On Tuesday afternoon, I noticed that my BHs were coming more often and were a little stronger, but decided to keep it to myself- I felt a bit like the boy who cried wolf as I had had a few clusters already that I thought would likely turn into labour...only to have them fizzle out.
In the evening they were still there and I mentioned them to DH and told him not to be too long at the shops. We didn't tell any of the kids as I didn't want them staying awake to listen out for me in labour/the baby.
I grew tired around 9.30 and decided to get some sleep as I thought there was a real possiblity that I could go into labour that night. As I was drifting off I felt a faint click inside but decided it was likely nothing- my tummy had been gurgling all night.
11.30, I awoke with a very full bladder...most unusual for me as I don't ever get up in pregnancy to pee at night. I walked across the room to the ensuite and started leaking loads of fluid. (the click was obviously my water breaking) I went through and woke DH to fill the birth pool...he had only just fallen asleep in front of the TV. I knew that when labour kicked in it would be quick as my body had been practicing very well for over a month.
I called my midwife to let her know that it would happen soon but that I didn't need her yet as I had no contractions.
As I prepared my room for the birth, I started getting some mild contractions...no stronger than the BHs I had been getting though. I got it all organised then hopped into bed hoping to get some more sleep before the birth. Just after midnight they grew a little stronger and I called her saying that it was happening but not to hurry as they weren't very strong yet. She said she was on her way!!
I went through and told Imy (my DD who has recently given birth to my grandson Levi) and she was very excited. I admitted that I was feeling a bit scared of the 2nd stage- Connor's had been difficult as he had come out with his hand on his head and I was feeling a bit negative and wanted to get into a positive frame of mind. I then rang my mum and asked her to come over as I really felt like I needed women around at that time. This is very unusual for me as I normally only want DH there.
Mum turned up and I started feeling better. The contractions grew stronger and demanded my attention. My midwife arrived at 1.30am and I had a chat with her about how I was feeling and she said all the things that I needed to hear.
I hopped in the birth pool, and the relief from the pain was instant.
I breathed through the contractions and everyone was reassuring me that I was doing well and feeding me loads of positivity which really helped.
At around 2am, I felt my voice catch and I pushed for the first time. I then breathed through the rest of the urges as I just wanted my body to do the work as the labour had already been so fast. 10 minutes later, I suddenly wanted Imy there and asked mum to go get her. Mum came back and said she'd be through after she'd finished feeding Levi. I said 'get her now!!!!'...I was in 2nd stage!!
She came into the room with a huge smile on her face and my grandson in her arms...and suddenly I felt like everything was right and all the people I needed there were there.
I kept breathing through the contractions...I was kneeling leaning over the edge of the birth pool holding my midwife's hands and DH had a hand putting pressure on my back which felt great.
Between contractions, it was lovely to be able to look at my grandson...he provided a great focus for me.
I mentioned that in the position I was in I would likely catch the baby myself as she would come up in front of me. I didn't know at the time but DH was very disappointed.
At just after 2.30 am, I again had to push and the baby's head instantly came right down to my pelvic floor and I felt the pressure from it. I reached down and felt it, such an amazing feeling as I felt her squishy head.
My support team were great and I felt very safe and knew I was going to birth our baby and was actually very excited about it.
The next contraction, I felt an overwhelming urge to push and did again...and suddenly the whole head crowned- in a few seconds!! I made the only noise of the whole labour as I made a very primal yell at the same time. I felt the shoulders twist around and resisted the urge to push until they had finished...this only took seconds. Then I pushed again and felt the most incredible feeling as her little body shot out of mine...straight behind me into her daddy's waiting hands!!
I flipped over and DH passed her to me, and she was very pink and healthy and covered in vernix. (she was supposed to be 2 days late!) She calmly looked into my eyes and I melted and then she fell straight asleep.
I started bleeding so got out and lost quite a bit of blood so no natural 3rd stage this time as I opted for syntocinon, not wanting to bleed any more. The placenta then popped straight out. DH happily cut the cord.
My midwife then called her helper...who unknown to me had been sleeping in her car and they cleaned up all the mess while DH and I and our new daughter Sierra Grace hopped into bed for some bonding time.
She was later weighed, 8lb 5oz, 52cm long and a 36.5cm head. I had a tiny tear inside that has caused no pain and didn't need any stitches.
Our kids slept through the whole thing...DH joked that I was becoming a scientologist as I had a nearly silent labour! As they awoke they discovered that they had a new baby sister which was a lovely surprise for them.
Welcome to the world Sierra Grace.