After all my posts about naturally inducing labour and a false start Thursday night, I am now the proud mum of a beautiful little boy!!

Started getting contractions Friday lunchtime, kind of small waves of pain around the bottom of my stomach - can't describe them as period like or anything else - unique! Started getting stronger and closer together until about 8pm when they were coming every 5 minutes and lasting a minute and a half each. Pain was stopping me in my tracks and I couldn't breathe normally through them. Phoned labour ward about 10pm to tell them, and midwife said come in when the pain gets unbearable, or they are only 2-3 mins apart as it is my first baby and labour can progress slowly etc... Sat through another few hours till about 2 o'clock when my OH decided they were painful enough for us to need to go in. Arrived to be told I was 3-4cm dilated which was a big relief - dreading being told I was only 1 or 2 as the pain was getting strong. Again the pain was unique, and although it was bad (I won't lie!) I could manage it at this point.

Admitted to ward and started on gas and air - to be honest it didn't stop the pain during the contraction but the buzz between was very nice - made you feel a little spaced out and not really there which was a welcome distraction!

Was checked 4 hours later and was 6-7cm dilated, was very tired by this point and pain was spacing me out. Luckily this made the time seem to go by quicker and I don't think I was totally with it by this point - pain was so bad I couldn't move throughout it and was shouting at anyone who talked during my contractions although wasn't really making any sense myself when shouting at people.

About an hour later I remember feeling an odd dropping feeling inside during a contraction and a huge need to push. I also was sick which I think marked the transition phase, and my waters broke at this point. I remember reading on another birth story about a woman just 'knowing' when to push, and it really is true - you just know immediately. I didn't tell the midwife however, incase he said don't push as you aren't dilated or something (realise how silly this was now but at time it seemed right) and instead decided enough was enough and needed an epidural as I really wanted to die in this last stage (sorry to all you pregnant ladies but the pain is agony - I cannot think of any other way to describe it FOR ME PERSONALLY, I know some people it isn't - if I ever do it again it will be with pain relief!). The midwife was just about to check how far I was for the epidural, and had just put in a drip (huge needle which I'm usually scared of, I just begged for him to put it in!) when I let out some weird kind of scream when everyone in the room immediately knew the baby was coming, even though no one knew if I was fully dilated. The pain changed immediately - like the pains were more for a reason and motivation to do them - slightly more manageable but the noises I made were mad when I think about them now! Felt the baby coming down, was screaming so much during each contraction that baby wasn't really moving so the midwife told me if I stopped making so much noise and put the effort into pushing it would all be over. Our son was born two pushes later! Slight burning, but not as bad as some people made out - fear of the burning some women mentioned stopped me pushing properly but luckily it wasn't too bad. And cliche I know, but I would have gone through it all again for him! Really does hit you when its over and such an amazing relief. Afterbirth is easy - didn't feel anything, had the injection. Don't know how but managed a first birth in 9 hours, with only gas and air, and no stitches or tearing. All in all was hugely lucky and although the pain shocked me, it was a great birth and I am hugely thankful!

Our unamed little man was 6lb 7oz, 6 days early and absolutely perfect - he is so beautiful it is unreal! Looks like a mini version of his dad - both of whom are curled up on the sofa resting. Am so over the moon I can't even explain and labour does now seem like a distant nightmare - totally surreal and life with our little man seems perfect and totally normal.

Glad its all over though! Thanks to everyone who helped with my questions over the last few months, and hopefully will speak to some of you now as a new mum and not a pregnant newbie!

Sarah & gorgeous blue-eyed blonde boy 1 day old xxx

"Well done sarah "

You did really well Sarah! Big congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby boy!

Thanks for posting such a nice birth story and including how you were feeling at each stage as it gives us mums to be a great insight into the coping of mums at various stages of labour. You did really well on the gas and air only!

Cant wait to see some pics of your wee baby! Hugs..Sharon 34wks today pink bump x

Hope you're enjoying it and a name comes to you soon.

xxx

"Congratulations "

Glad you had such a good birth Reading stories like yours makes me less scared about when my time comes!

Take care and enjoy your gorgeous little boy

Rach xx 17wk+3