birth story

This week my baby will turn 1 so I wanted to share my birth story because I think it should be written down for him. I am not much of a storywriter because I’m bad at embellishment and poignant details, but here it is ‘just the facts’ style as I will tell it to my son.

I had been waiting for you. I knew you would be coming soon. At 38 weeks pregnant, I got up one September morning and my waters broke. The first sign that you were on your way. We left your brother gardening with Grandma and headed to the hospital.

At the hospital, they told me that my contractions would probably start in the next 24 hours. I was 3 cm dilated. At home that day I had irregular contractions all day. I was watching the carpenters install new wardrobes in our bedrooms. We’d wanted them done before you arrived, but we only just made it. The house was a mess with piles of stuff to go in those cupboards stacked everywhere.

That night the contractions became strong and regular and your dad and I went back to the hospital. I had strong contractions for nearly 3 hours as you moved into position. The midwife checked how dilated I was and said 4 cm. I was very discouraged after 3 hours of contractions and a feeling that I couldn’t cope with any greater pain.

But 5 minutes later I was ready to push (the midwife may have made a mistake). After a 3 hour 50 minute labour you arrived - 3.96 kg and 52 cm long – another perfect baby boy to join our family.