Half Pint Pixie

So, it’s Labor Day in the US and Rocks in my Dryer is hosting a labour meme (yes I’m spelling it the American way for their holiday but my way for all the rest of the mentions!). I thought it would be fun to join in (don’t worry, there’s nothing too personal). So here goes…

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How long were your labours?

Hard to say really, Littlepixie arrived about 22 hours after I was induced, but I was only in “active” labour for 7 of those hours, so either 7 or 22 hours. Or two weeks if you want to count the 3 hours every night for a fortnight pre-labour!

How did you know you were in labour?

I was induced at 14 days over by ARM (breaking the waters). So I still don’t know what it feels like to spontaneously go into labour!

Where did you deliver?

A big old Dublin Maternity Hospital.

Drugs?

2 panadol for a headache (it was annoying me) and the lovely gas & air (does that count as a drug? I never know!). The lovely gas & air did very little for the pain but it made me high and gave us funny memories we will cherish forever!

C-section?

No, thankfully!

Who delivered?

In Ireland a midwife delivers your baby. You only see a doctor if you need one or if you’re a private patient.

We had a student midwife for the labour and when delivery time came she called in a senior midwife to help as she had never delivered a baby while the mum was kneeling/on all fours. She was so excited afterwards, she was really lovely!

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If you fancy playing along, pop on over to Rocks in my Dryer and join in Happy Labor Day to all my American friends!

And if you’re in Ireland and interested in improving our maternity services, please pop over to AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) Ireland.