He’s here!
Finally after 9 long months of impatiently waiting, my baby boy is here and he is simply perfect. We have named our second son Alex William and here is the story of how he came into the world and made Oli, Leo and I so very happy.
Alex’s birth story.
After going 8 days overdue with Leo, I was expecting the same thing to happen with my second pregnancy. Although I had been counting down the weeks and days until my due date for months, I was completely prepared for it to come and go without so much as a warning twinge that labour may be starting. So, when I started getting strong frequent braxton hicks the day before my due date, I chose to ignore them. Instead of spending the whole day wondering if I was in labour, I had a lazy morning while Leo was in play school and then we spent the whole afternoon making monster crafts and playing with play sand at the kitchen table.
By evening time I was still getting what I thought were braxton hicks and had a pain in my lower back. Still though I refused to let myself think that things might be starting and instead Oli and I baked some biscuits, curled up on the sofa and watched a film. When bed time rolled around I was pretty knackered but not in any pain or anything so I went to sleep totally expecting to just wake up the next day with Leo shouting in my face and to very much still be pregnant.
How wrong was I.
I woke with a start dead on 3.30am and had a very urgent need to go to the loo. While in the bathroom I noticed that nagging pain I’d had in my back was actually hurting pretty bad now and that’s when I felt the first contraction. A strong tightening pain, starting in my back before moving into my lower belly and almost taking my breath away. I stayed in the bathroom a little while longer, weirdly comforted by sitting on the toilet (!) in the quiet and counting the contractions to myself. It wasn’t long before I had to wake Oli though, these contractions were stronger than I remembered from the early stages of labour with Leo and I was in a lot of pain. Oli woke up, shocked I think that things were actually happening and he phoned the labour ward.
The midwife on the end of the phone said it sounded like I was definitely in labour (not that I needed anyone to confirm that for me!) but she wanted us to wait until the contractions were lasting a bit longer before we came in. By this point it was about 4.30am and already the contractions were 2 minutes apart and lasting nearly a minute each, it was so painful! I could hardly walk but was making myself waddle around the house as the pain was worse if I lay down or kept still. Oli ran me a bath but there was no way I was going in there, I would never have been able to get back out. I was riding out the contractions which were coming one on top of the other and Oli urged me to let him phone our babysitter so we could make a move to the hospital.
While we were waiting for my lovely step nan to arrive, Oli dashed over to work to print off the instructions for his staff to follow during his paternity leave and I spent most of that time bent over the bed trying not to lose control. I was determined to stay focused and calm, I no way wanted to start screaming the house down and to wake Leo up. When Oli got back, he helped get me dressed and once the babysitter was here it was time to head to the hospital. It was now after 5am, only an hour and a half into labour and I was already in excruciating pain and there was seriously no reprieve between contractions now. Oli had to pretty much push me through his work building (we live on site) and into the car. It was a cold October night but with all the hard work my body was doing I was sweating in just a t shirt.
By 6 in the morning we were finally at the hospital, we were shown to an assessment room and I was asking anyone who would listen for some gas and air. The pain was becoming unbearable and I desperately wanted some drugs in my system. We met our lovely midwife who examined me and surprised us all by revealing I was 8cm dilated! She said baby was back to back and that was why the pain in my back was so bad but as she was having a look around down there baby turned onto his side. After the exam I was finally allowed some gas and air and we moved to the birthing room and I asked the midwife if I could use the pool.
Oli sat with me on the sofa as the pool was being filled and things were starting to get pretty serious. The gas and air was doing nothing for the pain and by the time I got into the pool my body just started pushing by itself. All the screams I had been keeping under lock and key came out to play now and they actually helped me through the pushing better than the gas and air did! After 15minutes, lots of encouragement from Oli and the midwife and loads of burning pain, our baby boy arrived into the world. I scooped him up from under the water, hugged him to my chest and fell head over heals in love with him.
He didn’t cry though. The whole being born thing had worn him out and he had come out fast asleep. As I held him the midwife tried to get him to take a breath, he was still getting oxygen from the cord but he needed to start breathing on his own. Just as everyone was about to panic and Oli was asked to press the emergency button, Alex gave one big cry and started breathing, It was a scary couple minutes but the midwife was so calm and thanks to her I didn’t worry, I knew he’d be OK. Oli cut the cord and had his first cuddle with his new son while the midwives helped me to deliver the placenta. My labour lasted about 3 and half hours, it was all very quick and I – not surprisingly – went into shock afterwards. I was shaking really bad but once I was moved to the bed, wrapped in towels and Alex was put to my chest for his first feed, I soon relaxed and managed to calm down. I managed to get away with only 2 grazes and no stitches and, as all was fine, we were discharged home straight from the labour ward by 9.30am!
Once we were home, Leo demanded to see ‘his baby’ and wanted a cuddle straight away. Leo immediately fell in love too and is a wonderful big brother. We are all so happy, we are 10days into life as a 4 and feels like Alex has always been here with us.
So there you have it, Baby Alex William was born on Friday 21st October (his due date!) at 6.50am weighing 8lb 6oz. He has soft dark hair, blue eyes and his skin is dry after spending 9 months in amniotic fluid! He loves the boob, sleeps all day and likes to keep me up at night. He is so cuddly and squishy and, simply put, I love him loads.
Have you recently had a baby? I would love to hear your birth story. Anyone else had a really quick labour? I would love to hear about your experiences.
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Aww congratulations that is an amazing birth story. What a super mummy and gorgeous boy. Enjoy every moment xx
Huge congratulations! He is gorgeous and Alex is a lovely name – you have great taste in names – I love Leo too 🙂 What an amazing birth story – so glad it was all okay xx #MarvMondays
Oh what a gorgeous boy and such a lovely story! My second was a little like that too. I dread the labour if I ever have a third haha. #MarvMondays
Beautiful Baby Boy, Many congratulations for a safe and speedy arrival of Alex. I hope you are all enjoying the first few days 🙂
Aw that was sooo quick! Massive congrats. Your labour sounds really similar to mine; fast, pain and the pool! That pressure and intensity is crazy! He is beautiful and hope you get some zzzz soon xx #marvmondays
Sarah Howe @runjumpscrap recently posted…10 Joys of the Post Partum Period
What a cutie. Well done for doing it with so little pain relief. I have only done it once buy from talking to other mothers I have started to realise no labour is ever the same, even when you think you know what to expect from last time. #bigpinklink
Ahh reading your birth story made me well up and think of my labour 3 months ago.The birthing pool is epic dont you think I didnt get to actually have Kai in the pool we had a last minute dash to a bed because of complications. If I ever have another I’m def using the pool again. Congratulations and good luck with the sleepless nights ahead 🙂 #twinkleytuesdays
Aw….Congratulations, lovely!!! What a quick labour you had. I have always had quick labours too and the pain just rides on top of each other. For my first child, I didn’t even know I was in labour!! The photo of your two boys is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink
Agent Spitback recently posted…Mother Takes Legal Action Against “Breast Is Best” Claims as Child Turns Out to be Weird as Any Other Kid
I love this story! You’ve made me broody which I thought was impossible. Your boys are both so cute you must be such a proud mama. Wishing you all the best settling in with your new arrival #TwinklyTuesdays
Your blog is before mine on #bestandworst so hi again:-) x
Wonderful story! So glad (: Massive congratulations and well done you! #twinklytuesday
You are amazing! You already know I am so happy for you – what an amazing job you did coping! xxx #bloggerclubuk
Fi – Beauty Baby and Me recently posted…November – Birthdays, Blogfest and Baggy Jumpers!
Oh wow – huge congratulations! Alex is just beautiful! Gorgeous photos too and what a wonderful memory you have created here xx #FamilyFun
Wow that all happened so fast! No wonder you were in a bit of shock. A very happy outcome though and you all look so contented together. Enjoying these early days as a new little family of 4! xx #FamilyFun
Angela Watling recently posted…Can’t get you outta my head!
Well done you!! Sounds a bit fast and furious! Congratulations #bestandworst
Oddhogg recently posted…Baby’s First Halloween
Oh he is adorable congratulations on the safe arrival of your little man. Both my labours were very quick too, all of two hours and it is quite a shock to the system. I did the same with my second not even occurring to me I was in labour but then I was 33 weeks pregnant so I guess it wouldn’t. Well done lovey you did amazing and thank you sharing your story with us at #familyfun
Congratulations!! Ahh I love reading birth stories and yours has made me so broody (my third is only 2 months old!!!). You done so well! He’s gorgeous! Amy x
#BloggerClubUk
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Such a great story. Glad the birth went so quickly! Congratulations on your new baby boy! 🙂 #bestandworst
Massive congratulations!! Such GORGEOUS photos too!
Your birth story sounds very similar to my 2nd too – very quick, wonderful waterbirth, home in a matter of hours. Can’t complain really!
I love reading a good birthday so thanks for sharing. #FamilyFun
Lucy At Home recently posted…Bloggers Bluff #07: Bridie By The Sea
Yay for quick deliveries. I had a fairly quick one for the first time. It was great! Love the name Alex. Well done and welcome. Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Karen: TwoTinyHands recently posted…#FamilyFun Week 9
oh honey I am just thrilled for you all! I have been seeing your pics on Instagram and he is just perfect! Hopefully you will get more sleep at night soon. My labours were 6 hours with both my girls and then my son was a C-section. You did amazing!
beautiful story, I am so happy that you are both safe and healthy! He is simply gorgeous! congrats mama 😉
#BloggerClubUK
What a lovely birthday story and congratulations on the arrival of Alex William, he’s gorgeous. #coolmumclub
Wow! What a speedy entry. Well done Mama. He’s gorgeous x #coolmumclub
Kat Eat.Love.Live recently posted…A New Kind Of Normal
What gorgeous photos! Congratulations to you! I love a birth story, I’m so nosey and yours was a good one to read! #ablogginggoodtime
Rach recently posted…Comment on You Can Call Me A Quitter by absolutely prabulous
Wendy he is just perfect and it sounds as though you did incredibly well. You must be so proud. My second birth was also very quick after 45 hours with my first. I was home within 2 1/2 hours and I think still in a bit of shock! Your photos are beautiful and it’s lovely to see you enjoying your gorgeous family xx #coolmumclub
Massive congratulations lovely. He is absolutely gorgeous and I can’t believe how calm and in control you sounded. I think I’d have been at the hospital at 3.35 LOL. Well done lovely! ❤️ Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime
An imperfect mum (Catie) recently posted…#a blogging good time #23
Wow he is so gorgeous – and well done you! Reading this made me feel a little broody!
Thanks fr linking up to #coolmumclub, and hello Alex…another little #coolmumclub Baby
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What a fab birth story to read, it sounds like you handled it so well. Congratulations on the arrival of your little boy. #BloggerClubUK
Congrats! What a lovely birth story. You did amazingly well, what a quick labour. I cant believe how quickly he was born! It sounds like you go to the hospital just in the nick of time, I cant believe your other half went into the office before you headed in, good job you are onsite! 😉 Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily
Popping back over from #KCACOLS congrats again xx
Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…“I am tired of saying I am busy”
wow discharged at 9.30! what an amazingly quick birth! it sounds like it was incredibly painful but you did amazing! so happy for you 🙂 Alex is beautiful and making me broody hehe Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday!
emma me and b recently posted…Perfect Advent Calendar for Wine Lovers!
Just beautiful – congratulations!!! #KCACOLS
Oh I do love a birth story and this is another lovely one. Congratulations on your gorgeous little boy x #KCACOLS
Returning from #KCACOLS
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Oh my word he is beautiful and what a speedy labour, loved reading your birth story! Thanks for linking up a ‘best’ with the #bestandworst pop by again!
Great birth story and congratulations Wendy! Alex is gorgeous x #KCACOLS
Two grazes and no stitches is amazing, congratulations on the firth of your little one and thank you so much for joining us at #bloggerclubUK hope to see you again this week xx
Mudpie Fridays recently posted…The Best Mango Chutney Recipe Ever
I don’t know why but I read anyone’s birth story and I cry. You sound like you were so calm and did amazing..back to back labour is awful I had 32 hours of it, hopefully my second will be swifter like yours. So glad that button didn’t have to get pressed! Enjoy this time, congratulations! xx KCACOLS
Jade The Parenting Jungle recently posted…13 Reasons Why I Am A Crap Blogger. Are You One Too?
Super speedy!! Love a good birth story – thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your beautiful little boy xx #kcacols
Devon Mama recently posted…The Birth Story
lovely story and your little one is so sweet:)
#AnythingGoes
Congratulations Wendy, he’s adorable! I can’t believe you gave birth without any pain relief – you’re a warrior!
Great to hear that Alex is settling in and that Leo is bonding with. The pic of the two of them is perfect!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
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