I've been compiling this over a few days, hopefully it doesn't sound too scattered.

Saturday 21st August- We had just moved into our new house the night before and John and Dad were moving the rest of the furniture over while I was pottering around the new place taking things easy. Amy-Leigh was at John’s parents for the day.

I started having some pains in my lower back, but at first, they weren’t really enough for me to even pay attention too. After about 10 minutes, they were starting to become quite painful so I took a hot shower. Now if I had been aware I would have picked up that I was in labour, but the pain wasn’t much worse than what I had been suffering with throughout my pregnancy anyway.

I was in the shower for about 10 minutes when I felt the urge to go to the loo and empty my bowels. I wrapped myself in a few towels as I was planning on going and lying down after that. I got to the loo and suddenly realised that it wasn’t that I needed to do, the baby’s head was on its way out. John came to the door to see if I was ok, as he was about to go do another trip. I told him I think the baby’s coming, and opened the door and walked into the hallway next to the phone while John was screaming out to my Dad to come inside, as he was in the car ready to go.

I told John to call an ambulance, John, in a lot of shock , called the ambulance and as he was talking to the operator, my waters broke all over the wooden floorboards. As soon as that had happened I felt Sarah’s head coming out and as I was standing up reached below with the help of my Dad to catch her as she came out. She didn’t cry, but made some noises, to let us know she was alright. It was 10:01am

I held her close to me while Dad fetched some towels. John was still on the phone to the ambo’s who asked what sex the baby was. It was only then I looked down and said she was a girl. The placenta came after a few minutes.

Two ambulances came shortly after and took us to the hospital. Dad stayed home and promptly cleaned up the mess. Sarah was quite cold so she was taken to the special care nursery right away and put in a humidicrib and given a little oxygen. Her blood sugar levels were also quite low so she was had a drip, which stayed in for a few days.

Meanwhile I had a 1st degree tear, which was stitched up, that hurt worse than labour, I was more bruised than anything though.

A midwife helped me express some milk, which there wasn’t much of at first. I also had a shower before being taken to the wards, and going and seeing Sarah. She weighed 2.67 kgs which I was told was a alright size for 36 weeks.

She was tube feed for the first few days, topped up with formula until my milk came in well and truly on day 3. By day 4 she was having full breastmilk but still not attaching with a lot of help. 2 days later she will and truly had grasped the concept of breastfeeding.

She had borderline jaundice, which was treated with phototherapy. I was constantly told that she was doing so well for a 36 weeker. I was given so much support with breastfeeding, which I needed and appreciated!

We were allowed to come home after a long, but in other ways quick week. I was so happy to come home to Amy-Leigh, as we missed each other like crazy. John bought her up to the hospital every day to see me but it still wasn't enough and I spent alot of time crying at not being able to be there for her.

I’m so glad I had a lot of support. My Dad was fantastic, not only was he there when I birthed Sarah, but he went and cleaned our old place, looked after Amy-Leigh a bit, and helped unpack the new house, and other various running around.

It was also great that John was given a week off work, to look after Amy and making many trips to the hospital.

Now back at home things are slowly falling into place. Every one has enjoyed the exciting story of Sarah’s birth. It has been quite overwhelming with the constant stream of visitors, especially when trying to get the art of breastfeeding down pat, but things are settling now. This past week she has gained 180 grams, so is approaching the 3kg mark quickly. She is such a quiet and settled baby, and we are all infatuated with her, especially Amy-Leigh who is the best big sister!