Nicola's Baby Blog

She's here!

Abby arrived yesterday, November 20th, at 2:48pm.  She weighed 6 lbs and 9 ounces and is super fit and healthy.  And beautiful!!

My day started yesterday with breakfast at about 8am and soon thereafter, I noticed that my waters had broken.  It started as a trickle and soon, it became a bit of the occasional gush. 

So I called the midwives first.  My primary midwife, V, had had two births throughout the night and was heading home for a much-needed sleep.  My secondary midwife, C, was there and ready to help.  She asked me some questions about how I was feeling and about the symptoms I was having.  My waters had indeed broken, that I was sure of, but I hadn't felt any contractions yet.  Just like with Jake.

C asked me to call her again around lunchtime and let her know the progress.  And obviously, I was to call if anything of any concern came up or if contractions became regular.

Then I called my Mum and sister.  My Mum had agreed to come and take care of Jake and my sister had agreed to be my second birth partner.  They hopped in the car and drove the hour or so to get here.

When they arrived, I was showered and dressed and feeling what I thought might be small contractions.  I sat myself down in the rocking chair and stayed there for a couple of hours, talking to my Mum and sister, while Stephen ran out to buy a baby car seat.  (Nope, not as organized this time!)

Around lunchtime, I stood up to call C and she asked me how I was feeling.  Fine, I said.  Having contractions that are anywhere from 5 minutes up to 11 minutes apart.  They last about 30 seconds and I would rate them about 4 out of ten for pain.  And I'm feeling them low down in the pelvis.

Early labour, C deduced.  We have a while to go yet.

So I hung up the phone, having agreed to call her at 4pm or before, should I need to. 

Within 10 minutes of getting off the phone though, I'd had 3 or 4 contractions that literally took my breath away.  The pain was hard to bear and they came fast.

I paged C and told her what was happening.  She stayed on the phone for the next 2 contractions, timing them and listening to me cry.  C said that she'd head over to our house and assess me to see if I was dilated.  She said that she'd be there within 15 minutes. 

Fifteen minutes later, I'd had numerous contractions and was in intense pain.  And C wasn't here.  Then the phone rang.  She'd gone to our old address!  Even though I'd given them our new details and even drawn a map!  Stephen told her about the new address and she said that she was on her way.  Nevermind, I told Stephen to tell her.  Meet us at the hospital!

And off we went...

21.11.06 17:20