Hi there,

Sorry it's been so long. Hannah is now 17 days old and my OH has finally got her to settle in his arms to give me a chance to write this.

On Thursday 24th April at 39 weeks, spent the day doing lots of stressful things including getting my car brakes fixed and eating junk food! In evening sent my OH off to do some work (he has his own business selling logs) and spent the evening feeling fed up and fat. Later on we had a huge row about something and nothing and I threw lots of stuff around the landing and then went to bed. However, didn't get any sleep as started with strange feelings at 1am and went to the loo several times with upset tummy. Also got the shakes which could have been coz I realised it was all starting. Contractions were coming every 3-5 min straight away which surprised me, so rang the hospital who told me to have a bath and wait and see. But an hour later they were stronger and every 3/4 minutes so we went in all strapped up to my tens machine.

When we got there at about 3am was checked by midwife who said I was only 1cm dilated and that could mean nothing as I'd had a miscarriage last year so my cervix could always be like that! Talk about making me feel sXXt! So got moved to a side room in postnatal as I couldn't cope with going back home.

Anyway, to cut a long story short - stayed in this room for most of day pushing my boost button on the tens each time and was dilating gradually. By about 2pm was 4cm and asked for some meptid that really helped. Then by about 5pm was 9cm. Asked for more meptid which didn't do much by then. Had been asking for an epidural for ages but midwife kept saying lets leave it a bit longer!

Got moved back to the delivery room and with help of gas and air was pushing for about 1 & 3/4 hours. Was really struggling then and felt like I was getting nowhere. Then next thing we knew was there were more people in room and babies heartbeat wasn't recovering after contractions. Forceps were mentioned and I tried much harder to push after that! However, midwife's then decided to give me some help with a cut and straight away the head was delivered and one more push and it was all over at 21:03pm! The relief was wonderful! She had her hand up by her head and the cord was around that and her neck - little tinker! She was quite blue when she came out and they rushed her off for some oxygen but as they took her out she started to cry and she didn't need any in the end.

We then got to spend the next 2 hours cuddling Hannah and waiting to get stitched up - gave birth just before a shift ended so had to wait for the handover!!! Didn't mind as it meant John - OH - could stay longer than usual - they let him stay over 4 hours which was great.

Sounds daft but still couldn't believe I'd had a baby and that she was mine as I lay there looking at her. Tried breastfeeding straight away with no help and she had a little feed. Got moved over to postnatal and then spent most of night cuddling her.

She was 6lbs 9oz and looked tiny compared to the other babies in the ward. My OH was amazing and couldn't have done it without him. Kept me breathing and made me relax with each contraction which really helped. Midwifes kept him fed with tea and food all day so they liked him too! Plus he managed to stay awake the whole time despite being able to sleep standing up normally. Mind you as soon as she was born and we were feeding he conked out!!!

She's is so gorgeous - and still tiny. But has been feeding really well and after the first week am now really settled into breastfeeding. Did have a bad patch to start with with bleeding nipples but a nipple shield helped it heal and now don't use it. Did get my position checked by midwife lots of times and by a couple of b/f counsellors too who all said she was good at latching on. If any of you want any advice do message me - will try to get online every few days.

So far am coping fine. Hannah doesn't like her carry cot or crib so is sleeping with me most of time and OH has opted for the floor poor thing! Have got her in it occasionally but she is really light sleeper and it's hard work getting her to settle. Likes to be held lots which means I don't get much done. Feds lots in day time and at night feds at 11, 3, 6 and 9 so am getting some sleep inbetween - plus daytime nap is crucial! Found out today she's put on 6oz after only losing 2oz of original birth weight so she's definitely getting lots of milk.

Have had baby blues a bit but only normal I guess and now have a womb infection so am on antibiotics which is a pain. But it got caught early so no bad symptoms.

Sorry it's so long - could have written more but Hannah is now awake so it's feeding time again!

Bye for now,

Love Anne, John and Hannah - 17 days old x x x

Glad your little girl arrived safely.


xxx

Congratulations hun! Lovely birth story!

Lots of Love

Emily and Lily Rose (3 weeks!)
xxx

i ENJOYED YOUR STORY!
CONGRATULATiONS!!!!!

Congratulations! glad you got the breast feeding sorted out...im off to a breast feeding group at the hospital tmrw as having a few problems (!)
Its amazing isnt it...i am still up in the clouds!

Lou & 6 day old Lottie xx

What a lovely birth story! She sounds perfect!!!

Well done to you both and welcome to the world baby hannah!!!

Kate 37+3 xxx

"Awww "

Thanks Ann for posting your birth story...I just love reading how the new mums got on delivering their babies! You did really well! Welcome baby Hannah! You must be delighted to be holding your wee baby in your arms at last!

tc Sharon 24wk pink bump xx