Long Overdue??

Just in case you were overly concerned .. I thought that I better confirm that I am not reaching 44 weeks pregnant ... just haven't figured how to stop the damned ticker ... Zoo was finally born just one week late on 5 December 2005. Contractions began in earnest the night before at about 9pm and I managed to stay at home for as long as possible. Reached hospital at 4.20 am Monday morning .. the taxi driver took one look at me and drove as fast as he could, bless him!

On arrival the midwife muttered something about it being a big baby, that the contractions were coming fast and furious and that she was sure that it was going to arrive today. No-one had previously mentioned any concern about the size of our baby and I am positive I read somewhere about being able to rest between contractions ... Fat chance of that but the fact that it would all be over today was reassuring.

Worked without pain relief for a while and then moved on to the etonox but it just resulted in some rather impressive projectile vomitting and profuse apologies. As the midwife and Cream wiped themselves down and I stood under a hot shower we decided best to move onto to plan C .. the epidural.

I won't horrify you with the sordid details but several hours passed and it became evident that Zoo was in a bit of distress so they wheeled me into theatre after getting me to sign the necessary caesarian consent forms but once there he obviously understood the need for urgency and made an appearance with the gentle persuasion of the ventouse.

After what seemed like an eternity whilst they cleared his airways, Zoo finally started crying and we were presented with our little boy at 11.16pm weighing in at an impressive 8lbs and 6ozs.