Things I don't want to forget (part 2)...

When I found out I was expecting baby no.2, I was elated and there were two things I was certain of...

1. It was going to be a boy (I have a 'gift' in predicting knowing the sex of my babies) and
2. I'm having an epidural, thanks. (see previous post).

Well, obviously certainty no.1 came to light (see what I mean about my gift ;) and I definitely don't want to forget the significant details of that miracle, and I say "miracle" for a reason, as it was not meant to be the case for certainty no.2. I definitely don't want to forget how I managed to overcome and put my traumatising experience of El's birth behind me, to safely and naturally(and mental breakdown free) welcome into this world my precious Noah. So this is part 2...

Noah
Birth details:

Noah Alexander Dunbar,
born Saturday 26th of September, 2009- 8 days past his due date
arriving at 8:57 am.
Weighing 3.69kg or 8lb2oz, 51cm long, 35cm head circumference.

        
Actual Birth:

• 25 hrs (this was from start to finish)
• I awoke Friday morning with that same period pain like feeling that I had with Elly.
• By the afternoon, the feeling became more uncomfortable and regular.
• Around 9pm, I had regular contractions every 10mins so I decided to have a shower and go to bed as a knew the big event was near.
• At 12pm, I woke from my very light sleep (if I can even call it sleep) with more intense contractions- 5 mins apart! By now, I knew this was the real thing. 
• We arrived at the Emerald hospital at 4:30am. My contractions were roughly 2-3 mins apart. I did not want to be examined incase I got told I was only 1cm dilated! In my head, I was 9... ok, at least 5!
• At around 7am, I caved in and asked to be examined. If the lady would've said anything less than 5cm, not only would that have proved that I have no pain threshold, but I would've had to punch someone. Luckily, she mouthed 8 and all in the room were spared.
• I was told that there was also another lady who arrived an hour before me and seemed to be at the same stage next door. I shortly heard that lady screaming so loud, I thought she was in my room! The midwife looked at me and said "you know what that means? She's pushing her baby out!" Yep, thanks lady. Just what I needed to hear... no really, ill explain later :)
• Around 8:30am I started to push. Half an hour later I was extremely relieved for the second time in my life as Noah was born caught by his ecstatic father.  

Memorable Moments:  (It's a little longer than part 1, only because it happened more recently and I can remember more!)

• Having a little panic attack when I found out Emerald hospital DID NOT provide EPIDURALS!
•  My sister encouraging me and requesting that I read 'Hypnobirthing'- a book that suggests 'hypnotising' yourself and having a pain free natural labour. I thought "yeah, right"  "where can I buy it!?"
• Hypnobirthing becoming my new religion focus. I read it daily, practiced the relaxation and breathing techniques, replaced my negative thoughts with positive ones, stopped replaying El's birth in my head, I eliminated my fear and I began to feel confident and empowered. 
• Taking my 'Raspberry Leaf' tablets daily. A friend, who was also pregnant at the time, was taking them and promised me that they would help with contractions. Lets just say I lost count how many bottles I went through- and they DO WORK! So my addiction dedication paid off at the end! 
• Thinking that Noah was going to come early! I was wrong. So wrong. Eight days over wrong.

• Joe thinking he was cursed for having to wait...yet again...and longer! 
• Regretting not giving Joe a false 'due date', one that would've made it seem like we were 'early' or at least 'on time'. Would've saved me us both a lot of pain! 
• Getting a horrible cold the weekend Noah was due and secretly rejoicing at the fact that he was late-possibly even thinking/talking my body into it! Sorry Joseph, but how on earth would I have performed my breathing techniques, without a functioning nose!?
• Joe surprising me with a beautiful (and expensive) handbag/baby bag when he got home from work- that managed to distract me from the contractions I was having.
• Getting the sudden urge to make scones! I'd never made them in my life, but I just wanted to keep busy and distracted. They were delicious by the way ;). I'm quite the baker when I'm contracting and hrs away from having a baby! 
• Deciding it was a good idea to go for a long walk, again to distract my self and hopefully get things moving! Then regretting it as the whole of Emerald drove past (its not hard) and watched me waddle like a duck.
• Leaving for the hospital as an over eager Joe smashed the side view mirror to pieces while backing out!
• Getting cranky at Joe for not spraying the water on my back in the precise spot :)
• Getting cranky at Joe for wearing a jumper while I was sweating like hell! 

• Laying in bed 8cms dilated- relaxed (as I could possibly be) and focusing on my breathing while listening to some lovely music my midwife turned on for me. A completely different scene from part 1. 
• My 'relaxation' being horribly interrupted by the loud screaming from the other room and being so jealous and upset that the other lady was beating me to it! I jumped out of bed and decided I was ready to push too!
• Not really being ready to push, but I had convinced my self that my body (or anyone else) wouldn't know my deceit. I started saying... "I need to go to the toilet!" only because I knew that's what you usually say/feel when its time. I just wanted some one to tell me it was time to push!
• My midwife responding with..."sounds like you're ready to have a baby too!" and I remember thinking... "yes! It worked, she fell for it!" only to realise... "hold on a sec, where did my lovely 1-2 min break in between contractions go?!"
• Feeling elated that not only had I convinced the midwife, but I  also convinced my body that it was time! 
• Going into a complete silent phase- Joe jokes that I was practicing scientology :). But really, all I could do was concentrate on the cues and feel every sensation my body was giving me and feeling so amazed at its capabilities.
• Getting annoyed at the midwife for leaving me to get some 'thingo' as I was pushing breathing Noah out!
• Relived she made it just in time to see Joe catch him.
• Wondering when it was all over, why I had such a sore forehead?! Only to realise I was leaning over a basin when I was pushing Noah.
• Feeling so proud of my-self for getting trough it so calmly and in control.

• Feeling so content as I watched my two boys bonding together. Joe held his first born son so joyously and proudly.
• Thinking he was the most beautiful baby boy with a cone head I 'd ever seen!
• Sharing some quiet time together with Noah, just watching him sleep so peacefully in my arms while daddy also slept-exhausted from it all!
• Feeling like I was holding a little piece of heaven in my arms- he was/is perfect!
• Falling in love for the second time all over again.
• Remembering this time to cover up a little for decent 'first moment' photos. So not to have nude-ish pics of me circling friends and family's phones- courtesy of Joseph. 

I remember this sweet moment so well. When your big sister cuddled you for the first time  my heart filled with joy! She was so happy to finally meet you.

It astounds me how much love we are given to love our little ones with. As when I thought it was almost impossible to love another as much as I love my Elena- Noah, you came along and proved me wrong. I loved you as profoundly as I love your sister... instantly! Your daddy and I were captivated by you then and now, and wonder how we got so lucky to have YOU join our family. Though it's only been 19 months since the first time I held you in my arms, it feels like you've always been here.

My world.