I figured it was about time I did my birth story as I don't want to forget it and this is as good a place as any to get it down 
Was getting very impatient in week 39 as I had expected LO to arrive a bit early like her brother, but she was quite comfy in there!
At 39+6, I got my mum to look after LO and OH & I had a last night out. We went to the cinema and for a mexican. Its crazy now I think I did this but I was so convinced now that LO would be late, that I didn't care about the uncomfortable cinema seats!
During that night, OH & I couldn't sleep with funny tummys from the mexican food. I tossed and turned and then, 6am bang on due date, my labour started with a little of my waters leaking.
My last labour was quick enough, so I prepared myself for it again. I phoned the hospital and contractions started at 7-7.30am. I went downstairs so OH could sleep and watched Graham Norton, ate toast and drank tea whilst having contractions 8mins apart
By about 9am, they were getting very strong so I shouted up for OH and got him to come sit with me through them. By 10am, I realised it was about time to leave. Contractions were still quite erratic - 4 mins, 5 mins, 8 mins, 5 mins etc but they were getting very strong and painful! So off we went to the hospital...
Luckily it was a Sunday morning so the place was really quiet. I got seen straight away and as I got up on the bed, my waters started leaking properly and I had my show (hadn't had it before then). Upon examination, the MW saw that I was 8cm - exactly like the last time
She then phoned up and got them to prepare the pool for us coming - think by this stage it was just after 11am!
They were trying to make me take a wheelchair up to the delivery suite but there ain't no way that was happening. So I managed a (very) slow walk up there! I got into the pool at 11.30am when it was half-filled as I needed it asap. I could feel pushing so I knew that it wouldn't be long. The pain was incredibly intense but somehow I was able to remain quite calm. I was offered G&A but only took it very sporadically (my last birth was so hazy because I was chowing down on so much G&A and I wanted to remain in control this time).
I told MW that baby was pushing, so she told me just to trust myself and if I wanted to push, push! I kept wondering 'why is she not helping me and leaving me to do this on my own?!?'. During the last few contractions, I was able to feel her head and her hair - it was amazing A few times between contractions, I held her there, but then my concentration slipped and she moved back up which was really frustrating, so I had to keep focus. But kept going and within 4/5 very very painful contractions, she was out! I didn't scream so much but was doing yoga breathing and doing 'aaaah' noises - by the end, I was practically singing her out. It must've have sounded so weird to anyone outside that room! She was born at 12.07pm 
The after-birth was fantastic. I was able to lift her out myself and pull her to my chest and we lay there for quite some time. OH cut her cord and after a bit, I moved onto the bed to deliver the placenta. We were then able to sit there all day. Our hospital have moved to a more MW-led approach, so we were discharged that evening, didn't see anyone bar the one MW and a lady who kept bringing us tea, food and water It was so relaxing for all 3 of us.
I will never forget this birth. I have never felt as in control of something like I did this. And she was worth every last bit of agony! Shes doing really well. We had a rough few days where she wasn't feeding right and lost a lot of weight but its improving now. Her big brother loves her to bits and if anything, I have more love for him now that I have her, which is so strange! So there you go... little baby Clodagh
Was getting very impatient in week 39 as I had expected LO to arrive a bit early like her brother, but she was quite comfy in there!
At 39+6, I got my mum to look after LO and OH & I had a last night out. We went to the cinema and for a mexican. Its crazy now I think I did this but I was so convinced now that LO would be late, that I didn't care about the uncomfortable cinema seats!
During that night, OH & I couldn't sleep with funny tummys from the mexican food. I tossed and turned and then, 6am bang on due date, my labour started with a little of my waters leaking.
My last labour was quick enough, so I prepared myself for it again. I phoned the hospital and contractions started at 7-7.30am. I went downstairs so OH could sleep and watched Graham Norton, ate toast and drank tea whilst having contractions 8mins apart
By about 9am, they were getting very strong so I shouted up for OH and got him to come sit with me through them. By 10am, I realised it was about time to leave. Contractions were still quite erratic - 4 mins, 5 mins, 8 mins, 5 mins etc but they were getting very strong and painful! So off we went to the hospital...
Luckily it was a Sunday morning so the place was really quiet. I got seen straight away and as I got up on the bed, my waters started leaking properly and I had my show (hadn't had it before then). Upon examination, the MW saw that I was 8cm - exactly like the last time
She then phoned up and got them to prepare the pool for us coming - think by this stage it was just after 11am!They were trying to make me take a wheelchair up to the delivery suite but there ain't no way that was happening. So I managed a (very) slow walk up there! I got into the pool at 11.30am when it was half-filled as I needed it asap. I could feel pushing so I knew that it wouldn't be long. The pain was incredibly intense but somehow I was able to remain quite calm. I was offered G&A but only took it very sporadically (my last birth was so hazy because I was chowing down on so much G&A and I wanted to remain in control this time).
I told MW that baby was pushing, so she told me just to trust myself and if I wanted to push, push! I kept wondering 'why is she not helping me and leaving me to do this on my own?!?'. During the last few contractions, I was able to feel her head and her hair - it was amazing
A few times between contractions, I held her there, but then my concentration slipped and she moved back up which was really frustrating, so I had to keep focus. But kept going and within 4/5 very very painful contractions, she was out! I didn't scream so much but was doing yoga breathing and doing 'aaaah' noises - by the end, I was practically singing her out. It must've have sounded so weird to anyone outside that room! She was born at 12.07pm The after-birth was fantastic. I was able to lift her out myself and pull her to my chest and we lay there for quite some time. OH cut her cord and after a bit, I moved onto the bed to deliver the placenta. We were then able to sit there all day. Our hospital have moved to a more MW-led approach, so we were discharged that evening, didn't see anyone bar the one MW and a lady who kept bringing us tea, food and water
It was so relaxing for all 3 of us. I will never forget this birth. I have never felt as in control of something like I did this. And she was worth every last bit of agony! Shes doing really well. We had a rough few days where she wasn't feeding right and lost a lot of weight but its improving now. Her big brother loves her to bits and if anything, I have more love for him now that I have her, which is so strange! So there you go... little baby Clodagh
well done again. shes absolutely adorable!
Clodagh is absolutely gorgeous, and what a lovely name! Many congratulations to you, DH and your wee dude 
