We headed to the hospital at am for our induction. After few hours of waiting I was examined and told that although my cervix was soft it was a way from being ready.
So a nurse inserted the pessary. We had a walk around the hospital to try to get things going – we walked up and down the stairs and then popped to the coffee shop (mmm treats!). I had lunch there and then had a bit of a rest and I listened to my hypnobirthing CD to try and relax.
After that we decided to do more walking! This time a nice outside route around the nearby shops of the hospital. I did feel a few tightening in my belly, but nothing more, the midwifes were more interested in if I had any back pain, but I didn’t so it didn’t seem like anything was happening! I stayed overnight but still nothing seemed to happen.
The next morning I had a few slightly stronger tightenings, but when the midwife examined me there was still not much happening! So pessary number two went in! This luckily did seem to make a difference!
I had a lunch and the contractions had started, We had another walk around (yet more stairs!) and when we got back, the contractions had got slightly uncomfortable. I was making a lot of noise by this point!! I went to the loo and there was a bit of blood. The midwife said most probably my ‘show’! And had a look and I was 4cm!!! Hooray! Things were properly starting!
We moved to the labout ward and met our new midwife. I tried a bit of gas and air but it made me feel dizzy and sick so I just breathed through every contraction. The breathing techniques definitely took the edge off things and gave me something to focus on which was just what I needed. Phew.
A bit later though I was still 4cm dilated so after a bit of discussion (thanks to the hypnobirthing course we knew the questions to ask that was great), the midwife broke my waters. The actual breaking of my waters wasn’t pleasant, but it was ok, and yes things did progress quickly after this!
Baby was making its way down and I need to push, I’m not going to lie, it hurt!!! Thankfully, my efforts paid off and at just after 7pm, a 8lb8oz gorgeous little (well, not that little!) baby boy arrived! Overall I felt very proud of myself, going without painkillers, other than minimal gas and air.