(kevin here)
After weeks and months of waiting, and us mistakenly thinking she’d be early, Edith arrived on her due date of 16th January, at 10.53pm, with a hiss and a roar.
A seemingly straightforward labour started at about 1pm and things progressed normally during the afternoon. After taking advice from a friend (whose husband had to deliver their second baby in the bathroom) we decided to walk up to the hospital (about 5 minutes away) to see how far along we were and be there in case things moved on quickly.
After a couple of hours of waiting and tests (they were very busy – we had phoned earlier to be told there were no beds) we were sent home as Charlotte was only 2cm. We got home and things progressed very quickly and we found ourselves back in hospital less than an hour after we left – luckily Polly was on hand to drive us this time.
To cut a long story short, the obstetrician had a look and decided to move things on as he had some concerns. Very quickly Charlotte was whisked into theatre to be prepped for a Caesarian. I was left holding the bags in the corridor wondering what to do next.
I’m gowned up and taken in to sit by Charlotte while there is a flurry of activity going on around us and within a few minutes Edith was with us, pink, eyes open and looking around in wonderment. Cleaned up and wrapped up warm I hold her while the surgeons finish off. She is remarkably calm and quiet.
Charlotte is staying in hospital for a few days to recover (if it had been a normal labour she would have been sent home 6 hours after giving birth) I’m sure she’ll write a much fuller account of events when she feels up to it.
All that remains for me to do is to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts while all this has been going on and to welcome Edith Rose into the world.
Hello babychops 2!
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