Trigger warning- C-section under GA.

On Monday 18 Jan I started getting really bad back pain around my kidneys that came on suddenly and kept getting worse. I phoned labour line and they thought it could be early back labour, but I knew this wasn't the case.

Phoned 111 (non emergency medical assistance in UK) and the told me to go to A&E.

The next couple of days were hell. The pain was really bad and I couldn't stop being sick. They suspected a severe kidney infection, but something else was also going on and they couldn't work out what.

Early Thursday morning and they were monitoring baby. She had been fine but they started to notice her heart rate dropping, but not overly concerned and said they would monitor me again in a couple of hours.

They started the monitoring again and her heart rate was still dropping. At this point the doctor wanted me on the labour ward and said if things don't improve then I'll be having a C-section. My poor husband got a tearful call from me, a bit surprised, giving him the heads up.

After a couple of minutes in delivery her heart rate dropped but didn't recover. They tried different positions but nothing worked and the emergency button was pressed. No time for a spinal/epidural so I was put to sleep.

My husband got the call to get to the hospital and the poor guy didn't really know what was going on, other than there was no time to wait. Glad I wasn't in the car with him on that journey. Having to drive whilst thinking the worst.

After a minute of being under our beautiful little girl was born. She needed a little help getting going, but was very healthy other than that.

Sadly, she needed to be monitored so was in NICU for a couple of days, nil by mouth for one day, and needed to be under lights for jaundice, but a

week later and we were allowed to take her home.

It's been crazy. She was born at 38+1 and I was adamant that we had more time, but you can't always predict these things.

This is also my second C-section too, and the recovery has been brilliant so far (had a rough one with my son).

Although this was not in the plan, so glad my little girl and I are healthy. Had I not gone to hospital or been sent home (they were thinking of discharging me on the Wednesday), then we may have lost her.

They never got to the bottom of why I was so ill, but I believe this was my bodies way of saying she needed to come.

Eleanor Mary Jane Gray born 21st January, 9.47 am weighing 6lb 10oz (with a very proud big brother).