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A dad's view of birth
Gail was expecting her fourth baby, although this was my first. She had had two water births before, when she lived on the south coast, and she really wanted one this time.
Milton Keynes General Hospital was having a birthing pool installed, but it would not be ready for when she was due to deliver. She was most upset about it, and it wasn't my fault for a change, but we discussed it and decided that what will be will be.
'This is going to be it'That's what she told me, when I came home on Thursday 17th January. Having had a false alarm, I thought, 'OK, we'll see', trying not to get up my hopes - but obviously this could be interpreted as uninterested.
Gail had a fairly good night, but when I woke up at 4am - my normal time to go to work - I asked her if I should set off. 'You'd better not,' she replied. I said that this had better not be a false alarm. Gail assured me it wasn't.
We then spent the next couple of hours giving the house a spring clean, organising our friend to pick the boys up from school, and then stay the night at our house if necessary. I don't know how many of you text on your phones, but I nearly melted the network telling everyone I was going to be a dad.
Standing by
It was about 12 noon when Gail said she wanted to phone the hospital. This was good, I thought, she hadn't really complained about contractions or anything. Still remaining calm, I called our friend and put her on standby.
The hospital said she'd better come in. They then phoned back to say that Gail's midwife Susan had explained that she wanted a water birth, and that they were prepared to let her use the birthing pool a week before it is officially opened. 'Result,' I thought. 'She'll be in a really good mood.'
I felt like a tool
Gail went into full labour at around 2pm on Friday 18th January. When we got to the hospital, she was assessed and our other midwife Julia said she was 4cm dilated already. Despite my protests, she came with me to the car to get the bag. While we were out there, the contractions jumped from five minutes to really strong and every two minutes. We had to stop at various points on the way. I was thinking that she should have stayed, and this will be fun if her waters go.
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