I hope writing this down will be a bit therapeutic, as I'm a bit all over the place about it at the moment.

Well, as most of you know I was having irregular contractions for days..and days.. Things finally kicked off on Sunday night/Monday morning and we made our 2 hour journey into the hospital at about 3am. Arrived at hospital, checked and hooked up to a monitor. Definitely contracting, but very irregular, and cervix still high, thick and not looking like it was about to dilate. One midwife was all for sending me home, but as I was being monitored the contractions got stronger and a different midwife noticed that Noah's heartrate was dropping during the strong contractions. She said if I was about to go into labour that wouldn't be a problem, but as I still looked quite far away she wanted to keep us in just in case the stress got too much.

Contractions gradually get stronger and closer together and incredibly painful, but cervix won't dilate. Got to the stage where the contractions were unbearable, couldn't stand or speak or move, never felt pain like it Wasn't allowed any pain relief as if I had too much now it wouldn't be effective later on in labour. By about 10am (5 hours after arriving) the contractions were coming every 2 to 8 minutes, and I felt like they were about to rip me in two. Consultant was called, she checked the monitor and realised in between the contractions, i was having mini-contractions. Basically, there was no flatline between contractions, there was constantly some activity - she said this could indicate a bleed behind the placenta, or some irritation in the womb. She decided to break my waters to see if that would speed up dilation, I FINALLY got allowed some gas and air, which got me through a little.. As soon as my waters were gone the contractions got worse, and between the contractions I had a constant strong pain around the bottom of my womb, so basically no break from the pain. I had to wait an hour or so for them to check i wasn't dilating - and I wasn't.

They rushed in the anasthshstrhd...umm, make-things-go-numb- guy for an epidural, but it was a nightmare to get in as my contractions were so close together he only had a 1 minute window to get me to sit still and get the needle in..not easy! Didn't take away any of the pain, so I got rushed off for a c-section, where they had the same battle to get the spinal injection done Finally got it done, started the c section and a few minutes later they dropped the screen to show Noah coming out! He was so gorgeous, was doing this face though -> He didn't cry for ages, they needed to give him oxygen to get him going, but hearing him finally have a good shout was a truly amazing feeling! His apgar score was quite low but soon rose and he's doing so well now. I love him to bits and he was truly worth all the struggle! I'm off now to give him a huge cuddle, thanks for reading if you've made it through to the end.

aww Kat I hadn't realised you had such a tough time...kinda just thought he'd pop right outta there!

Glad its all over and you have him now xxx

Oh my goodness I cant believe you were in so much pain and you wern't dilating - poor you! During my induction I had a pessary the 1st night and was in agony all night with constant pains. Next morning I hadnt dialted and got sent home to try again next day. i was so upset, I thought they didnt believe I was in pain (and also was shitting myself that 'real' labour was gona be terrible!). As weird as it sounds, hearing your experience has reassured me that I wasnt a bug wuss when having Caitlin and you dont have to be 6cm dilated before you in 'real pain'. Iv had ppl laugh at me and say 'sure it doesnt hurt at all until 3cm'....

Anyway, huge congrats again. You did fab! Was a very long ride but you got there in the end! x

Oh wow what an experience, so glad you are both ok now! And enjoy your Noah cuddles!! How does milo like him?

wow what a hard time you had kat!! know how you feel about the not dilating and having no rest in between contractions- i had that for a full 24 hours, and managed on bleddy paracetamol, codeine and a hot water bottle on my back :/ bleddy MWs wouldn't allow me to have anything until i was atleast 4 cms
glad you're ok now though hun!!
i bet noah is stunning xxx

Aw hon you dont do it easy do you. Im glad he came out ok n the end and you are so happy now. Hope Milo likes being a big bro xxx

awww what a tough time but like you say it's all worth it in the end
congrats again x

KAT! Big congratulations! Welldone you for getting through all of that pain. Must be so worth it now though to see that gorgeous face looking back at you. Looking forward to seeing piccies at some point.

Mandy xx

Congratulations honey, it sounds like you did wonderfully well. Look forward to seeing a piccy of Noah x x x`

Congratulations again hun, sorry you had such a rough ride but I bet he's totally worth it! xxx

awww well done you for getting through that, must've been hell and very frustrating. So glad, you and Noah are both ok xx

Wow, you certainly went through it! Glad all's well now and you have you two gorgous bubas. xx

Congrats kat on the birth of noah great name :WD.
Sorry it was a tough time x

Thanks everyone!! Think I've managed to forget the worst parts now, and seem to be healing up well. Noah is an absolute star, loves milk and hugs, Milo adores him and I'm so far somehow coping with having two tiny monkeys! Mr Kat is off work and doing a great job of helping out, Anyway, just wanted to put up a couple of pics for anyone not on my facebook..

Just a few hours old
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Milo and Noah snuggling up together
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Oh how cutsie!! He looks gorgeous, and so does Milo. How much did Noah weigh in the end? He looks teeny x x x

Aww thank you He weighed 6lbs14oz, he seems tiny to me compared to Milo, who seems to be getting taller every day!

OOh, just had a little cry there!

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ohhhhh they are both so gorgeous!

congrats. also know the feeling of contracting without dilation lol. not a good feeling. was ready for punching the midwife who told me I was barely 1cm dilated after 8 hours of agony!

xxx

hun, i hadnt realised you had such a tough time, glad it all ended ok though,

hope the boys are doing ok, i love that pic of the 2 of them xx