at the hospital
10/04/2006
10/04/2006 - We're going home...
10/04/2006 - First nappy
eeeeuuurgh....
10/04/2006 - tired parents
10/04/2006 - Second visitor!
Aunty Anne Marie
10/04/2006 - first visitors
Dilys and Peter with their first grand daughter.
10/04/2006 - sleepy time...
10/04/2006 - Tiny fingers!
10/04/2006 - Proud Dad
10/04/2006
About 2 hours old - after her first feed.
10/04/2006
midwife holding Elizabeth up for a photo.
10/04/2006
about one hour old.
09/04/2006 - The time has come...
Clare in the nursery reading up on what is going on! Why's it all happening so fast!
We had read that contractions start slow and mild, and when they are five minutes apart and about a minute each you should call the hospital. Clare had some pain at about 9:30, then 6 or 7 minutes later it happened again. Contractions we thought? Bit close together, and not that mild either!
A couple of hours later, after trying the TENS machine (not much help) and a warm bath, we called the hospital. "Contractions five minutes apart" we said, "but only been going on for 2.5 hours." Bit early they said.
Half an hour later, and they were only 3 minutes apart, so we decided to go to the hospital. Bit early we thought, but better get checked out even if they send us home again. When we got there we waited in reception for 15 minutes or so, then a midwife came to check Clare over. "Your fully dilated. Your having this baby now! I'll get you a room". We were a bit shocked!
It was too late for an epidural or pethedin, and the gas and air didn't seem to help at all, so Clare did it all pain relief free. Not part of the birth plan!
At 3:35 she was born, weighing 6lbs and 9 ounces. Would have been even quicker except Elizabeth came out with her hand next to her face.