Arrival story

Well after 2 false alarms (read more in the pregnancy diary from week 32) and the last 4 weeks on bed rest, I was really not going to be fooled again - or was I.

I woke around 2am on Thurs 18 June with pains but convinced myself to relax and not take it too seriously. By the time Steve woke I was wondering if it was actually something more and decided to get checked. I was after all just over 36 weeks and was expecting some action anytime. I went to Figtree just after 10am and they checked things out. After an hour on the monitor they could see they were in fact contractions and I was 2cm dialated (I found out later) but nothing else was happening. They asked me to go for a walk around for an hour and come back - hoping to bring things on but it was still the same. I headed home again almost in tears thinking I have no idea what was doing and was this child ever going to arrive. They did not indicate it was as close as it was though so I was also very frustrated. Steve had arranged for Rachel to go to his parents for th enight in case so we decided to let her go anyway as she was lookign forward to that and it meant I could get some rest/sleep while Steve worked the afternoon shift. I spent the afternoon on the lounge still having contractions. When everyone had left me I gave baby bummp a stern talking too saying I was not amused by the false alarms and better get out here sooner rather than later. I was sick of sitting around at home and had Rachels birthday coming up and things I was not able to physically get doing. I reminded baby it was daddys last afternoon shift and then he had 3 nights off so another good reason to get moving tonight as it meant less time Steve had to take off work. Anyway sometime after that I dozed off until the phone rang and my mother was checking on me. She had a "feeling" when I went into prem labour too as we dicussed later. At around 11pm I thought the contractiosn were getting stronger and more regular but again was not going to get excitted. Steve got home around midnight and could see I was still uncomfortable but I decided I would go to bed. I lasted 10 min and got up to pace the house. Steve asked if I was ok and I said I was not going to be fooled again so he should get some sleep and if there was waters breaking or something else significant I would let him know. Over the next hour the pain got really strong and I could hardly stand up at times let alone walk. I paced and grunted and told myself I was not going ot give in to another false alarm. Finally at around 1.30 I woke Steve and said 4min apart think we should head tot eh hospital. He looked at me and started to ask if I was sure this time when I got a contraction - I think that convinced him and he can move quite quickly around the house :-)

We got to the hospital about 2am and they did the check. My waters had not broken but contractions were about 3min apart. They took us intot he birthing unit and I went to have a bath while Steve went to get my bag from the car. The warm water felt nice but the nurse reminded me if I wanted an epidural I had to be out of the bath and on the bed before she could call him. I decided that I might run out of time if I stayed in the bath and was really figative and restless anyway - no where was going to be comfortable at that time. As I got out of the bath I also started to vomit - great here we go again I thought. After a check I was 5cm dialated and got a maxalon injection. The midwife asked if I still wanted the epidural to which I said "yes please". He arrived and gave me the epidural at about 4.30am. That was a huge relief as I dont concentrate well with contractions. You really have no idea of pain until you have been through childbirth ! I spent the next 3hrs working though each contraction as we waited for Dr McCosker who arrived around 7am at which time I could feel the epidural waering off. I asked for a top up as I knew the serious stuff was about to start and I was not going ot cope. So the pushing started and I was certainly very exhausted by this time. Remember I had been having contractiosn for about 29hours already. In the end I was cut and suction was used to bring our beautiful daughter Jessica Marie Lunn into the world at 7.40am on Friday 19 June 2009.

Jessica was so alert from the moment she came out and was out on my chest for a cuddle. Steve cut the cord and we had a few pics. She latched on for a feed really easily and I was surprised that this time I might be able to feed her myself. I was able to hold her for a few hours before they even took her for a weigh in and check. Steve left around 8.30 to pick Rachel up from his parents as she had school but was goingot bring her back to meet her sister. Jessica fed for about an hour and then Rachel & Steve arrived back. Rachel was so excitted she had a little sister at last. Steve was pretty proud and had 3 girls in his family now to look after. I even caught a tear of happiness in his eyes but he would never admit that. Our family was now complete - two gorgeous girls and lots of fairy costumes, make up and only knows what else in the future.

Click to see some of the hospital photos