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Baby Livie, 7 lb 5 oz

I really wanted a home birth, but as I had increased amniotic fluid and what looked like stagnant foetal growth, the consultant decided I should be induced, so I went in to the hospital to start the process off.

Chris was allowed to stay with me during the day, so we did laps of the hospital every hour and some laps of the heath outside as it was a beautiful sunny day. We consciously tried to get my oxytocin levels up to get the process started and around 6.30pm I was having 45 second contractions every 3 minutes or so. Unfortunately, I was still only 1.5 cm dilated when they checked at 9.30pm and they said the contractions were probably due to the induction pessary rather than actual contractions, so Chris went home and I stayed in the hospital.

Unusually, I was the only one on the ward, and once they'd switched the lights off I put my hypnobirthing track playing and listened on repeat for the next few hours and the contractions got stronger and stronger. I was feeling sick, so went out and asked for sick bowls and some pethidin which i got around midnight. At about 2.20am my waters broke and I called the midwife in. They were really surprised how quickly the labour had progressed as at that point I was 9 cm dilated and was getting urges to push. Chris was quickly called and told not to hang around and I was pushed through to the delivery suite. I remember hearing the midwives saying to each other “this is Keeley, she's very quiet and in her own mental space”, as I was just breathing through each contraction. 

When Chris arrived I heard them asking him if I'm always this calm and he tried his best to keep his voice low so others would copy - there were people in and out all the time checking on the student midwife that was looking after us, but it didn't bother me at all, I was properly in the zone and calm at that point. The pushing also went well and although I was tired, it all felt bearable and at 4.30am baby Livie was born. I only needed a couple of stitches and we were allowed home again within hours of the birth.

I found it an amazing experience and I am REALLY surprised how manageable it was. I remember saying to Chris right after that we should have a big family as I've found something I can do well!