Josa's birth story

I went and cavorted in a birthing pool - fun, but no effect on the pain. Thoby told me an interminable funny story, which did help because I giggled. I noticed on the trace of baby's heartbeat and contractions that the heartbeat dipped dramatically at the peak of the contractions. I asked about this, and was told it was fine because it immediately recovered. However, a doctor was called in to have a look. I wasn't told until afterwards (they didn't want to increase my anxiety), but this was clear evidence that the cord was around the baby's neck. This is extremely common and no problem at all in the hands of an experienced midwife.

This was the only pain relief I used when Maud was born, but this time, it made absolutely no difference at all - I could have borne it if I had known I was near the end. But when Risi examined me, she found I was only 3cms dilated. She then proposed Syntocin - another hormone that brings on strong, sometimes double peaked, contractions, which is administered intravenously. I crumpled completely and asked for a walking epidural. This is a new kind of epidural, which uses a different drug, and doesn't numb you completely from the waist down like an old style one.

My back was covered with red-coloured antiseptic, and lines were inserted in my hand and arm. Thoby nearly fainted when he saw the size of the needle that went into my lower back. I was able to relax immediately, and lay under a kind of cotton blanket on my side. I could feel pain, but it was bearable. After about 20 minutes of sighing with relief and easily riding the contractions, it became a bit unbearable again and I asked for a top up. An examination showed five centimetres and, at last, I felt as if something was happening. I settled down to rest and wait for what I thought would be a long haul.

After about half an hour, I told Risi that I could feel a lot of fluid coming out at every contraction. Risi went to change the draw sheet, and paused. Thoby said afterwards that he would never forget the look of surprise on her face.