"Labour with first baby"

Gave birth to our little boy here in September. Our first child, and even though I am a nurse in another hospital we were both totally clueless of what was really involved I think. It was nothing like you see on tv. 

Every part of our journey in the hospital from first arriving to having our boy was just brilliant. We were seen really quickly when we first came into triage, assessed and sent up to an antenatal ward to progress. We were so well looked after in there, the hcsw were all amazing and put up with my moaning (and vomiting) so well. They ran me a bath and told me all the options I could do to help my pain. 

Eventually we were taken down to the labour ward. I wanted an epidural and this was done within an hour of me getting there. Everything was explained amazingly well by the anaesthetists and I felt so comfortable in their hands. So sad I can’t remember the names but the gas & air was working! 

Baby boy ended up having a little bit of trouble coming out, his HR was dropping quite often so it was decided after well over an hour of pushing I would have forceps. This was horrible obviously but only for such a quick second then baby was here! There were so many doctors and nurses in the room at that point ready to care for our boy that I just felt so reassured he was in good hands.  I don’t remember everything as I do think I was in a bit of shock at the end but getting to hold him after he’d been looked after and made stable was just perfect. 

Special thanks to midwife Carly, her student at the time Isla, they made me feel so comfortable, so down to earth and chatty with me and I knew everything that was going on the whole way. I even knew what would need to happen if x or y happened, they really helped me not freak out about anything & kept me calm. Also to Dr Dudhwadkar for delivering my baby & stitching me up. Truly just felt in such good hands the whole time, and I’m so thankful to everyone for making it a pleasant experience.