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I got to hospital at around 10.45am. The midwife didn't seem in a rush to see me and I was trying to stay relaxed and avoid talking, so I didn't debate with her. She asked me to pee in a cup before examining me. Totally pointless, I could barely stand, let alone aim! Then she did the exam and... "Whoops, you're 8cm"! She was shocked. I was whizzed up to the labour ward and as soon as I got into the room I needed to push. I pushed for almost two hours. I tried using gas & air and although I didn't feel any different, it gave me something to focus my breathing on! My husband was fantastic (a key benefit of the classes for me, was how confident and in control it made him during my labour). The midwife was also great. They both had a good laugh when I told them I'd changed my mind about giving birth naturally and asked for a cesarean and pain relief, about half an hour before she was born. I was so insistent, that in the end I was given two paracetamol!
Maia was born at 13.38. 6 hours from start to finish. She was purple and a bit swollen, but beautiful! I was definitely in shock when she appeared, I had expected to be crying with joy (thanks again, Hollywood movies) but I couldn't do anything other than gape at her in shock, with my mouth open. I was so stunned that I also mistakenly announced we'd had a boy, rather than a girl... The third stage took longer for me than expected, but was over about an hour later. Physically, I was lucky enough to have a textbook recovery. I didn't need any stitches, which I put down to the gradual pushing and the techniques I used. We had skin to skin and the midwives left us to spend a couple of hours with her alone, before moving us down to the ward. I then had a night in hospital before being discharged the next day and I didn't sleep a wink of course. I had no idea what to do with this tiny baby (the NHS doesn't provide a manual?!)
I think my shock took about a week to overcome and it was only then, that I suddenly felt the elated rush people tell you about. I remember thinking I must be odd, not to have felt it instantly, but I have since learnt that many other mums take a few weeks or more to feel that connection to this tiny human who has suddenly appeared in their lives.
Considering my initials concerns about birth, I have to say it was an incredibly positive and empowering experience. Despite my preparation however, I wasn't expecting such a quick labour. People often tell me I'm therefore lucky and to start with I found I was almost apologetic about my "great" birth versus others who perhaps feel their experience was less than ideal. But at the end of the day every birth is different. You still need to get to 10cm and honestly I think I'd rather have gotten there just a little more gradually! It's the hardest I've ever worked and I was so proud of myself afterwards! I think that every woman that gives birth, no matter how they chose to do so, is amazing.
My daughter is now a funny, kind and determined 3 year old and I marvel every day that we created such a wonderful little person.