We went on our mini babymoon, & it was honestly so wonderful and I felt sooo relaxed and happy and full of love I think it must have been all the oxytocin that made him want to arrive early 🤣 the morning we went home I had some clear mucus and the tiniest bit of blood (I think it might have been the mucus plug coming away?) Then I had clear liquid trickling out into my underwear most of the day on and off but I didn't think it was my waters breaking as I had no pain or contractions or anything and it wasn't big gushes of water! We got home and put the Christmas tree up and I think I texted my midwife to see if I should call the hospital about it but she didn't reply so I left it as I felt fine. The next day I thought I'd better call the hospital as was still trickling the clear liquid, the girl on the phone said to come along to get checked and I asked if we should pack the hospital bag just in case and she said it wouldn't hurt to put it in the boot so we packed that but not any of our last minute bits as I didn't think we'd actually be having him! They did a test to see if my waters had broken and they had!! So they were like basically you aren't leaving the hospital without your baby 🤣 I was so excited but obviously a bit shocked as I didn't expect him to come so early. They said because it had been 24 hours since the waters had gone, if I didn't have an induction there'd be risk of infection. I wanted to avoid induction so badly but due to the risk I obviously said it was OK and asked if I could still have a water birth but they said no ,so they gave me the pessary then the oxytocin drip, I had awful back pain contractions so had some pain relief for that then when they gave me the oxytocin drip I had the epidural (using a peanut ball!) But the epidural was honestly amazing 🤣 I genuinely really enjoyed pushing him out and that was actually my favourite part of the whole experience! I feel like I was so determined whilst pushing and I did really well, it didn't take that long!

we did the delayed cord clamping but they had to inject me to get the placenta out. I used the comb when I had the bad back contractions which really helped, we had lovely lighting and music on too. The two midwives who were there when I birthed him were AMAZING! They read through my birth plan and were so encouraging and supportive saying I was bossing it and calling me a goddess 🥹 I used breathing too which helped! So lots of your skills helped us 🥰❤️ I was a bit sad not to get my water birth and not to experience the contractions etc naturally as I'd planned to be at home and have a nice bath etc but very grateful we got through it and that I actually enjoyed pushing him out as I think that was the part I was most afraid of but it felt so empowering!