It's quite long, but here goes...
My waters broke at 8.30pm on Friday 10th April. Almost immediately afterwards I began having contractions which were about 15 minutes apart and last about 30 seconds. I decided to go for a walk and then to bed to see if that would help things along. I was still having them when I went to sleep, but as soon as I had they stopped completely. I went in for an examination on Saturday at 2.30 to see if it was my waters and they said yes, but that it was my hind waters and if I hadn't gone into labour I would be induced the following day. 10.30am Sunday I went in to be induced and then left on the ward for things to happen. I was having a few pains, but by morning still nothing had happened. Then at 4pm I was taken over to the labour ward to be placed on a drip. The drip was inserted and was doubled in strength every 30 minutes for the next 4 hours. Within the last hour I began having very mild, short contractions, but when examined I had not progressed at all. So they continued increasing the drip every 30 minutes for a further 2 hours and when examined again I had only become slightly softer. So it was yet another 2 hours on the drip with contractions becoming stronger and more regular. Then a consultant came and examined me and I was just 1cm dilated, but he managed to break my waters. Unfortunately the drip had been put in incorrectly and I had a massive tissue build up in my left arm so he moved the drip and took some bloods. By now I had started using the gas and air as the drip continued for another 30 minutes before they increased it. The drip had been put up too high and I began over contracting so that I had no break between very strong contractions for just over an hour. This made me very sick and extremely tired. They turned the drip down and examined me shortly afterwards, I was only just 3cm dilated! I couldn't believe it, I became very disheartened as it was not turning out anything like I planned and because of the drips and monitor I was unable to move around. However the contractions became stronger and very regular over the next few hours and I had to have a shot of pethidine. However I was using my breathing techniques and found that I was really relaxed in between contractions and slept through some of them. At this stage the midwife had said to my mum and partner that she thought it would be another 4 hours at least, but I had become more antsy and said that I felt like I needed to push. She told me not to be silly and said she would examine me. I had the news I'd been waiting for, I was 10cm and ready to push. I couldn't believe it I was so relieved and excited and both my mum and Dave burst into tears. The pushing was really controlled and I had approximately a minute between contractions where I could relax. It took 30 minutes of pushing and she was out and placed directly onto my chest. Isabelle Rose Gaudion was born 6.42am, 14th April, weighing 7lb 2oz. I was then given an injection to deliver the placenta and my mum began taking photos, much to my delight! I was so happy and felt as soon as she was born that I could do it all again. Although I was unable to move around as planned that breathing techniques proved invaluable. I feel so proud of my little girl and wish everyone who's still to have there babies the best of luck!
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