correctly were now lower because of him missing it the first time 
I was already in a lot less pain so said I would see how this one went and get it resited if needs be.
From here on in things became a bit boring! I was no longer in pain, but wasn't able to move about as I was on the CTG monitor, blood pressure cuff, IV in hand, catheter fitted etc so I just sat on the bed laughing and joking with my OH, the MW, and also the paramedic who was getting some experience on births and the trainee doctor who had asked if they could be there during my labour/birth. The spinal ran out after 1.5hrs and the backache started to creep back but I had the epi topped up and it seemed to be working, although not as efficiently as it was supposed to. I quite liked that though as I was still in pain but it was definitely bearable and I was able to enjoy the whole experience.
I felt a lot of pressure by 4pm and told the MW I needed to be examined and she agreed to. I was now 8cms and she broke my waters for me. The contractions became a lot more frequent and stronger and I kept asking and asking to be checked but she refused to do so until 5.25pm I told her I was needing to push but she told me to puff on the G&A each time I felt the urge and it would help me to stop pushing! I should also add that after my internal at 5.25pm I wouldn't be allowed to push for a further hour, as with the epi they make you wait for the baby to descend down the birth canal. I knew there was no way that was going to happen as I was needing to push for ages! 5.25 FINALLY came round and she did my internal for me. The look on her face was priceless... she told me to give a little push which I did and she said ''right, time to push this baby out!'' HA, told you so 
she quickly got her apron and gloves on, put the pads down and got all the equipment ready for baby's arrival. I was sat right up on the bed and my feet were put on the pushing paddle things and some bars were raised up on the sides of the bed for me to pull.
It was now 5.30pm and a contraction came and I started pushing immediately. I had previously joked with the paramedic guy and the trainee doctor that I wanted this baby out in 5 mins I had pushed DD out in 13mins and said I wanted to beat my last time! They all laughed along and must've been thinking ''yeh alright love!''. I pushed and pushed and the MW then told me to just breathe and do small, tiny pushes and out came my beautiful girl's head 
OH just kept saying over and over ''she's got hair, she's got hair!'' He was great, cheering me on throughout and giving me little pep talks with another contraction and a push and out popped her whole body. It was just amazing. I didn't truly feel my DD1 come out last time as the previous epi was pretty effective and I only felt the contractions enough to get the urge to push. This time round I felt DD2 crowning, which felt very surreal and strange but thankfully didn't sting! And her body literally just slithered out. The time was 5.35pm - exactly 5 mins pushing 
She was put on my chest and we left her cord to stop pulsating before it was clamped and OH cut it. She was then put under my shirt for skin to skin and I was just on cloud 9. Lots of pics were taken, everybody congratulating me, OH kissing DD and me telling me how amazing I had been and he couldn't believe it etc. Equally as amazing as DD1's birth, so the best time of my life all over again I put her straight to the breast and she suckled for a long while so we didn't know her weight for a while. Eventually she came off and they weighed her and OH got her dressed whilst I was seen by the MW to have my catheter removed. I also had a small cut inside of my vagina so that was stitched up and I felt great. Baby weighed 3.520kg (7lbs 12oz), OH had a lovely hold of his newest daughter and she was then returned to me to be fed.
The 3 of us were left for a good few hours to bond and I was then taken up to the postnatal ward at 10pm and OH had to leave
I was shattered though so thought I'd just get some sleep and then he'd be back with DD1 to see us in the morning. I was pleasantly surprised to be given my own room, it was lovely to not be in a room with 3 other new mum's and all the crying babies. I just got to rest, kiss and cuddle my little lady and just relax. She slept soundly, I on the otherhand was still on a natural high from the birth and I couldn't shut off. I just watched her sleep, texted friends and family and ended up getting around 2 hours sleep. Oooops!
We were allowed home the next day (wednesday) and it's now Friday, our newest baby now has a name - Millie Emma, she's 3 days old and everything is going great. We are breastfeeding and she's taken to it amazingly. I failed BF'ing with DD1 so am determined to make it work this time and am over the moon with how it's going so far. Millie is doing great, she's so good and quiet it's almost as if she isn't here sometimes!! DD1 Amber loves her little sis to bits seeing them together melts my heart. Millie is the absolute spit of her sis as a newborn and I can't wait to see if she'll continue to grow and look like her or change completely. OH is just amazing, but I never doubted he'd be anything less. He was superb through DD1's birth and bringing her home and he hasn't failed to amaze me again 
he wakes with me for each feed at night, even though he doesn't need to! He'll get Millie from her basket for me, do the nappy changes and put her back so I literally just have to sit up, get a boob out, feed and then lie myself back down it's not a bad deal really!
Anyway, this has been a complete essay but I wanted to get it all down for myself more than anything, so I can look back at this and remind myself of every little detail
Here's some pics of my beautiful little girl and I've also added one of her and her big sis
Thanks for reading if you got this far!! xxx
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/E7A1BE91-3254-4BE7-A0FE-A011CF3A64E0-7982-0000046C4942BB04.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/camera340.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/millie.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/camera328.jpg
My second daughter was due on the 29th November 2012. I had gestational hypertension in my previous pregnancy and ended up being induced at 38w, I was determined to have a natural onset to labour this time but my BP started to rise around 35w this time and I had to be admitted to hospital for monitoring on a couple of occasions and I really did think I'd end up being induced again. Luckily my BP returned back to a normal or a much lower range and so I was allowed to go home but my appointments were made weekly for my BP to keep being checked just incase. I reached 39w and was so pleased that I'd made it that far but then also very eager to get things going incase I ended up going over and then having to be induced because of that!
I had a sweep booked in with my consultant at my 40w appt on Mon 26th (I was 39+4) and was really nervous about it. I didn't want it to hurt but I was also scared it wouldn't work and I'd be pregnant forever! The sweep was absolutely fine and didn't hurt at all and I was pleased to find out I was already 1-2cms dilated but my cervix was still very thick and long but the consultant had managed to do the sweep so it was now just a waiting game. I was booked back in for a sweep on my EDD and then if that was unsuccessful and induction for Mon 3rd Dec.
I got home that evening and thought I'd see if I could help the sweep along. I'd had a bit of backache but that died down to nothing so I bounced on my ball for around an hour or so whilst watching TV and moaning to my OH about how I wasn't feeling a thing, the sweep was unsuccessful, I was still going to be pregnant in a fortnight etc etc
you know how it is! I got bored of bouncing so got up to go to the loo and make a drink. That's when I noticed small parts of my plug had started to come away I was immediately excited and even ran in to my OH's bathroom to show him! Gross, I know! I got back on that ball and bounced for a further hour whilst sniffing clary sage oil straight out of the aromatherapy bottle. Thought I may as well try everything now, so also did a bit of nipple stimulation too.We went to bed at around 11pm on Monday night and I fell asleep instantly. I had a pretty good night's sleep but I remember dreaming I was having contractions, it was so strange. At 5.03am I was awoken by a very sharp tightening that started in my lower back and spread across to the bottom of my bump. It wasn't very painful but definitely wasn't a BH either. I was still half asleep but thought I better stay awake incase another one strikes and I need to get my contraction timer app on the go. I started to get my hopes up but also thought I better keep level headed as this may result in nothing. Sure enough, 8 mins later another contraction hit. Again I didn't want to jump ahead with the timer but thought I'll keep my eye on it. Another contraction hit around 8-10mins later. Suddenly I had an almighty need to go to the loo for a ''clear out''. I got up, went to the loo and started timing the contractions. I went in to the front room, watched the TV and started to bounce on my ball some more. The contractions were coming regularly between every 4-10mins and lasting for around 30-50secs. They still weren't very painful still but I think after 50mins or so I started to believe they were the real deal as they were definitely becoming more intense. I went to the toilet again for another clear out and that's when I had my bloody show. I decided to ring L&D just for some info as I was unsure of what to do. My previous labour had been induced so I never got the natural onset and slow build up of contractions. That labour was also under 4 hours long and I was worried I'd have another quick labour and we wouldn't make it to the hospital! The MW I spoke to told me it sounded like early labour and to just continue to time then, once the contractions were so bad I couldn't talk through them anymore it'd be time to go in and get checked.
I bounced on my ball some more and eventually woke my OH up at 7am to tell him I'd been contracting for the past 2hrs. He immediately got up and suggested we get ready, get DD up and dressed and go to the in-law's. They were to take care of DD and the hospital is 10mins from their house. I thought it was too early and didn't particularly want to be contracting badly in front of his mum
but it did make sense, so we all got ready, loaded the hospital bags in the car and set off at around 7.30. OH decided to give the M25 a miss and go the M1 and back roads (we were heading in to NW London) and sure enough we got stuck in rush hour traffic the car journey increased my contractions, and we made it to MIL's at around 8.45am. My contractions were a lot stronger but I could still talk through them and they were still anywhere between 5-7mins lasting 40-53 secs. Oh & I took a walk around the local park and this seemed to help me contract more, so half an hour later we headed back to the in-law's and OH ran me a bath as the contractions were getting sharper. I sat in the bath for around 30mins and my contractions started coming every 5 mins lasting for 50sec-1min+ so I decided it was time to go in to L&D, even though I could still talk through the contractions.When we got there luckily it wasn't too busy so the MW agreed to take me in to a delivery suite and check my progress. I was only 2cms and a little bit disappointed but then all of a sudden I started getting lower back ache that was a million times more painful with each contraction. I was pretty much screaming through them
they were coming every couple of mins, and each time I would throw myself on the floor in a crouch or crawl position to help with the pain. In hindsight, I don't actually think this helped lessen the pain but at the time it seemed to be the right thing to do! The MW asked me if I'd like some pethidine but I declined as I had it in my last labour and didn't like it very much. Just 30 mins later and I was still screaming (or wailing as my OH would tell you!) with each contraction and had accepted some paracetomol that had not helped at all. The MW checked baby's position and said she thought she was laying back to back which would explain the excruciating backache I had. The back pains were so much more worse than the contractions
I begged for her to do another internal as I was sure I had to be more than 2cms but she wasn't keen - she wanted to wait 2hrs+ between each examination. She finally agreed and I was very pleased to hear I was 4-5cms. She asked me if I wanted an epidural to help with the pain and I eagerly accepted the offer. I had originally only wanted to birth with G&A this time but I also hadn't expected to be in so much pain with the baby being back to back, so anything I could do to regain control of myself and the situation I was more than happy to do! An anaesthetist was available straight away so he came in, gave me the chat about the risks/effects etc and then they set to work. I forgot to say I was on G&A up to this point, but it really wasn't helping - especially not for the backache. The anaesthetist asked where the back pain was and I pointed out the area which hurt the most and he agreed baby was back to back and pressing on my spine and nerves, so he also offered me a spinal as he said the epi probably wouldn't take the back pains away. I couldn't have agreed more to anything in my life I don't think It was all set up and the spinal instantly started to work, but the anaesthetist explained he had slightly missed the pidural space and the needle was sited in some blood vessels he said it still might work but there was no guarantee and the chances were low. He explained that he could take it out and try again but for some reason the chances of getting it sited correctly were now lower because of him missing it the first time I was already in a lot less pain so said I would see how this one went and get it resited if needs be.From here on in things became a bit boring! I was no longer in pain, but wasn't able to move about as I was on the CTG monitor, blood pressure cuff, IV in hand, catheter fitted etc so I just sat on the bed laughing and joking with my OH, the MW, and also the paramedic who was getting some experience on births and the trainee doctor who had asked if they could be there during my labour/birth. The spinal ran out after 1.5hrs and the backache started to creep back but I had the epi topped up and it seemed to be working, although not as efficiently as it was supposed to. I quite liked that though as I was still in pain but it was definitely bearable and I was able to enjoy the whole experience.
I felt a lot of pressure by 4pm and told the MW I needed to be examined and she agreed to. I was now 8cms and she broke my waters for me. The contractions became a lot more frequent and stronger and I kept asking and asking to be checked but she refused to do so until 5.25pm
I told her I was needing to push but she told me to puff on the G&A each time I felt the urge and it would help me to stop pushing! I should also add that after my internal at 5.25pm I wouldn't be allowed to push for a further hour, as with the epi they make you wait for the baby to descend down the birth canal. I knew there was no way that was going to happen as I was needing to push for ages! 5.25 FINALLY came round and she did my internal for me. The look on her face was priceless... she told me to give a little push which I did and she said ''right, time to push this baby out!'' HA, told you so she quickly got her apron and gloves on, put the pads down and got all the equipment ready for baby's arrival. I was sat right up on the bed and my feet were put on the pushing paddle things and some bars were raised up on the sides of the bed for me to pull. It was now 5.30pm and a contraction came and I started pushing immediately. I had previously joked with the paramedic guy and the trainee doctor that I wanted this baby out in 5 mins
I had pushed DD out in 13mins and said I wanted to beat my last time! They all laughed along and must've been thinking ''yeh alright love!''. I pushed and pushed and the MW then told me to just breathe and do small, tiny pushes and out came my beautiful girl's head OH just kept saying over and over ''she's got hair, she's got hair!'' He was great, cheering me on throughout and giving me little pep talks with another contraction and a push and out popped her whole body. It was just amazing. I didn't truly feel my DD1 come out last time as the previous epi was pretty effective and I only felt the contractions enough to get the urge to push. This time round I felt DD2 crowning, which felt very surreal and strange but thankfully didn't sting! And her body literally just slithered out. The time was 5.35pm - exactly 5 mins pushing She was put on my chest and we left her cord to stop pulsating before it was clamped and OH cut it. She was then put under my shirt for skin to skin and I was just on cloud 9. Lots of pics were taken, everybody congratulating me, OH kissing DD and me telling me how amazing I had been and he couldn't believe it etc. Equally as amazing as DD1's birth, so the best time of my life all over again
I put her straight to the breast and she suckled for a long while so we didn't know her weight for a while. Eventually she came off and they weighed her and OH got her dressed whilst I was seen by the MW to have my catheter removed. I also had a small cut inside of my vagina so that was stitched up and I felt great. Baby weighed 3.520kg (7lbs 12oz), OH had a lovely hold of his newest daughter and she was then returned to me to be fed. The 3 of us were left for a good few hours to bond and I was then taken up to the postnatal ward at 10pm and OH had to leave
I was shattered though so thought I'd just get some sleep and then he'd be back with DD1 to see us in the morning. I was pleasantly surprised to be given my own room, it was lovely to not be in a room with 3 other new mum's and all the crying babies. I just got to rest, kiss and cuddle my little lady and just relax. She slept soundly, I on the otherhand was still on a natural high from the birth and I couldn't shut off. I just watched her sleep, texted friends and family and ended up getting around 2 hours sleep. Oooops!We were allowed home the next day (wednesday) and it's now Friday, our newest baby now has a name - Millie Emma, she's 3 days old and everything is going great. We are breastfeeding and she's taken to it amazingly. I failed BF'ing with DD1 so am determined to make it work this time and am over the moon with how it's going so far. Millie is doing great, she's so good and quiet it's almost as if she isn't here sometimes!! DD1 Amber loves her little sis to bits
seeing them together melts my heart. Millie is the absolute spit of her sis as a newborn and I can't wait to see if she'll continue to grow and look like her or change completely. OH is just amazing, but I never doubted he'd be anything less. He was superb through DD1's birth and bringing her home and he hasn't failed to amaze me again he wakes with me for each feed at night, even though he doesn't need to! He'll get Millie from her basket for me, do the nappy changes and put her back so I literally just have to sit up, get a boob out, feed and then lie myself back down it's not a bad deal really! Anyway, this has been a complete essay but I wanted to get it all down for myself more than anything, so I can look back at this and remind myself of every little detail
Here's some pics of my beautiful little girl and I've also added one of her and her big sis
Thanks for reading if you got this far!! xxx
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/E7A1BE91-3254-4BE7-A0FE-A011CF3A64E0-7982-0000046C4942BB04.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/camera340.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/millie.jpg
https://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m503/laurynp86/camera328.jpg
cannot wait for it to be my turn! Your girls are just beautiful xxx
and two beautiful girls!
beautiful storyxxx
