Second labour wasn't faster

Zoe tells her birth story: Things kicked off about 2am on Friday morning. OH and I were on edge as my son's labour had been quick and we didn’t know what to expect with this one.

Everyone had said subsequent labours are quicker and so on…

I was admitted onto the labour suite at about 8am. Things were still going on but they were slowing down and after a few hours I was starting to wonder how much longer this stage would go on and if I’d have the energy to go on.

I think the midwives had the same thought as they were bringing me orange juice and cotton wool with clary sage oil on it to try and make things more regular.

I had been having strong regular contractions for hours and yet my waters were still holding so at 2pm the midwife broke them, which sorry to say was agony…

I think especially because as they were broken I went from 3cm to 6cm in a matter of seconds!

Around 4pm the midwife came in and said that she was going to check me over and if there hadn’t been enough progress we would have to start discussing possibly moving me upstairs to the consultant ward, which by this point was actually sounding quite nice to me!

It was only at this point that I began using the gas and air. In a last-ditch attempt to get things moving they filled a birthing pool for me.

When the pool was ready I stood up from being slumped on all fours over a bean bag, gravity then showed its true force and brought me right back down. All I remember is the midwife saying he’s coming… now!

Contractions ended and I made it across the hallway to the pool; 31 minutes later Samuel was in my arms!

He entered the world in a superman pose which ended up causing a tear. A non-perineal tear which is not fun to have stitched up.

In all, this labour was about 14 hours longer and much more painful then with my son but looking at what I have to show for it - I'd do it again! (Glutton for punishment!)

Sam weighed in at 7lbs 9oz and was born on my mum’s 60th birthday. How’s that for timing?!'

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