Healthy Baby Girl 8lb 5oz
She has finally arrived - born yesterday in fact. Healthy and doing well, as is Ruth.
We are thinking of calling her Abigail after Ruth’s sister.
This picture was taken when we got back home (I forgot my camera!).
On the morning of the 24th we set off to the island hospital in Lamlash. We got there just after 9:00am. Ruth had been having ‘tightenings’ all night and they were getting worse.
During the afternoon Ruth got increasingly uncomfortable. Charlotte, the midwife, contacted the maternity team on the mainland and they said if things didn’t change, a trip to the mainland may be required.
We asked about ferry times and decided we had plenty of time to make the trip if needed.
At about 8:20pm the mainland team decided Ruth should go over to their care. The last ferry had left over an hour before so the only option was a helicopter transfer.
The helicopter pad is in Whiting Bay and we got there at 10:20pm. There was already a small crowd of on lookers, plus four coast guards to guide the helicopter in (a Sea King).
The transfer took just over 15 minutes and there was an ambulance crew and coastguard team waiting for us at the other end. We got to the delivery unit in Irvine hospital at about 10:40pm.
We later found out the cost of the 15 minute transfer is about £18,000. A bit more expensive than the ferry but a lot quicker and more exciting.
On the morning of the 25th there was still no sign of baby (so much for the mad dash in a helicopter). Ruth was subjected to an eye watering membrane sweep by the registrar and then transferred to the maternity ward, which is not a very nice place I can tell you.
The membrane sweep did the trick and Ruth began to have proper contractions and was soon back in the delivery unit. The contractions went from bad to badder and Ruth decided to try out the birthing pool (this was at 2:10pm).
At 2:55pm after a lot of gas and air, baby Abigail was born, 8lb 5oz and full of life.
She ‘latched on’ straight away and has continued to feed ever since.
Needless to say we are all very happy.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Awesome - lovely pic of a lovely baby.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Hurrah!!! Many congratulations to you all - she looks absolutely beautiful, and very peaceful - hope that lasts!
All our very best wishes and love - hope to she her (and you) before too long
R n B xxx
July 27th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Hi everyone, congratulations on the baby girl! thank fully she looks like Ruth!
take care off to pack for Kefalonia, see ya!
July 27th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Well done - congratulations to you all from me and the rest of the dietetic dept. I have circulated photo - she looks beautiful. Just think you will be able to do an extra bit of plastering etc., while you are up during the night!!!
Best wishes
Kath