Just a warning this is very long but I had such a great experience I wanted to share it with everybody!
Well I was given an EDD of 16th December 2010, I went in for a sweep with the midwife 5 days overdue on the 21st December and she told me I was 2cm, but my cervix hadnt really started effacing yet which she said is normal for second pregnancies. Anyway, later that day and for the next couple of days I started losing my plug and had my show. I also started having cramps and back ache.
I had been listening to my Hypnobirthing Affirmations and Relaxations CDs everyday from about 37 weeks from my lovely friend and long distance doula
Lisa and read some fabulous birth books to get myself ready for the birth. My first birth, although it was a good experience I didnt really prepare at all and I was terrified beforehand and this time I was so relaxed and excited about it, it definitely helped!!
I started getting irregular tightenings on the 23rd December and by Christmas Eve they were coming between 5 and 20 minutes apart. They were slightly uncomfortable but nothing painful.
At about 2am Christmas Day morning the contractions were still irregular (some coming every 5 minutes some 8 minutes then every 20 minutes or so) but they were strong enough to wake me up and feel uncomfortable I got up at about 3am and had a clary sage bath Andy sat with me and we decided to try and get some rest as wed have a very excited 2 year old waking up at 7!
We went back to bed with my Affirmations CD and I managed to doze in between contractions all the way through until 7am! We went in and helped Izzy carry her stocking into our room and opened all our stockings and had breakfast in bed all the time still having these irregular contractions, we got dressed, went downstairs and tackled the big presents and started prepping the Christmas dinner the contractions were getting stronger and I had to pause and breathe through them when they came, when we sat down to eat our dinner I managed about half my meal and decided it was probably best to not eat anything else as my contractions had picked up to 5-8 minutes.
We put Izzy down for her nap and decided to call the delivery ward to let them know. We told them we wanted a water birth but they said there was someone in that room at the moment but the birthing centre 8 miles away had a free water birth room which we may be able to use. They offered to send out my midwife and she came within about 15 minutes. She checked me and I was gutted when she told me I was still only 2cm (but she could stretch me to 3) and also that Imogen had turned slightly back to back and my cervix was posterior. She suggested some things to speed up the labour and get her to turn. She gave me a really good sweep and said she was gutted for me that I wasnt as far along as Id hoped as she was about to finish her shift and would have loved to have delivered her today. She told me she thought I would have her by Boxing Day and left at about 2:30pm. We called Mum and Dad and asked them to come over to collect Izzy after her nap just in case things picked up.
As soon as she left I decided to try everything she suggested a nice warm bath, leaning forward over my birth ball, staying upright and walking. Suddenly things got so much more painful and closer together we decided to start timing them properly, Mum and Dad turned up at 3:20pm just as Izzy woke up and it was then that we discovered they were coming every 2 minutes on the dot and lasting exactly 55 seconds each time. OK this is it!! Andy rang the delivery ward again at about 3:30pm and told them what was happening and the woman who was in the Water birth room had just finished so they said theyd move her out and get the room ready and told us to come in. Yaaay!!
It took ages to get into the car because I wouldnt let Andy leave my side as I was draping myself over him and rocking my hips back and forth and he was telling me to breathe through every contraction. There was a mad panic to get to the hospital as our car needed de-icing and the screen had frozen INSIDE too so my Mum was frantically de-icing the car, my Dad was distracting Izzy upstairs and Andy was helping me through the contractions and every 2 minutes was running out and helping mum or putting our hospital bags in the boot. I knew things were getting serious as I was snapping at Andy for leaving me and pushing his hands away if he was rubbing me the wrong way etc...
With a barely de-iced car we zoomed up to the hospital (even though it is only 2 minutes up the road we didnt get there until just after 4:15pm with all our faffing around. I had two contractions on the way in the car and breathed through them, then one when we walked from the car, one in the lift and one at reception.
The Kingsley Suite water birth room where I had Izzy had literally just been cleared and they had already started running the pool water. I met Emily my midwife and in between contractions I talked to her about my progress, she said I need to be 5cm before she can let me in the pool I was praying I was 5cm I NEEDED to get in that pool!!! I was getting them very frequently and she said Wow they are really coming thick and fast arent they!
She offered to check me so I got on the bed and had a couple of puffs of gas and air which really took the edge off the Contraction but made me a little nauseous I said If Im still only 2cm and it feels like this bad Im going to need something else! She checked babys position and she had turned so baby wasnt back to back anymore! Then she checked me and said well youre definitely not 2cm. Id say 7-8cm and youre completely effaced and your cervix is very soft youre having this baby today!
I was so relieved I started crying! I said Oh my God I cant believe it! Andy said to me Youve done so well baby Im so proud of you! and started welling up too. 
Just then she said the pool was ready so I got my tankini top straight on and got in, she had moved the gas and air over by the pool too. When I got in it felt incredible, my contractions stayed just as strong but I had a bit longer in between them, the gas and air made me feel a bit sick this time so I used the mouth piece to bite down on instead.
In between contractions I was making little jokes and smiling with Andy and Emily; I felt really relaxed and we were both so excited that we were about to meet our daughter, the CD player was broken so I couldnt play my hypnobirthing CD but it didnt bother me as it was all implanted in my mind. I asked if I had to get out the pool for her to check me again as I really wanted to deliver in the pool, (when I had my first daughter they made me get out to check me and I ended up delivering on the bed) she said no she can check me in the pool.
She quickly went through a few of the last bits on my birth plan checked babys heart rate as she could tell I was nearly there. Baby was absolutely fine. I told her Im going to try and not swear so much this time as I swore like a trooper last time! she was laughing saying Really?! Im looking forward to that! she told me she would tell me how to breathe as she comes out to try and prevent tearing. I told her that I could feel more pressure down there after the next two contractions.
The next thing I know my waters break and my God the contractions got so strong I had one more and I said I need to push!!! She said thats fine you do what your body tells you so with the next contraction I pushed and her head was nearly born, Andy and her said to push a tiny bit more so her nose was out. I was looking at Andy and doing the quick panting thing then when the next contraction came I pushed and out came her shoulders and rest of her body. Emily caught her and put her straight onto my tummy. I only swore twice (quietly too!
) just before I pushed! She was born 36 minutes after I got into hospital, just over 2 hours after the first midwife told me I was only 2cm and not in real labour and after just 2 minutes of pushing!!!! (I pushed for 40 minutes with my first!)
She was so gorgeous.
I kept saying I cant believe how quick that was. Andy and I kept saying how lucky we are and kissed each other and her. We just stared and took pictures. She was covered in vernix all over her body which proves the EDD is exactly that she was definitely not an overdue baby and they had wanted to induce me in two days time which I had refused anyway.
I kept her head above water and her body below. We just lay there for over half an hour whilst the cord finished pumping she was so calm she didnt cry as she didnt realise she had been born the cord was actually still going after half an hour but we decided to cut it then as she needed a good cry and a rub to get the mucous off her chest.
It was then she had her first cuddles with Daddy whilst I delivered the placenta (naturally this time rather than the injection) and the midwife helped me out of the pool and offered to check me on the bed I only had a small tear, not enough to need stitches which was such a huge relief after my second degree tear and lots of stitches with my first. I was elated!
They weighed her, she looked tiny compared to Izzy but still weighed a good weight: 9lb 5 1/2 oz. We were allowed as long as we wanted in the birthing suite as it was so quiet so we had loads of skin to skin, she latched on straight away and we started ringing round family to let them know then I had a lovely shower and got changed whilst Daddy had cuddles.
It took 5 hours to get out of hospital even after such an easy birth because of new NICE guidelines because she was considered big (even though my first daughter was 1lb 3oz bigger) they were trying to get me to stay overnight so they could do blood sugar tests every three hours. I had to explain to 3 different midwives and a paediatrician that I would be better off at home with my husband and eldest daughter and would gladly pop back tomorrow for the paediatric test (new NICE guidelines also say babies over a certain weight have to be checked by paediatricians rather than midwives now but after 6 hours and before 72 hours!) I told them that I would be happy to sign something for them to let me leave. They eventually (after a LOT of polite but firm persuasion) agreed and we were free to go!!!! Our first night at home was perfect and we had a glass of champagne to celebrate and a pretty good nights sleep! We popped back the next day for the paediatric and blood sugar checks and surprise surprise all was absolutely fine (I just have big babies like I had already explained to them!)
I had such an easy wonderful birth experience and I totally credit it to the great books I read, my Hypnobirthing techniques, tips and great advice from my amazing Mummy friends and of course my amazing birth partner, my husband who spent the entire time telling me how well I was doing, how proud of me he was and how much he loved us. I feel on such a high, and I am so blessed to have two beautiful healthy daughters. Thank you for reading. Ive attached a couple of pictures too.
Kate xx
My little water lily
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/007-10.jpg
A very happy Mummy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/006-9.jpg
Daddy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/012-6.jpg
Mummy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/031-6.jpg
Well I was given an EDD of 16th December 2010, I went in for a sweep with the midwife 5 days overdue on the 21st December and she told me I was 2cm, but my cervix hadnt really started effacing yet which she said is normal for second pregnancies. Anyway, later that day and for the next couple of days I started losing my plug and had my show. I also started having cramps and back ache.
I had been listening to my Hypnobirthing Affirmations and Relaxations CDs everyday from about 37 weeks from my lovely friend and long distance doula
Lisa and read some fabulous birth books to get myself ready for the birth. My first birth, although it was a good experience I didnt really prepare at all and I was terrified beforehand and this time I was so relaxed and excited about it, it definitely helped!!I started getting irregular tightenings on the 23rd December and by Christmas Eve they were coming between 5 and 20 minutes apart. They were slightly uncomfortable but nothing painful.
At about 2am Christmas Day morning the contractions were still irregular (some coming every 5 minutes some 8 minutes then every 20 minutes or so) but they were strong enough to wake me up and feel uncomfortable I got up at about 3am and had a clary sage bath Andy sat with me and we decided to try and get some rest as wed have a very excited 2 year old waking up at 7!
We went back to bed with my Affirmations CD and I managed to doze in between contractions all the way through until 7am! We went in and helped Izzy carry her stocking into our room and opened all our stockings and had breakfast in bed all the time still having these irregular contractions, we got dressed, went downstairs and tackled the big presents and started prepping the Christmas dinner the contractions were getting stronger and I had to pause and breathe through them when they came, when we sat down to eat our dinner I managed about half my meal and decided it was probably best to not eat anything else as my contractions had picked up to 5-8 minutes.
We put Izzy down for her nap and decided to call the delivery ward to let them know. We told them we wanted a water birth but they said there was someone in that room at the moment but the birthing centre 8 miles away had a free water birth room which we may be able to use. They offered to send out my midwife and she came within about 15 minutes. She checked me and I was gutted when she told me I was still only 2cm (but she could stretch me to 3) and also that Imogen had turned slightly back to back and my cervix was posterior. She suggested some things to speed up the labour and get her to turn. She gave me a really good sweep and said she was gutted for me that I wasnt as far along as Id hoped as she was about to finish her shift and would have loved to have delivered her today. She told me she thought I would have her by Boxing Day and left at about 2:30pm. We called Mum and Dad and asked them to come over to collect Izzy after her nap just in case things picked up.
As soon as she left I decided to try everything she suggested a nice warm bath, leaning forward over my birth ball, staying upright and walking. Suddenly things got so much more painful and closer together we decided to start timing them properly, Mum and Dad turned up at 3:20pm just as Izzy woke up and it was then that we discovered they were coming every 2 minutes on the dot and lasting exactly 55 seconds each time. OK this is it!! Andy rang the delivery ward again at about 3:30pm and told them what was happening and the woman who was in the Water birth room had just finished so they said theyd move her out and get the room ready and told us to come in. Yaaay!!
It took ages to get into the car because I wouldnt let Andy leave my side as I was draping myself over him and rocking my hips back and forth and he was telling me to breathe through every contraction. There was a mad panic to get to the hospital as our car needed de-icing and the screen had frozen INSIDE too so my Mum was frantically de-icing the car, my Dad was distracting Izzy upstairs and Andy was helping me through the contractions and every 2 minutes was running out and helping mum or putting our hospital bags in the boot. I knew things were getting serious as I was snapping at Andy for leaving me and pushing his hands away if he was rubbing me the wrong way etc...
With a barely de-iced car we zoomed up to the hospital (even though it is only 2 minutes up the road we didnt get there until just after 4:15pm with all our faffing around. I had two contractions on the way in the car and breathed through them, then one when we walked from the car, one in the lift and one at reception.
The Kingsley Suite water birth room where I had Izzy had literally just been cleared and they had already started running the pool water. I met Emily my midwife and in between contractions I talked to her about my progress, she said I need to be 5cm before she can let me in the pool I was praying I was 5cm I NEEDED to get in that pool!!! I was getting them very frequently and she said Wow they are really coming thick and fast arent they!
She offered to check me so I got on the bed and had a couple of puffs of gas and air which really took the edge off the Contraction but made me a little nauseous I said If Im still only 2cm and it feels like this bad Im going to need something else! She checked babys position and she had turned so baby wasnt back to back anymore! Then she checked me and said well youre definitely not 2cm. Id say 7-8cm and youre completely effaced and your cervix is very soft youre having this baby today!
I was so relieved I started crying! I said Oh my God I cant believe it! Andy said to me Youve done so well baby Im so proud of you! and started welling up too. Just then she said the pool was ready so I got my tankini top straight on and got in, she had moved the gas and air over by the pool too. When I got in it felt incredible, my contractions stayed just as strong but I had a bit longer in between them, the gas and air made me feel a bit sick this time so I used the mouth piece to bite down on instead.
In between contractions I was making little jokes and smiling with Andy and Emily; I felt really relaxed and we were both so excited that we were about to meet our daughter, the CD player was broken so I couldnt play my hypnobirthing CD but it didnt bother me as it was all implanted in my mind. I asked if I had to get out the pool for her to check me again as I really wanted to deliver in the pool, (when I had my first daughter they made me get out to check me and I ended up delivering on the bed) she said no she can check me in the pool.
She quickly went through a few of the last bits on my birth plan checked babys heart rate as she could tell I was nearly there. Baby was absolutely fine. I told her Im going to try and not swear so much this time as I swore like a trooper last time! she was laughing saying Really?! Im looking forward to that! she told me she would tell me how to breathe as she comes out to try and prevent tearing. I told her that I could feel more pressure down there after the next two contractions.
The next thing I know my waters break and my God the contractions got so strong I had one more and I said I need to push!!! She said thats fine you do what your body tells you so with the next contraction I pushed and her head was nearly born, Andy and her said to push a tiny bit more so her nose was out. I was looking at Andy and doing the quick panting thing then when the next contraction came I pushed and out came her shoulders and rest of her body. Emily caught her and put her straight onto my tummy. I only swore twice (quietly too!
) just before I pushed! She was born 36 minutes after I got into hospital, just over 2 hours after the first midwife told me I was only 2cm and not in real labour and after just 2 minutes of pushing!!!! (I pushed for 40 minutes with my first!) She was so gorgeous.
I kept saying I cant believe how quick that was. Andy and I kept saying how lucky we are and kissed each other and her. We just stared and took pictures. She was covered in vernix all over her body which proves the EDD is exactly that she was definitely not an overdue baby and they had wanted to induce me in two days time which I had refused anyway. I kept her head above water and her body below. We just lay there for over half an hour whilst the cord finished pumping she was so calm she didnt cry as she didnt realise she had been born the cord was actually still going after half an hour but we decided to cut it then as she needed a good cry and a rub to get the mucous off her chest.
It was then she had her first cuddles with Daddy whilst I delivered the placenta (naturally this time rather than the injection) and the midwife helped me out of the pool and offered to check me on the bed I only had a small tear, not enough to need stitches which was such a huge relief after my second degree tear and lots of stitches with my first. I was elated!
They weighed her, she looked tiny compared to Izzy but still weighed a good weight: 9lb 5 1/2 oz. We were allowed as long as we wanted in the birthing suite as it was so quiet so we had loads of skin to skin, she latched on straight away and we started ringing round family to let them know then I had a lovely shower and got changed whilst Daddy had cuddles.
It took 5 hours to get out of hospital even after such an easy birth because of new NICE guidelines because she was considered big (even though my first daughter was 1lb 3oz bigger) they were trying to get me to stay overnight so they could do blood sugar tests every three hours. I had to explain to 3 different midwives and a paediatrician that I would be better off at home with my husband and eldest daughter and would gladly pop back tomorrow for the paediatric test (new NICE guidelines also say babies over a certain weight have to be checked by paediatricians rather than midwives now but after 6 hours and before 72 hours!) I told them that I would be happy to sign something for them to let me leave. They eventually (after a LOT of polite but firm persuasion) agreed and we were free to go!!!! Our first night at home was perfect and we had a glass of champagne to celebrate and a pretty good nights sleep! We popped back the next day for the paediatric and blood sugar checks and surprise surprise all was absolutely fine (I just have big babies like I had already explained to them!)
I had such an easy wonderful birth experience and I totally credit it to the great books I read, my Hypnobirthing techniques, tips and great advice from my amazing Mummy friends and of course my amazing birth partner, my husband who spent the entire time telling me how well I was doing, how proud of me he was and how much he loved us. I feel on such a high, and I am so blessed to have two beautiful healthy daughters. Thank you for reading. Ive attached a couple of pictures too.
Kate xx
My little water lily
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/007-10.jpg
A very happy Mummy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/006-9.jpg
Daddy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/012-6.jpg
Mummy and baby
https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s13/bambikate3/031-6.jpg
xx
I knew I'd forget something! lol she was 9lb 5 1/2 oz (My first was 10lb 8 1/2 oz) I've amended the original post now thank you xx
x
