Really pleased and happy to introduce Freddie! Born on 19th August, two days before due date (so glad not to have the induction conversation!), weighing in at 9’1.
He’s amazing, and so is his hair!!
I started twinges on Friday at 2am, and it was quite slow and gentle at first. I finally went in about 8.30am on Saturday (the unit was closed, but I think they realised I wasn’t going to make Guildford or Worthing by that stage…) – 5cm dilated, and got very lucky with the one room with a birthing pool on the higher-dependency unit. Dave did ask for the respirator to be cleared, but no time for fairy lights!! I think he was quite relieved…
Pool was amazing. Tried gas and air, but didn’t get on with it, so ended up with no pain relief at all.
I couldn’t give birth in the water, I tried but after 90 minutes pushing, his heart rate was slowing after contractions, so the plan changed to ‘legs in stirrups’, and hey discovered the cord was looped round his neck. But, they sorted that and he was out pretty quickly after that, just a couple of pushes!
Dave caught him, and we did delayed cord clamping and natural delivery for the third stage (I do remember saying ‘I don’t want to push any more’!)
Thanks Wendy – Dave was going through my affirmations, and I felt in control of everything all the way through, even when the plan changed.
At home the next day, and have really enjoyed every moment, especially with Dave in paternity leave too. He said last night, ‘Did you think it would be this much fun?’ And I never dared to dream it would be.
Thanks so much Wendy
Zoe & David xxx