WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
In hospital after one prostin pessary to induce me, 12 days overdue, although contractions started the night before but weren't doing anything other than hurting!

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
7 and a half established.

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
02:20 on 4th October (Sunday)

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
Gas and air, and used a TENS machine from early labour which didn't actually do anything in established labour as one of the sticky pads had come off without me knowing.

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
None, although I was pushing for so long (1 hr and 20 mins) that the midwife called the doctors to come and assist, but by the time they got to me I was minutes away from giving birth.

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Wow, I did it!

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
Totally elated - I had a three degree tear that had to be stitched in theatre, but it didn't bother me in the slightest... I just kept thinking 'I did it! I've got a little girl, and I did it all on gas and air!'

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
From going in for induction to leaving - 2 and a half days.

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
In hospital - I had planned a home waterbirth but the little monkey wouldn't budge!

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
Not really, no major problems, I was just ignored a bit and could have done with more support....... and breakfast! (they forgot about me the third day I was in!)

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
Ruth, a wonderful midwife who gave me the perfect birth considering I'd planned a home birth - she was really calm and quiet and just let me get on with it.

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?
Definitely one more, who knows after that.

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
About 3 years I think, preferably not any less than that. There are four years between me and my sis, and we get on really well.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?
I don't know - I do my best and I love being a mum so something must be going right!

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?
All the stretch marks I got freaked me out while I was pregnant, and I was really worried about getting saggy boobs. But now Lucy is here, I'm not that bothered about my enormous boobs and slightly wrinkley tum, she's more important. Although ask me again in a year and I may have changed my mind!

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
I had a fantastic birth experience, and the only thing I'd do next time is get in the birthing pool, instead of refusing to take my TENS machine that wasn't actually doing anything off!

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WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
Ceilidh -At home in bed
Elijah -Hospital (induced)
Rheiya -At home
Lucas -Hospital (induced)
Jaidyn -At home in bed

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
Ceilidh -4
Elijah -3
Rheiya -2 1/2
Lucas -1 1/2
Jaidyn -2 1/2

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
Ceilidh -2:44am 3/9/94 (Saturday)
Elijah - 2:19pm 2/1/96 (Tuesday)
Rheiya -2:14am 25/1/98 (Sunday)
Lucas -10.00am 20/10/00 (Friday)
Jaidyn - 4:58am 18/7/06 (Tuesday)

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
Gas & Air with all 5
Pethidine with Ceilidh & Elijah
Morphine with Jaidyn

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
3rd degree tear with Ceilidh

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Ceilidh -I just thought why?
Elijah - she's alive and beautiful
Rheiya - what a chubster!
Lucas - he really is a boy
Jaidyn - she's meant to be a he!!!! (I was convinced all pregnancy I was having another boy!)

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
Proud with all 5

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
after birth
Ceilidh - 4 days
Elijah - 1 days
Rheiya - 1 day
Lucas - 1 day
Jaidyn - 0 days

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
All hospital
Ceilidh - Oxford
Elijah -Abergavenny
Rheiya - High Wycombe
Lucas -Stoke Mandeville
Jaidyn -Wishaw

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
JR in Oxford was perfect, but I wasn't a 'normal' case there, so not sure about 'normal' births there.
Abergavenny -NO!! It was hell, considering I had had a stillbirth, they were sh*t for want of a better word
High Wycombe - Yes (with caution ) the staff were good, but the open planned mixed anti/post-natal ward was awful!
Stoke Mandeville - Yes. Staff were great, no bad experiences there
Wishaw - Yes. Gave birth and stayed in the sane room, was like a hotel! But I know it gets busy and can be hellish for people, I guess I was lucky and loved it!

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
To be honest I can't remember! Midwives delivered all 5

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?

I'm done!

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
Ceilidh would have been 22 months had she lived, but if she had I wouldn't have had Elijah when I did!
Elijah was 2yrs 3 weeks when Rheiya was born
Rheiya was nearly 33 months when Lucas was born
Lucas was 5 1/2 when Jaidyn was born

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?
Simply the best!!!

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?
No feeling really to be honest

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
Wouldn't change a thing really (apart from giving birth at a different hospital with Elijah!!!)

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WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
In bed - was officially still at work so had went to bed early

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
almost 25

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
11.06 2nd Feb 2009

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
Given diamorphine at 4pm, and the rest with just gas and air. Including forceps and being astitched for hour and half!!!!

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
Pushed for 2 hours, eventually had to get forceps

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
B***** forceps should not be able to fit into my body MW asked can you see what you have, and TBH after 25 hours I couldn't have told you whether Ella was a girl or boy. Was just too exhausted and in tooo much pain

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
Exhusted!

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
Went in 8am Mon, got let out 12.30pm with incredibly high blood pressure, went back in again 4pm, and got out 5pm on Wed!

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
In hospital

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
Nope! Let me out with dangerously high blood pressure, MW were quite cheeky or ignored you. Others in ward really annoyed me - a stupid girl leaving her newborn alone on her hospital bed while she b******* off for a shower - no bed rails or anything. Seemed like a chore for MW to help you

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
There was at least 4 in the room with me at all times as I had been going for so long Think it was Fiona who was my main MW though

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?
Definitely one more, who knows after that.

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
About 2 or 3 years

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?

I hope so

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?
Preg body - just had a little bump at front as was still at gym. Post preg - getting better

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
Awful! yeah would opt for C section next time hehehehehe

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WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?[/color]

Chloe - hopspital was induced
Dylan - In bed at home
Erin - In hosp induced

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?

Chloe 9 hrs
Dylan 4 hours
Erin 8 hours

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?

Chloe 02.01.00 7.09
Dylan 27.02.04 17.30
Erin 17.11.09 19.00

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?

Chloe, - The works!! gas and air, pethine, epidural
Dylan, Gas and Air
Erin, Gas and air, aromatherapgy oils, pethine and epidural.

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?

Chloe - yep, forceps and ventouse needed - difficult labour.
Dylan - no, very easy.
Erin - well does passing out count and telling hubby that it was all over now and it had all gone wrong oh and then being told her shoulders were too big and she would be dislocated as she was delivered - thankfully she didnt she just had a big head!!!

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Wow
Wow and
Wow

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?

Hyper I was buzzing on adrelin and coulnt sleep!

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?

Chloe - two nights
Dylan one night
erin one night after birth but also one night before birth.

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?

Cheltenhm hospital

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?

Yes it was fine - although could have done with more feeding support esp with Erin.

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?

Cant really remember there names - but i dont talk to anyone in labour just go into my own place and dont communicate!!!

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?
No think I'm done!

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?

What i've had has worked for us.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?

I try to be - and its a constant learning curve!!

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?

Hmmm dont like being so big - getting there now would love tum to shrink - I defo have more of a pear shape than ever before!

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?

Won't be doing it again - the end justifys the means aswell!

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WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
Both in hospital, had to be induced due to my health

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
Joshua - 7 hours
Jenny - 1hr 45 mins

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
Joshua 10.16am 13/07/06 (Thursday)
Jenny 2.18am 30/12/08 (Tuesday)

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
Gas & air with Josh, nothing with jenny (apart from a suck on a pipe that was not attached!!!)

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
tear with Josh

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Josh - wow
Jenny- was she meant to come out that quick?!!

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
happy & proud

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
Joshua -3 days
Jenny -nearly 4 days (let me out really late on New years eve coz I was desperate to go home!!)

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
Hospital
Josh the old Ayrshire Central
Jenny the new Ayrshire Maternity Unit

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
Ayrshire central was moving to the new unit in less tahn a month after I had JOsh so it was run down but the staff were all excellent and the new unit was fantastic and the staff still exceellent coz they moved with unit!!!!

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
Midwives delivered both, but Dr Ramsay was on hand if needed

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?

If I do I'll be suing the NHS!!!

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
There's 2 1/2 years between them, thats enough

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?
I try

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY
It doing/ done its job (pity it had to leave a flabby belly behind!!!)

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
Would have been nice if they attached the gas and air pipe when I had Jenny, but having siad that I was only in the labour room for 5 mins before she was bron so can't ask too much!!

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It's great to read your labour quizzes although they make me feel enormously lucky that I had the experience I did, some of you have been through awful things xxx

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WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
Lauren - at my Mum's, whilst cooking!
Eva - c section

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
Lauren 33 after I arrived at hospital.
Eva - 0 - c section

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
Lauren - 16.11.06 - Thursday - 9:37
Eva - 19.10.09 - Monday - 11:33

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
Lauren - TENs machine at the beginning and then gas& air for about 30 min
Eva - spinal for the c section

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
Lauren - head in awkward position, no progression for hours, episiostomy, ventouse and multiple tears. Had to have reconstructive surgery after 8 week check up. Very ouch!
Eva - straight forward c section

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Lauren - Wow, she's big! Then she was whipped away. I was very 'out of it' though as it was a very traumatic birth for Lauren and me. She had to have oxygen and it was a relief to hear her little cry. When I held her after all the rushing around I was in awe of her.
Eva - She is big/loud/strong/beautiful....

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
Lauren - So happy
Eva - relieved (hated the whole c section experience)

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
Lauren - 4 days
Eva - 2 days

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
Hospital for both

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
No! Care during the births was excellent but was dreadful after. I couldn't wait to get home.

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
Lauren - There were 6 people in the room and all of them were really encouraging.
Eva - A surgeon (lovely lady)

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?
No more
Too old now. Love my two girls, am very blessed.

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
There is 3 years between Lauren & Eva, it works really well.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?
I strive to be good and I enjoy being a Mum.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?
Pregnancy - looked healthy with a big bump for Lauren and a massive bump for Eva!
After Lauren I went back down to a size 12 quickly and looked good. But after Eva I am not happy with my tummy need some serious exercise!

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
I had a very traumatic experience when I had Lauren, I don't think I could change it though, it was just the way it worked out. I was worried about what the right option was when pregnant with Eva, in the end I went to see the consultants and just explained what happened and showed them my notes, they winced and said....defo a c section. I was really calm during Lauren's birth and never even made a sound apart from breathing, it was good as it helped me to get through it. But I was so scared when I had the section, I was ok until I had the spinal but could still feel them moving my legs etc....was scared that I would feel something! But it was fine of course. I was most happy when they placed Eva next to me and wheeled me out into recovery! LOL!

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOUR?
DD1 - Iceland (shop not country)
DD2 - home (well was by the postbo outside when my waters broke but home before any contractions
DS - home

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOUR FOR?
DD1 - 28hours from first contraction, 10 hours established
DD2 - 10 hours from first contraction, 5.5 hours where it was painful
DS - 18 hours from first contraction 5.5hours where thought I'd ring the midwife

DAY AND TIME BABY WAS BORN?
DD1 - 20th November 1,50am
DD2 - 7th March 2.10am
DS - 20th December 5.30pm

DID YOU HAVE AN EPIDURAL/GAS ETC?
DD1 - entonox and pethidine
DD2 - TENS and entonox
DS - entonox in transition

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WHILE GIVING BIRTH?
DD1 - labour stalled at 8cm so had my waters broken, her heartrate dropped right at the end so got threatened with forceps - in the end just ahd an episiotomy and came out with that
DD2 - none
DS - got to fully dilated and didn't want to push for ages, so midwife broke waters and he was born 20 minutes later - lost a bit too much blood afterwards though, but dealt with easily at home

WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU SAW YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?
DD1 - is she ok? as she was chucked onto me for 3 seconds before being whisked away for some resusitation
DD2 - this was right how it was meant to be
DS - just looked into his eyes and knew him already (body still inside at that point he was face up)

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR BABY WAS BORN?
DD1 - knackered and zonked out on pethidine
DD2 - on a complete high
DS - on a high and amazed I'd done it myself (2lb heavier and back to back) but tired

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL FOR?
DD1 - born early hours of Monday morning went home Wednesday afternoon was desperate to go the first afternoon

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR BABY?
DD1 Royal Glamorgan
DD2 the living room
DS the living room

DID YOU LIKE THE HOSPITAL YOU STAYED AT/ WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER WOMEN?
No - it was alright but hated postnatal ward, felt nagged rather than supported - it is good for transitional care though and keeping baby with you

WHO WAS YOUR OBGYN/ WHO DELIVERED YOUR BABY?
DD1 - Marianne - midwife can't remember mucha bout her - she liked pethidine and kept pushing it though - no problems with my sutures though
DD2 and DS - Sue my community midwife with all three pregnancies

WILL YOU HAVE MORE CHILDREN/HOW MANY?
Am expecting one in November.

WHAT AGE GAP WOULD YOU LIKE BETWEEN CHILDREN?
I prefer them close (eldest three are close in age) this time I'll have a 6 year gap which scares me a little.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD MUM?
I'm OK, wouldn't say good - I love them but am far too short tempered at times

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY BODY AND YOUR BODY AFTER THE BABY?
I'm actually more comfortable with my body following pregnancy and birth, and think it's quite good for 3.5 kids!

DO YOU THINK YOU HAD A POSITIVE/NEGATIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE/WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
Forst one wasn't great so decided to stay at home the next time and both my homebirths were fab - so planning another homebirth