A new grandson!

What a day we had yesterday! So catch up blog today.

We had no news overnight about Jane so Heather sent them a text to say I would go and see them.

I waited to let the builder in and asked him to make sure Totty didn't get out and then I left to drive to Cambridge and arrived at the hospital at 9.00.

Jane was in the very nice new Rosie Birthing Suite which is very plush and like a five star hotel. She was having contractions but they had slowed right down and she was not progressing but she was managing the pain well. However, it is very distressing seeing your daughter in pain and feeling helpless.

She had two midwives, Jasmine, who was training and on her 38th delivery and Rachel, who had lost count! Two really lovely girls who were very chatty but gave us lots of confidence.

The midwives discussed the options with Jane and it was decided to move her up to the delivery suite and give her an epidural. Bags were packed and Jane put in a chair and off we went to another room though unfortunately, not so sound proof.

There was a woman next-door screaming and yelling and calling someone a B*****d! She was very vocal, I have never heard anything like it and the midwife said we could close the windows and put some music on. It did go quiet for a time and I said she mush have her baby and then it started again. A little later Rachel came in and said she had heard baby crying so she had delivered!

The anaesthetist came in a very nice young man and prepared Jane for the epidural. I was sitting in the chair in full view of her back and he asked me if I was OK with needles and I told him I was fine. It was quite fascinating watching him do it.

The change in Jane was almost instant as she relaxed and was smiling again. Why did I never have an epidural!!!

Nothing much happened after that and her progress was still slow so they put her on a hormone drip and as it was going to be at least another four hours I went home at about 12.00 to check on the builder, dog and get my phone charger as I had been texting Jon, Heather, Kirsty and my friend Mary all morning and the battery was running down.

I went back to the hospital about 3.00 and they examined Jane about 3.30 and she was fully dilated but they wanted her to have an hours rest before pushing began so she tried to sleep a little but it was all very calm. Poor Jason was so tired but he was coping really well with it all. Such an eye opener for men seeing a woman in labour I think.

Well, pushing began but it was slow and hard work and Baby Meddows was not helping by getting into the wrong position and falling asleep all the time. After an hour the senior midwife came in and said they would get the doctor to have a look as both Jane and baby were getting tired.

Doctor came in and looked so like Miranda and even the way she spoke, very funny! She told Jane she was doing well and stayed for a little while and then said they would get her ready for theatre but for her to keep trying. At that point we were all giving her all the encouragement we could, Jason, me, the midwives the doctor and the anaesthetist, bit like cheering your favourite team on!

I was impressed at the speed they got things moving and before I knew it she was being whisked away down the corridor with a posse of people around the bed.

I went to wait out in reception and Heather arrived. We waited for 45 minutes and then Kirsty and James arrived. I finally caught a midwife and asked how things were going and she said Jane was in recovery. We went round and she was sitting in bed with the biggest smile on her face and feeding the baby who is so sweet (I know, all new grandparents say that). He was born at 6.26 making it a whopping 39.5 hours labour phew! He was a good weight at 7lbs 14oz. So proud of her and the way she coped with it.

We were all very fortunate to be able to see her together as it is only two visitors but we didn't get long. Jason's mum and dad arrived and then the nurse said we were too many which is fair enough so we all left. We met Jason's sister and partner on their way in.

Jane would be moved to one of the wards later and hopefully be discharged on Wednesday.

W all went home and Heather bought some food on the way and I had a snack when I got home and a cold beer.

Such a wonderful day and now life will never be the same with a new little boy in the family. So much to look forward to.

WEATHER
Warm and sunny 21 degrees