You're about to have a baby...

After finding that I was 9cm dilated, my Midwife was called to return as they were not sure how long it would take for me to reach 10cm. After dilating 6cm in 90 minutes they were prepared for me to dilate fully in no time at all.

Even though I had had the epidural, I was still very aware of the contractions although they were not as painful. The pressure was unlike anything I had ever experienced and I knew we were close. At 3.45pm I was examined and told that I was fully dilated.. we were ready and I could start pushing. She told me that we were about to meet our baby… me and Mr N kissed, I cried some happy tears and I started pushing.

I always imagined myself as someone who would be a bit of a nightmare in labour and Mr N was fully prepared for me to turn into a complete demon. I swear too much and I was worried that the pain of labour would bring out words even I had never used before. It became a bit of a running joke amongst everyone who knew me that Mr N should prepare himself for the birth… who knew how I’d behave.

I surprised everyone but no one more than myself. When I began to push I knew that I had to zone out and completely focus. I vaguely remember Mr N calling out words of encouragement and I could hear the Midwives telling me to “keep going”. Time stood still and I wasn’t aware at the time but I was more drugged up than I realised. Segments of the end of the labour are still blank in my mind and I have to rely on Mr N’s memory.

Unfortunately, the baby was getting tired and the Midwife was concerned about his heartrate so the emergency button was pressed. I don’t remember any of that but I do remember briefly coming back into the room and seeing a lot of people who were not there before. I was told that they would need to make an incision and they were going to try the suction cup to help the baby out. This, however did not work and they went straight to Plan B… forceps. All of these things; the episiotomy, suction cup and forceps were listed on my Birth Plan as ‘Do Not Want’ yet it was too late for that and getting the baby out safely became the priority.

I was told after that the usual procedure for an instrumental delivery is that it’s completed in theatre as many end in Caesarean Sections but my doctor felt as though the baby would arrive with only minimal assistance.

I was told to keep pushing when I felt a contraction and that they would try and support the baby out. I pushed with everything I had as the pressure down below increased and increased to the point where I wasn’t sure it could do anymore and then at 4.28pm….. there was a baby on my chest. This real life tiny little person, purple and still. They found his cord had been wrapped around his neck which explains why he was beginning to struggle. He needed a rough rub down with a towel before we heard the most wonderful noise.. he was crying.

Our baby had arrived, and our lives would never be the same again. I glanced over at Mr N whose eyes had welled up and he kissed me on the forehead whilst we stared down at our little boy.