The arrival of Rat_Girl 13 Dec 2005

It became apparent when I booked the installation of our air-conditioners 3 days prior to my due date that this would be the day baby would arrive.

So on the eve of I was madly rushing around finalising everything. Whilst doing so I was walking down one of the supermarket isles and remember this very strange very sudden pain in my back. I decided then I needed to quickly finish my shopping just in case. I remember running into a girlfriend in the car park and saying "I'm gettig home because I'm certain this baby is coming tomorrow".

At 5:20am on Tuesday 13th December 2005 I woke up for my usual trip to the toilet, nothing unusual. Except when I got up off the toilet I realised or thought I hadn't wiped myself properly. After the 3rd attempt I realised that my waters had broken and were slowly leaking.

I calmly called out to Brendan to get out of bed grab my bag and start getting ready...he paniced to start with asking "do I need to panic yet" I replied "if I'm calm then you stay calm, if I start to panic you stay calm otherwise we're both in trouble!".

I called the hospital who asked me to come up and get checked make sure there is not infection. But first I needed to shower, have some breakfast, call mum to meet us at the hospital and dad to come out and wait for the air con guys. When i got in the shower my waters started gushing...but at this stage no conctractions.

It was almost 7am by the time we got to the hospital and some very mild non regular contractions had started on the drive in. I was examined and hardly dilated so I was giving the choice to hang around or go home for a few hours. I went to mum and dads nice and close to the hospital. Brendan went home to check on the progress.

While at mums things slowly started to pick up, slightly more painful and more regular contractions. A couple were quite strong and during 1 I managed to throw my mobile phone and smash it to pieces! Well in my defence the bloody thing wouldn't work and kept shutting off while I was trying to talk to Brendan. I remember having a few conversations with rellies and friends at mums and having contractions mid sentence.

I ventured back to the hospital after lunch, close to 2pm I think. I had dilated slightly more, things were progressing nicely but not too quickly. I was certain I would still be there till early hours of the next morning. At about 3:30 they moved me from the ward to my own room, I decided I needed to go to the toilet, I think I'd been holding it in all day (probably scared I might push the baby our by mistake!). The midwife came in to check and I told her things were fine pain was bareable.....and at the moment I was hit with a seriously painful conctraction.....the midwife said "that doesn't look so bearable, off to the birth suite". Thankfully I was the only one birthing at the time.

While int he birth suite mum and Brendan took turns with me and having breaks. I remember screaming for mum at one stage because she had ducked home and wasn't back yet, she had probably only been gone for 10mins for all I know. DR checked me about 5pm and said I'd definately not deliver until after midnight. I managed to eat dinner and watch some tv while breathing through the contractions before moving to the shower and I got Brendan to use the shower on my back for the pain. Then I moved to the bath which was just heaven, I even fell asleep though some of the contractions, I also used the gas to help me breath through, though at the time I swore it did nothing.

I was feeling quite pushy in the bath after awhile so I asked to get out, but now it's just before 9pm and DR is due to come back to check my progress. But I was fully dilated and ready to push so the midwife was on the phone calling the DR (and the student who was supposed to be watching) to get there quick. I had started pushing before the DR got there, and I was certain I was going to pull mum and Brendan's shoulders out of the socket as I use using them for leverage. Once DR got there is was all systems go, a few pushes ( a few jokes between pushes) and next thing the DR is saying baby is just about here one not so big push, baby should crown, when I say stop, relax otherwise you will tear. So I pushed and baby crowned (wow that was a strange feeling of pain and relief at the same time) then I relaxed when DR told me to and the next thing I remember was the midwfie saying "oh too late your baby is here" at 9:29pm. Baby just came out as soon as I laid back to rest...! It seemed like baby was on my chest forever before I new if it was a boy or a girl. I couldn't see a thing as my glasses had been ripped off my face...by baby! Finally we manged to check and what do you know, it was a little (or not so little) girl, Alisha Rose. I didn't even feel the injection or when I delivered my placenta in fact I'm not even sure I knew it was happening.

I did however feel when DR was repairing me, I'd had quite a tear and it wasn't pleasant..but thankfully no serious complications.

We were left alone for what seemed like and eternity in the birthsuite and Alisha fed for the whole time. Then finally they came to take her stats...

Alisha Rose
Born 13.12.05 9:29pm
4145grms 9lb2oz
53cm long
36cm head circ

Blogs_Aren't_Us

Or should I say blogs aren't me!

I love the idea of keeping a blog, a place to put down my thoughts, things that happen in my day and the occasional useless bits of information. But the reality is that I never seem to continue with them.

I am sure I have unfinished blogs all over the web!!

Which is why this time I think I'll keep it to myself and not worry about followers and readers just yet. Then there is no pressure on me. When I'm ready I'll open it up to the world.

I think though, something I would like to do, just because I haven't done it. Is put the story of how when my baby rats were born...niether of them have been put in writting and I think it would be nice to do so.

So that will be my next post I think....

Till then Rat_Boy is crying!