On Wednesday the 25th October, I was 39+3 and had a doctors appointment. She offered a stretch and sweep which I happily agreed to before she had even finished the sentence. I was sore, tired and getting pretty over this pregnancy. Plus I was eager to meet this little man! Was crampy for the rest of night and next morning. Around mid morning I noticed some light contractions, but didn’t think much of them just yet. Walked around the shops for a while then home after lunch. They were starting to get a little stronger but still not enough to be bothered by them. By about 4pm they were getting a bit painful, so told hubby he should probably come home from work. Phoned our friend to collect our two boys for the night as I figured this was going to be it. Went into the hospital at about 9pm to get checked. I was at 1cm.  Absolutely gutted, the midwife asked if I wanted to stay or go home and wait it out a bit longer. I decided it would be best to go home. In the 10 minutes from then, to walking to the front door of the hospital I was in full active labour! Could barely walk and a nurse from another part of the hospital saw me and said you’re not going anywhere! She walked us back into Labour Ward. Called my student midwife to come in as she was supposed to be doing the delivery. In the room, I pretty much went straight into the shower as this is what helps the most for pain relief for me. The contractions were unbelievably intense. I was holding my breath through each one to concentrate on getting through the pain but almost passing out each time! After a while, about 2.5 hours I said I couldn’t take it anymore and I wanted drugs! Midwife said she needed to check how far along I was and had me walk back to the bed. I got there and my waters broke! We all noticed that my waters were pretty green and I knew he had done a poo. They put the heart rate monitor on and his heart rate was at 64bpm! Down from 150. This is where they started to get serious with me. I had to get up on the bed so they could check me and make sure the cord wasn’t around his neck. She could stretch me to a 10 so said Ok, we need to get this baby out! I got back off the bed and stood next to it leaning over. I was freaking out thinking I was going to lose him, so put all my energy into getting him out quickly! 10 mins and a few pushes later and he was out!! The student midwife’s first standing birth! She gave him straight to me

for skin on skin, but I was still standing and had absolutely no strength left to hold him, so off to dad he went. I climbed up on the bed and started to go into shock. Incredible pain and full body shakes I couldn’t stop. They gave me panadine forte and gas. (Who has the drugs AFTER the birth?? Lol ) Only a 1st degree tear which was pretty good after two 2nd degree tears. Few hours later and I was feeling back to normal (relatively) and enjoying my little bubba cuddles :-) Ashton Murray 3.4kg or 7pd 8, 52.5cms long. Born at 12.01am - 1 minute past midnight!