Joshua Matthew Hampstead was born at 1.55am on 2nd September weighing 8lb 10.5oz

Birth story
From waking up on thurs 1st I was having pains which I suspected were contractions. Started getting regular then would stop. I saw the mw for routine appointment and got a sweep arranged for next week even though suspected it wasn't necessary. Anyways took Immi to the park after and once we got home the contractions started coming regularly - every 5mins. That was about 4.30pm.

I left it an hour and then called Matt as he was still at work, working on his mini. We decided to call Matt's parents and see if someone could come to look after Immi. They left at 6.30pm. Contractions were still every 5mins. I made dinner, cleaned the kitchen and just kept trying to keep the contractions coming. We had lots of cuddles with Immi and put her to bed about 7.45pm. Repacked hospital bags, changed all the bed sheets, did some more random cleaning and then called the hospital. They said to have paracetamol and a bath and call back.

Matt's parents finally arrived at 9ish (not sure how a 1hr 30min journey took them nearly 3 but oh well!) I went for a bath and contractions starting coming every 3mins. I got out and called the hospital, they didn't answer. I kept calling for about 45mins and still no answer so Matt and I decided to just go there. Got there about 11.15 and turns out they were completely packed. I had about 3 contractions just standing talking to mw at reception so I think they realised I wasn't just in early stages and found a mw to check me over.

Had the examination and I was 5-6cm dilated and waters were bulging. I asked her to just break them but she said she wasn't allowed to at that point and she'd examine me in 4hrs if nothing had happened by then and then she'd break them. I got moved to a delivery room (very posh - brand new) and got gas and air. I got straight on the gym ball and bounced away, was determined not to wait 4hrs for baby! Contractions were every 2mins at this point.

At 1am ish my waters went during a contraction and mw said to call her as soon as I started feeling pressure as apparently things happen quite quick usually once waters break in second pregnancy. About 30mins later I started thinking I could feel pressure to push. Was pretty knackered so was just laying on the bed but midwife encouraged me to get on all fours (lovely view for anyone who opened the door as my ass was directly in their face )

So after that it's a bit of a blur, contractions were just constant and pressure was getting worse, suddenly I felt his head coming out and started pushing, I had no idea if it was the right time as all I could feel was pain and I was sucking in the gas and air like there was no tomorrow. Matt and mw were trying to get me to move my legs apart a bit more so mw could help pull him out but I just collasped and layed on my back. Was convinced I was pooing so was reluctant to push properly cause I didn't want to poo but quickly realised that was stupid and with one big proper push he came out. I don't know if it was shock or just normal body reaction but i just started shaking like crazy and Matt got a bit scared but it was all good. Placenta came out easily not long after (had the injection) and I got cleaned up. I had a small tear but as it was just a tiny bit of skin rather than muscle mw decided it wasn't necessary to have stitches.

Got my tea and toast then, got dressed and fed him. Took a few mins as I'd completely forgotten how to get a baby to latch on [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] but we got there and he had a good old feed on each side. Then got moved to a waiting room as we were all packed up and ready to go just waiting for injections and they were desperate for the room. I had to have my MMR as my body doesn't seem to hold onto it, and then we were off home. It was 5am. I got about a hour or two sleep, was hard to switch off adrenaline/excitement and then Immi woke up and fell in love with her brother straight away [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

All in all was a pretty straight forward birth, much quicker and easier than Imogen and I couldn't be happier now [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Wow Shell, what a lovely birth story. Massive congratulations xx

aaawwww amazing thats just how id like mine please this time no messin about get the kids into bed go in to hospital and b home b4 they wake up cant see it tho)

But well donr babes huge congrats 2 u all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brilliant Shell. You did amazing. My waters went whilst pushing was rather strange.

I also got those shakes and couldnt hold Hermione for around 30-45 minutes after.

and see I told you, you'd only need a wash bag LOL. I bet you barley used anything in your bag

Thats a lovely birth story, so glad it went so well - amazing how quick you got home!

In saying that I really think id have gone to hospital at about 4pm, cried for an epidural and ended up staying one night. Im dreading labour already. I just want drugs and will flip if I get there and they too busy for epidural - thats half the reason I changed to another hospital. ah Im such a wimp, your way sounds nicer in the end. Immi waking up to a baby brother sounds adorable!

So pleased for you.... do me a favour but... will you bloody well go to bed and get some rest???!!

Congratulations. Sounds like a great birth

Well done !!! I started to shake after Cerys was born too, I think it's a natural body reaction to child birth. Glad it all went smoothly xxx

sounds great shell, well done and congratulations, im so pleased it went a bit quicker than last time for you

What an absolutely bloody MAGICAL birth story!!



Congratulations To you all hun, you did flippin wonderful xxx

Sounds like the perfect birth. Massive congrats hun x

Awww Shell you make childbirth sound so easy! Well done hun you did fab! Shaking is natural! You bodys way of dealing with pain and shock, especially as you only had gas and air!!

Awww Hun, what a lovely experience, enjoy, they grow way tool quick xx

Wow congratulations Shell, it sounds like you did amazingly well. Hope you are now getting some sleep x x x

What a wonderful birth story! He is gorgeous xx

congrats hunny. he is gorgeous!! x

aw lovely birth story. you make it sound so easy.

congrats again to you all. lovely name x

Well doen shell! Congratulations xxxx

Well done hun, a lovely birth story xx