Finally after 40 weeks - 281 days - Keva Rose Renshaw was born.

Around 9pm on my due date, I decided to try nipple stimulation not thinking anything of it and having tried everything else I thought why not.

Within 5 minutes I had a braxton hick so gave it a rest and then decided to try again once it had gone. Again, another braxton hick. I did this once more then decided enough was enough.

For some reason I had this instinct just to get on my birthing ball. After 10 bounces and thinking I was going to wee, I got up and bam. There go my waters. A few squelches to the bathroom and it was evident I hadn't just weed myself. 2 pairs of pants, 2 liners and 2 maternity pads later I decided to phone the hospital who asked me to come in. This was around 10.30pm.

Got to the hospital at 11pm and contractions were just starting. Very mild and no pain relief needed. Was hooked to a monitor for an hour, babys heartbeat was great and my contractions had gone to 8 mins apart.

Because we live an hour round trip from the hospital they decided to put us straight in a labour room.

By this time it was around 12.45 and they decided to do an internal exam just to see how far on I actually was. 2 cm. I could have cried!

I laboured for another 2 hours, they checked again and I was 3cm. By this time the effects of the entinox weren't really there anymore and my contractions were becoming unbearable as baby was back to back. So I decided on diamorphine. That was administered at 4am.

I managed to get a little nap once that had started to work, and woke around 7. 30am by the diamorphine wearing off.

I laboured for around another hour before calling the midwife to get an epidural as again the contractions were intense and the entinox was no longer having an effect.

She didn't come to check me again until 10am as they were short staffed!

Unfortunately I was at 9 cm and and could no longer get an epidural!

So again I laboured for another hour with nothing until I was 10cm and ready to push.

I was overall pushing for 2 hours as contractions slowed slightly and I was in a variety of positions.

Finally at 1.11pm I was able to push my little girl out, with no pain relief at all!!

Our bodies are amazing!

Good luck to all Mamas about to do the same ♥

Keva Rose Renshaw. 6lbs 12oz. ♥