We have lift off!

But in terms of space travel we have only just cleared the tower.

Hayley was admitted this afternoon at 2.30pm. At 5.30pm they applied the first dose of prostin gel that should kick-start labour. The baby's heart was then monitored for about an hour. It all looked OK. After that we took a stroll around the hospital for half an hour. Hayley was examined again and then she dismissed me to get some dinner (she got hers courtesy of the hospital). So while my baked potato warms in the microwave I have 10 minutes to blog what's going on. (I'm in a rush so this will be in a rather random order.)

The hospital is quite hot. We've now got a fan in the room which is a relief. Hayley is in a small room for now but will move to a larger labour room once labour starts.

It could take a couple of applications of the gel (or even three) to start things off. They are to be given at 6 hour intervals so the next one will be at 11.30pm then one in the morning around 6am. If that fails they will probably break the waters and put Hayley on a drip to start the contractions, but that's some way off. We noticed one contraction after the gel was applied but then nothing.

We've already seen several midwives. The first one was useless! She asked one question then literally 10 seconds latyer asked the same question. She also mumbled unintelligibly and knew less than me about what the various CTG traces showed! I hope she's not around tomorrow. The next midwife came and went without incident. Now she is seeing one called Louise who is very helpful, communicative and clear. Thank God! It's such a shame that Jane is not working: she would be ideal. C'est la vie.

Anyway I've been sent home to eat, post a birthday card and to leave Hayley to rest (once she has watched Eastenders no doubt). If she doesn't call beforehand I'll be back at the hospital at 10.30pm to see how things are progressing.

This is (hopefully) the last blog before the birth, but if it drags we'll probably find a way to post a blog from the Patientline system.

My potato is ready. Au revoir!