Lily was due the 31st of January 2010, I was assured i was having a normal size baby of about 7-8 pounds, and my massive belly was due to the oedema i had in my face, belly and ankles.

At 3:00 on Sunday the 31st of January, after several days of braxton hicks (possibly weeks) I started to get Mild contractions every 10 or so Min’s. As the day wore on, they became more stronger, and from what i thought at that point, more painful. Oh how i was wrong…! I called the hospital later that night saying i had been having contractions 3 mins apart lasting approximately 40 seconds, they said to take my time coming in. I went in for observation, and of course as soon as i got there, the contractions slowed! I was given an internal examination, and was told i was only 2 cms dilated and 3/5 engaged! I was given Panadol and a sleeping tablet and told to go home and get some rest, they would expect to see me later that day.

So i got about 4 hours of undisturbed sleep when i got home, the contractions before i fell asleep were still only mild, but strong and noteworthy. I woke up at 6am with contractions 8 minutes apart. All day long, i sat around the house on my exercise ball, rolling and bouncing, going for walks, all to sooth the contractions. we went on power walks, ate curry… did everything i could, to try and help this baby out. Later that night again i called the hospital, went in with strong contractions 3 mins apart lasting 50 seconds. When i got there, they really slowed down to 8 mins apart but still strong. I was put on a ball, in the hot shower to try and bring my labour along, after several hours of this, i grew tired (id only had 4 hours sleep in the past 48 hours) and an internal examination was done again, I was told i was 2cms dilated, the cervix was softening but lily was still only 3/5 engaged, laying spine to spine. I was given panadine forte, told to go home and get some rest and sit on a ball leaning forward. I did so,

after 2 hours sleep, i woke up with mild contractions again on the Tuesday Morning. All day i was pacing, walking, and as the day progressed, i didn’t try to count how long or strong or far apart the contractions were. instead just going on instincts. By about 7pm the contractions were getting so strong i was crying out and was not coping at home anymore. I rang the hospital and told them i was on my way in. i was taken up to a room, monitored my contractions for 3 hours they were there, but after an internal examination i was still only 2 cms dilated, and my cervix was still posterior! Lily was laying posterior but had come around slightly.