Wee Rosie is born.

Got home last night and Sally told me her waters had broken. I didn't believe her cause I expected something like more like a tidal wave rather than a little trickle.....
a few hours later and the contractions seemed to start. By midnight we were off to Edgeware Birth centre to establish if labour had indeed started. not quite. 0 cm dilated. made us feel like phonies. back home again. but by the time we got home Sally was without doubt in labour with contractions every 3 mins or so - exaclty as the doctor described. I had a quick nap but got woken to Sally telling me we were being invaded by wasps - they were all over the bathroom. 45 seconds after wakening up I find myself swatting dozens of really aggressive wasps and thinking this must be a nightmare. Sally is really in pain now. We head back to the birth centre. wow, she is really in pain now. within 30 mins Sally is trying to jump into a big bath in between contractions. tricky. I am thinking 'have we taken this natural birth thing too far'? gas and air, sqeezed hands, tears, mucky bathwater, a weird fishing net for 'special' purposes and 3 hours later HUGE RELIEF. Wee Rosie O’Hare is born, about 9.30 am, weighing in at just under 8 pounds. She is perfect. I feel great. Sally is overjoyed. Can't believe our luck. Until. until that is a little thing called a placenta(is that a pizza) doesn't pop out as it should. nothing works. So off to the nearby hospital for *manual*removal. last thing we wanted. now I am getting worried about sally as she needs pain relief and to go to theatre. quite common I am told. but this is what we wanted to avoid. fortunately 2 hours later she comes back smiling and manages a piece of toast and tea. we are on the home run. back home now. going to bed as in dire need of sleep. relieved and happy.