Pathway to Parenthood

The birth

Before I can even begin to process what is actually happening, I'm being strapped on to a stretcher and blue-lighted to the nearest hospital, with various medications being pumped into my body.

Each contraction was torture! How do people have multiple children?!

Just as the ambulance pulled to a stop outside the hospital I felt an incredible urge to push.

"Matt!" I cried out, wanting to hold his hand for any semblance of comfort.

"Ro, it's okay I'm right here. They're going to get you inside." Matt gently explained as I shook my head, breathless from my previous contraction.

"It hurts! I need to push!" I cried out as I tried to move to make myself comfortable but I was restricted due to the seatbelt wrapped around my torso.

"Rosie love, it's Jez. I need to check how dialated you are okay?" Jez checked I nodded.

Any modesty I once had has already gone straight out the window!

I shifted uncomfortably as Jez checked my dialation, wanting the pain to stop, even for just one moment.

"Right Rosie, you are nearly fully dialated so we have a short window to move you to the delivery ward!" Jez smiled as he and another paramedic (whose name I missed) got to work getting me out the ambulance.

5 minutes later and I was being wheeled down into the labour and delivery ward. Matt following swiftly behind me.

"Can-Can I still.. Have a water birth?" I puffed out as I rocked on all fours on the bed.

"Once you've been checked over I'm sure we can organise that." Jez smiled as he then stated to speak to a midwife who directed us to a room.

"You're doing great Ro." Matt spoke calmly.

"It doesn't.. Feel great!" I cried out as another contraction overwhelmed my already exhausted body.

"I know, but just think- we are so close to meeting our son or daughter!" Matt encouraged as Finally we entered our room.

With that, Jez and the other paramedic left and it was just myself, Matt and the midwife in the room.

"Right it's Rosie right?" The midwife asked as I nodded.

"Hello love. I'm Diane Burrows and I'll be your midwife. I see you are already 8 and half centimetres!" Diane exclaimed as I groaned and half nodded.

"Is it still possible for her to have a water birth?" Matt asked for me as I was unable to speak.

"Of course. I'll go run the water now. Rosie love, do you feel able to undress? Or you can go in as you are?" Diane asked.

Breathing deeply I replied "Wear this." I was shaky and I didn't know if I had enough energy to undress myself and push.

"No worries then love. I'll leave you two be for a moment. Won't be long!" Diane smiled as she went to go run the water.

"She's a ray of sunshine." Matt chucked as I went to laugh but then it turned into more of a groan.

"They're seriously not letting up are they?" Matt sighed as he rubbed his hand over my knuckle.

"It hurts like hell!" I cried out as I tried to make myself comfortable, but couldn't.

"Let me help you undress slightly." Matt offered as he stood and helped me take my jacket and shoes and socks off.

"Better?" Matt asked as I nodded.

"Right. Shall we get you in?" Diane asked as she re-entered the room.

"Please!" I begged desperately.