Mr Sandman bring me a dream - and the Vicks

A girlfriend said to me when Miriam was about 6 days old, “the first three weeks are the hardest!” to which I thought, “Oh no not for me, my baby has been wonderful.” As if on cue, sleep deprivation started to get the better of me and Miriam got a cold and stopped sleeping in her wonderful lots of 3-4 hours at night.

The poor love had such a sniffy nose that she couldn’t breathe properly. As with all of our colds and flus the best time is during the day and the worst time is in the middle of the night. Luckily we know how to blow our noses, take cold and flu tablets and breathe through our mouths if the going gets tough. Babies do not have this ability, and I’m told can’t breathe through their mouths until they are one year old.

Miriam would be sound asleep from 7pm-12pm and then after her ‘middle of the night’ feed would barely sleep in 45 minute stints before realising that she couldn’t breathe through her nose and freaking out. This meant lots of walking the halls of our house with Miriam in the sling. I think Al has worn track around our kitchen, lounge, hallway for all the hours he has spent comforting Miriam back to sleep.

So began all the home-remedy, old wives tales and any other advice we could get our hands on. We tried it all and thank you for those that gave us suggestions. After many sleepless nights, last night we got the best night’s sleep we have had in two weeks. Miriam woke twice in the night but fed well and promptly went back to her cot afterwards. In a cruel twist of fate we spent today walking around like zombies, not because we hadn’t slept but because we felt like we had overslept.

It is amazing how much you can manage on no sleep. What’s also amazing is how efficient you become at doing the small things. The morning routine like breakfast, showering and dressing becomes a military operation. Forget make-up, forget a blowdryer, everything takes on a minimalistic stance. Deodorant, clean teeth, stretch mark cream (it’s a must) and clothes are all that is necessary.

It’s also amazing how your priorities change. Things that need ironing go to the back of the wardrobe (although in my case most things that need ironing still don’t fit me!), dirty washing spends more time in the basket and clean washing spends more time on the lounge. Dinner is not the most important meal of the day and it’s too bad if you run out of juice.

But no matter how crap everything else is, no matter how little sleep we’ve had or whether we’ve eaten spaghetti for the last 6 meals…..one look at our daughter and it all melts away.

Welcome Miriam Hannah

Yes, our precious bundle of joy has arrived. 11 days ago we welcomed Miriam Hannah into the world. She is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen, although I am probably a little bit biased.

Miriam was born at 1pm on 22 Sept after a 15 1/2 hour labour. Labour started in earnest the night before just as the Emmy's telecast was starting. We ventured to the hospital at around 2:30am once the contractions were 4 minutes apart and I was starting to get a bit edgy.

After the first examination they told me I was already 4cm dilated so we settled into the birth suite to prepare for the rest. At the next check, 4 hours later, I was 7cm and progressing well. My student midwife was there to help as well as one of the hospital midwives. But it was Al who was doing all the coaching. He helped me to breathe through all the contractions and then rest between (as much as possible). He took me in and out of the shower and rubbed my back almost constantly.

After another 4 hours they checked me again and I was 9cm but my waters hadn't broken. The midwvies suggested they break my waters and it would speed the last bit of the process along. I agreed as I was started to feel exhaustion set in and was wondering how I was ever going to push this little thing out considering how tired I already was. So, whilst sucking on the Nitrous Oxide for dear life they broke my waters and the baby's head made a swift move towards the outside world.

Back in the shower it was time to push. I'll spare you any really gory details (if you really want to know, just ask) but 15 minutes of pushing (it didn't even seem that long) and she was here. They passed her to me and the first thing I asked was....'what did we have?'. Peeling back the blanket revealed a beautiful little girl. Miriam was here.

Back onto the bed for a rest and placenta delivery Miriam lay quietly on my chest admiring her surroundings. Al got to cut the cord, a momentous occasion before they weighed and measured her. We thought she was going to be in the region of 8-9lbs but she weighed in at a small 7lbs12 (or 3.5kgs for those of you who go metric).So nearly 16hrs, 3 midwifery shifts and a lot of breathing, puffing and screaming later, we are parents!