How was your birth experience?
Fantastic, painful, scarey, funny - unique!
How long was your entire labour from the first contraction to the birth of your precious baby?
Well established labour is down at 9hrs 9 minutes but i actually had my waters break at Midnight and had her at 11.35am the next day!
Were there any complications?
None whatsoever, had a second degree tear but that's common with natural birth
What pain relief did you use?
I had a tens fitted by my midwife at home and had gas and air for an hour or so at hospital
And did it work?
Yes it did - but so did my midwifes advice, dont' fight the pain breathe through it and it won't hurt as much!
Was it anything like you had expected?
Nothing like i expected - i think you shouldn't try and go in with expectations because whatever you imagine it to be it will never be like that and everyone's experience is very different so always have an open mind.
Did you make a birthing plan beforehand?
I made a very open birth plan as i had a very good midwife who made me realise that a plan is a good thing but as with every labour anything can happen so don't make it too stringent. I was clear on wanting as little pain relief as possible and on skin to skin as soon as Tasha was born.
And if so, did you manage to stick to it?
Well i think that having Tens and G&A and a great pair of birthing partners who made me laugh at myself alot helped me to stick to it!
What was it like to hold your baby for the first time?
It's hard to describe it was like nothing i've ever experienced before - the total love that is just there for your baby is just amazing!
Did you have your baby in hospital or at home?
It's a bit weird because i had her in a Home from Home Suite which isn't home but is in hospital but isn't like the normal delivery wards - it had a double pine bed, carpets, frilly curtains, moses basked set up beside the bed - was very nice and relaxing - much more so than a hospital delivery room.
How long were you in hospital (if you had a hospital delivery)?
I was sat on the sofa with Tasha 3 hours after i had her - at a Home from Home Suite you are released within 6hours of delivery.
