"Birth of 1st Child"

My waters broke on the morning of my due date and was confirmed by the Clarendon Wing. I was sent home with instructions to return in 24h if natural labour had not begun.

It did begin overnight, but not enough to return before early morning.

There were some delays before induction finally began at 1pm (I was monitored and sent for a bath despite having showered before arriving!).

Eventually, because of the delays we couldn't wait to see if a pessary worked so went straight for the drip, and hence had epidural also (had been awake 30h by this point).

Our delivery midwife was v good, newly qualified, and had a student with her, and they stayed with us at all times. Both were very reassuring.

Labour progressed quite quickly and by 5pm I was ready but advised to rest for an hour. We turned down the epi and waited until 6pm to push. Unfortunately after an hour of pushing the baby was becoming distressed, and eventually was brought out by forceps, with two consultants and three midwives helping.

TBH it wasn't pleasant but as good as it could be given the circumstances. All was well after delivery, however cuts and tears weren't very well stitched and did cause problems for many months after.

My only gripe was the postnatal ward and the breastfeeding advice. All MW had a different opinion and sent us into a spin. We were grabbed and squeezed however not equipped with enough experience to go home and do it alone. Shame. There just wasn't enough MW to go round all the new mums.