The lead up to Maisy's birth had been a busy one. It was just us from the begginning and at 38 weeks pregnant I moved into our new home and somehow (with the help of my awesome parents) managed to get us unpacked and set up.

The day before Maisy was born I was feeling 'off' so spent the most part of the day hanging out on the couch, eating watermelon. I was having a few niggling pains but nothing to write home about.

At about 2am I woke with just a tiny bit of bleeding, rung the hospital and headed up to get checked out. I put the bags in the car just in case. Thankgod it is a quiet street. Would have been a funny site having me 40w+2d struggling to put suitcases in the car at 2am before sqeezing in the drivers seat to drive myself to hospital. Anyways, I got to the hospital, they checked me out and all was ok. The midwives said that the contactrations I was having were not real strong and sparatic so could even be tomorrow at this point. So, off I went home.

I walked down stairs from the hospital, lent over to put my handbag in the car and thought "oh crap, I've wet my pants" (ummm derrrr... your waters perhaps???) So, anyway, found something to sit on, drove home, and went back to bed, but not to sleep!

I kept waking up in the middle of a contraction feeling like I needed to go to the toilet. So, i'd launch myself out of bed. Go and sit on the toilet, but nothing happened, then the contraction stopped and so did the need to go to the toilet (Seriously! You'd think I'd had no education about this! Why I didn't put it all together and go back to the hospital, I'll never know!)

By about 4am I was starting to think "God, if this is early labour how on earth am I going to get through active labour" (You're in it love!) so, I decided to head back to the hospital for a bit of reassurance. I strambled around trying to get dressed which seemed impossible. I thought about calling my birthing partner but didn't think I could talk so decided against it (another clue perhaps?). It crossed my mind that maybe I should call the ambulance, but again, thought "I can't talk, so no point".... So, I drove myself!!!

After, having to put the hazard lights on in the middle of one intersection due to a contraction and running a red light in the next I got there. Parked in the usual carpark and somehow managed to walk in. Went through emergancy and said "I need to get to midfloor, but I need some help". The security guard took one look at me and went and got a wheelchair. The nurse who wheeled me up said "Now, are you comfortable sitting? The heads not down is it?" I replied "No, I'm fine" (How do I know what the head being down feels like? I've never done this before!)

So go up the birthing suit. THe midwife (who had sent me home 2.5hours earlier) said to get up on the bed. I couldn't. She said "Have you got pressure" me "YYYEEEEEESSSSSSSSS"!!! So, she wiped my pants off, and sure enough, I had driven myself to hospital fully dilated and with the head presenting.

Maisy Amelia arrived 45mins later, delivered fully in just one push, weighing exactly 7pounds. A truely wonderful, magical and enjoyable experience. My only regret is not having anyone there, although my parents where there 10mins later and my best friend not far behind them.

Wow - what a story!

Congratulations on making the drive and getting back to hospital safely.

An even bigger congratulations on the safe arrival of Maisy.

Wow incredible story OP thanks for sharing.

I can remember being in active labour unaware thinking the same thing "how am I going to cope with active labour"?!!

Glad all went well. Love her name

congratulations!
Definitely one to share with your daughter when she's older! Make sure you have a pic of the car she was almost born in...

That is an amazing story! Thanks for sharing an congrats on beautful Maisy!