New Baby: The Delivery
Almost a week has passed since I went to the labour ward for the birth of my third child. Hard to believe.
During the week, I wanted to write a little about the delivery. The labour was so fraught with drama, highs and lows. It is a story that needs to be recorded!
Labour Ward
Mrs Levee had already been brought to labour ward when I arrived at the hospital. The calm and practical midwives had started the process by breaking her waters and attaching to her wrist the drip that would induce labour. She had been given a pessary the previous evening in order to prepare her body for the delivery.
The delivery suite was, as usual, decorated in a faux-homely fashion. A rocking chair and an armchair sat to the left of the bed, which took center stage. On the right were the heart rate monitor and various other obscure-looking pieces of hospital equipment.
And on the bed, ready to do battle, Mrs Levee!
The first hour or two were quite relaxed. Between contractions, we chatted about baby names and plans for after the birth, how the kids would react to the newborn. Thankfully, the day was less humid and a cool breeze blew through the room as we talked.
Thanks for that fantastic post - as a rather squeamish expectant father (is there such a thing ?) your post has helped me get my head around our expected new delivery in January !
Found your blog while trialing the new google blog search (keyword:cushendall - I grew up there but left NI almost 10 years ago for England and a few other parts of the world).
All the best to you and your family,
Seamus
Seamus, thanks for dropping by. I’m originally a Ballycastle man myself!
Of course the birth is just the beginning of the story, but it’s a really special time.
I remember when our first was born, I was so overwhelmed by emotion I couldn’t stop crying and neither could Mrs Levee.
I hope the delivery goes smoothly and you and your wife/partner are blessed with a wonderful new addition! When’s the baby due?