00.05

So here is what I remember...

Sunday 23rd of May - last decent nights sleep! Surprisingly I wasn't awake all night worrying & wondering about the inducement, I slept pretty well.

Monday 24th of May - last minute running around & packing bags for me, Darren & baby for the hospital - not that we needed half of the stuff anyway!

Monday evening - after being teary on & off all day, every time I thought about this being our last day of just us. We headed to Sizzler at Kogarah for dinner before going to the hospital. At this point I felt excited to get started - but anxious to get started!

Checked in about 7pm, was put in room 13 (lucky for me) with one other girl, Alex, who was also being induced. Got my first hospital ID since I was born put on my wrist. And was then given an ultrasound so they could check the baby's position. Then they stuck a bloody great cannula needle in my arm that irritated me all night & wasn't even being used!!

First internal - very uncomfortable & painful. Was told that I am 1 centimetre dilated & she can feel the baby's head. She then inserted the first dose of Gel to start the cervix thinning. Then I had the belly monitor on to check for movement & any contractions. I asked Darren to adjust the bed - he hit the wrong thing & dropped it totally down! It was only funny because it didn't hurt!

After about 30 minutes I started having small contractions about every 15 minutes or so. Nothing really strong or serious. Darren left around 10ish & I tried to sleep, but it was very hard in the uncomfortable bed, with the cannula in my arm & all the hospital noise. I ended up playing Yahtzee on my iPhone at 1am!

Finally got some sleep only to be woken at 5.45 for another internal & a second dose of gel - I was still only 1 centimetre dilated but apparently the cervix was softer. I was put back on the monitor again. After being freed from the monitor I had my breakfast & was still having mild contractions. Mum & Darren arrived at around 9am & we just sat for a bit & walked the ward for a bit. All the while my contractions were getting stronger & closer little by little. Eventually I laid back down. The hospital has a policy of all visitors leaving between 12.30 & 3pm for a mandatory rest period (little Amazing Race there!) So Mum & Darren walked down to St George Leagues Club for lunch & to meet Jess. I had my lunch & tried to rest, but it was really noisy & someone was drilling something!

Mum, Darren & Jess came back. I think we just talked & ate & tried to play cards. Don't really remember. I do know that the cannula that kept me awake all night ended up having to be removed because it broke or something & then it took 3 different people 6 attempts to get another 2 into me. Besides being extremely painful, they ended up putting them into my hands - therefore limiting my use of my hands & really pissing me off.

I had a 3rd lot of gel put in at about 5 pm. And things started moving then. Much more painful & consistent contractions, I did manage to eat my dinner in between them though. Luckily cause it was my last opportunity to eat.

After this point it's a bit blurry -

Deb Mather visits.

Have another internal & am told I'm at 3 centimetres.

Pain gets stronger & closer.

Darren keeps notes of timing & length of contractions.

Jess & Darren start massaging my back during contractions.

Everyone takes turns giving me water & holding my hand.

I ask Darren to lay on the bed behind me, I'm feeling overwhelmed & upset & I really need a cuddle. He gets on the bed somehow. I have 2 more contractions while crying & getting a hug then suddenly something "pops" inside me - not my water breaking but more of a position move by the baby - whatever it was it bloody killed & I yelled at Darren "GET OFF THE BED!!!!" poor man never moved so fast!

From then on things get much more painful. And I start yelling. And I don't stop til the baby is out!

At some point my water breaks - I'm convinced I've peed the bed - but everyone else knows what really happened! I'm offered a shower but can't fathom getting off the bed, I'm then offered pethidine - I take it! - this doesn't ease the pain but makes me dozy in between contractions.

At around 10ish they decide to finally take me to the delivery suite. I'm asked if I can walk I hear Mum say "No". So I somehow, with help get into a wheelchair - I have more contractions on the way - in the lift foyer & in the hallway of the delivery suite.

While I was still on the ward, the room felt small & secure & I had stuff to hang onto during contractions - the side of the bed, the pull you up hanger thingy & I was bouncing my feet on the end of the bed as a bit of a distraction technique. Once I got into the delivery room I felt like the space was too bright & too big, I had nothing to hang onto - just people's hands - but this was hard because the finally used the cannula's & attached me to a drip in each hand. It was uncomfortable & scary.

The midwife was very matter of fact & not full of information. She just kept telling me not to push. Not pushing was not an option!! My body just did whatever it felt like.

I was in the delivery suite for about 1 & 1/2 hours but it feels like it was about 10 minutes to me. I know the yelling got louder & primal & I don't feel like there were any breaks. Then the head was out & then the shoulders felt stuck for a bit & then he was out & I immediately felt 100% better!

Time - 00.05

Date - 26.05.2010

Weight - 3700grms

Length - 52.2 cms

A beautiful baby boy. I still can't believe it. Darren & I have been so blessed to get to have this life experience.

Welcome to the world Jack Thomas Robinson.

I hope we do you proud.