My name is Lauren Shannon Crackett and i have a beautiful baby boy called Oliver James Ingledew with my perfect fiance Matthew. The pregnancy was tiring, achy and restless but it was worth it.
My labour story
The midwife came and stripped my membranes when i was a week overdue on the wednesday and she found i was already 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. Later on in the day i had a few pains but nothing major so i went through to Darlington to my mums house. At 5am the next day (thursday) i went into hospital where they gave me another examination and i was still only 3cm dilated so i went back home the pains were getting stronger but they still werent that bad.
So to get things moving and to buy a birthing ball me and Matt went into town and walked aoundfor a couple of hours, it was hilarious walking roundthe town centre having strong contractions. Finally at about 8.30pm me and matt went into hospitalwhere they found i was 8cm dilated! I was put on the gas and air and it was great cause i had only been on paracetamol since labour had began.I continued with thegas and air until i started to pushat 1aron friday and i didnt use the gas and air or anything else and finally after an hour and a half of pushing Olly was born at 2:20am!
Eish what are we like?

I went to the hospital at 1:30 am on Saturday morning. I was already dilated to 5 cm! I wasn't in much pain at that point just uncomfortable. I got an epidural at about 3 am, they didn't break my water until about 9:00am and gave me plitocin. The contractions got worse and worse! Next time they checked me I was 10 (at about 10:00 am) and I started to push. Totally worth it. Very scary, his cord was wrapped around his neck and they had to use the vacuum to get him out fast. It was so quick. I only pushed for an HOUR!! lol. It all happened SO fast. He is okay now he has jaundice and it's clearing up. He is such a good baby and he is very alert and he already knows how to latch on well while breastfeeding. He only cries when he is hungry. He is perfect! I have never loved anyone more.