How was your birth experience?
Fantastic! I could not have asked for better. It was so amazing!!!!! Completely natural just how I wanted it. I truly believe it was because I had a doula...she made me feel very calm and relaxed.
How long was your entire labour from the first contraction to the birth of your precious baby?
4.5 hours from 3cms which is proper labour to birth.
I had braxton hicks contractions (these are practice contractions) for 2 week previous to Alex's birth. I was in and out of hospital believeing it to be the real thing and it never was.Although a week before he was born I was already 2 cms dilated.Proper labour starts at 3 cms so you can imagine my woe! LOL.
Anyway on the 27th Dec I woke up and there was alot of mucous.. the mucous plug that protects the cervix was falling out and I new that this meant my cervix was dilating more. Went to hospital and I was still 2cms so they sent me home... I pottered around the house having baths and eating. I called my Doula and told her this was it and she came over to help out. By the way I thoroughly recommend a doula!!
Contractions got worse in the evening. Really painful and 4 minutes between each. The Pain was taking my breath away! Rushed to hospital because pain was coming on thick and fast got there and it took from 3 cms to him being born in 4.5 hours! Vey very quick indeed! At one point however contractions seemed to stop and I think this was prolly the transition stage. I was able to have a cup of tea for a peaceful 10 mins before they started up again!
There was no time for any painkillers so it was all natural. Gas and air (Entenox) didn't work.
Were there any complications?
At one point Alex's heart beat started dropping and the midwife told me she would have to break my waters. This took forever because they would not budge! And then 20 mins later I was pushing. I was panic stricken at that moment when his heart rate was dropping. So I really pushed hard...3 pushes and he was out. He had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times and the midwife thought this might have been causing the problems.
What pain relief did you use? And did it work?
Gas and Air didn't work so no no pain relief because there was no time. Although I can remember yelling for an epidural LOL! But it was too late!
Was it anything like you had expected?
The pain was INCREDIBLE!!!!! But its a pain you get used to and have to deal with cause there is no other option. It was better than I could have ever imagined!
Did you make a birthing plan beforehand? And if so, did you manage to stick to it?
I had a birth plan and I wanted Alex naturally and to have an active birth and thats exactly what I got.
What was it like to hold your baby for the first time?
Words cannot even describe this feeling! I was in pure ecstacy! It was the most amazing feeling! Unbelievable...
Did you have your baby in hospital or at home?
In a hospital.
How long were you in hospital (if you had a hospital delivery)?
24 hours was long enough! Its far too noisy in the wards. LOL
