And so off we went to the hospital at about 6pm, it was the worst car journey ever, the pain was so intense. 
I got checked into the hospital and taken into one of the birthing rooms. Then I was examined by one of the midwives, and told I was only a centimetre or two dilated. I was shocked, it felt as if the baby was almost ready to make an appearance! I was told to go home for a couple of hours, but couldn’t believe it. There was no way I could go through that journey home, never mind coming back again when the pain was even worse. They suggested some codeine and a walk around the grounds. That seemed a better option than getting in the car again, so stroll around the hospital we did.
Walking and then pain, doubled over in agony for about a hour, then sat in an empty reception, pacing, then sitting, then pacing again. After a couple of hours we went back up to the ward. I was examined again, and was told I was seriously going into labour now, I think I had already guessed that!
The Pain Of Pregnancy
Into a gown, on the bed, the prodding and poking started, the pain was horrendous and then came the gas and air, drugs, finally! It helped curb the pain, an
d was a welcome relief! The pain got worse, and worse, all I wanted was an epidural.But the midwife, who was more like a matron from a Carry On film, said it was too late. When was time called for an epidural? There was no notice given, weren’t they supposed to give me some warning or something! This woman was determined I was going to have a birth as au naturel as possible!
I did get an injection of pethidine in the bottom, that certainly eased the pain, and was a drunk kind of it out feeling. I was told by my hairdresser to avoid as it made her feel queasy. She said it was like she was so out of it she didn’t really remember the birth. By this point though I just didn’t care, I wanted pain relief in whatever way, shape or form it came.
Pain Relief In Pregnancy
To cut a long story short, and to save you the gory details, at 1.33am my son was born. We didn’t know if it was going to be a boy or girl, but had the name Harry picked out for a boy. So at least we had a name, Harry was finally here.
I know most women you see on TV, or the stories you hear, of that first moment when they see or hold their baby is one they’ll remember forever, but I hate to say what my first thought was… Oh my God, the pain, how do women do this more than once? That is it for me!
Harry was then handed over to Dad while I was examined, there was tearing and Doctor came in to stitch me up. The pain was horrendous, so I was wheeled down to theatre for stitches and a spinal block.
Proud Parent
So now the baby was born, I was in agony, and now I get the pain relief I was so desperately shouted, literally shouted for. I wasn’t a pretty site by that point! So the next 12 hours I was numb from the waist down. However after I’d come round from giving birth, then surgery, I finally got the feeling. The one I thought I was supposed to have as soon as my son was placed in my arms, the feeling of overwhelming love.
I can tell you at this point the last thing on my mind was my active Maternity wear.
More on my personal journey of giving birth April 2011 The Baby Is coming
