My gorgeous little guy Rafael arrived on 27/01/17, 53cms and 3.130kg.

I was induced at 39 weeks due to placenta calcification issues. The day was finally here and I arrived to the hospital at 7am, completed paperwork and made it to my room. My obstetrician broked my waters around 8.30am and the IV was in place with the proper medication to induce labour. My husband left at 9am to take my dogs to the kennel, induced labour =long process right? I dilated to 2cms in 3.5 hours, contractions were very painful but my back pain was killing me (have always had a bad back), used gas for one hour but it was the most horrible feeling ever. I asked the midwife to take it away from me as it was making me feel I was wondering around the room completely detached from my body... weird!!! Asked to ve checked again and still sitting on 2cms by 11.30am so I got the epidural, yes at 2cms 😭😥 contractions were really strong and only 2 mins apart. Husband arrived and I didn't know when to be honest, anesthesiologist arrived and my husband took charge of the situation. Getting the epidural while having a contraction wa x hard but I didn't feel the needle or even thought about it as I was lost in the pain. Fell asleep 15 mins later (around 12.30pm), woke up at 3.30pm and gad something to eat, midwife checked me and I dilated to 8cm and by 5.20pm I was already pushing. I got to see everyth I ng as a mirror was placed on the bed for me to see the progress. Baby was born at 6pm but my placenta wasn't coming out. I was in theatre by 6.30pm and it had to be manually removed, good idea to get the epidyral as doctors had to intervene very quickly. I can definitely say the epidural saved the day!!!

Quite a long post but my lessons as a first time mum are:

1. Keep the communication with the people around you so they know how you are feeling at all times.

2. Epidural will cost the same if you get it at 2 or 8cms so if you need it or want ut just do it.

3. Always be open to constant change during labour, don't set your mind on a birthplan (good thing I didn't have one at all)

4. I received 3 stitches for a tear near my labia. Perineal massage worked for me (thanks hubby).

5. I was embarrassed of my hemorrhoids and worried about poo during pushing... honestly once you are there nothing matters. Doctors and midwives have seen worse.

6. Your mission is to walk out of the hospital with a healthy baby, how this is done is not and how long it takes shouldn't be the most important part of the journey.