Little L's birth story

I wanted to share my experience with you guys as I haven't done it yet, and it's been 1 year since I gave birth!
I still remember how quick it all went and always wanted to write it down so it stays in my memory forever!

20 June 2014 was my due date, but I didn't have any signs of contractions which was for the best at the time as we were in the middle of the move from our house to parents house and then to a new rented flat (some of you may recall the accident we had with neighbours which meant that we were force to move). 

I have agreed to have a sweep on 28th as I didn't want induction I was hoping that things will start after the sweep.

The sweep was quick but very uncomfortable, I have felt a little bit weird and few minutes later started to have weird pains, it wasn't too bad but enough for me to feel tired and I fell asleep on the in laws sofa whilst my husband and in laws were sorting our new place. 
Later in the evening of 28th June and 29th I had stronger contractions, which were getting worse and worse. I couldn't sleep as it was uncomfortable and unbearable. My husband decided that we need to start things going and ordered curry and bought some pineapples. It is hard to say if that worked but next day 30th I gave birth. 

I will never forget the moment when in laws brought curry and because I was a little bit embarrassed to make noise helping out to deal with my pain I had to lean silently on my ball and cover my face as they were watching me.  

At around 9 pm on 29th June we decided to call the hospital (we have previously called them but they said that I need to have 3 contractions in 10 minutes and then I will have to go) as I wanted to be checked. I could hardly walk and contractions were getting closer, I was convinced that I am half way dilated but according to the midwife I was 2 cm. They offered me co-codamol, which didn't work and asked if I want to stay but my husband wasn't allowed. 

It felt so wrong to stay in a hospital without my husband and I opted to go home. It was the worse night, contractions were getting worse, no matter how tired I was I couldn't sleep, at that point I was almost 2 nights without any sleep. The only option was to stay in a bath whilst my husband had some nap. The last recorded contraction I have at 3:40am I must of fell asleep for few minutes as that moment is a little bit blurry, I started to feel that I'm literally ready to give birth. L was pushing and wanted to get out and I couldn't stop it. I had to call husband whilst holding my hand down there as it was helping with pain and hoping that that way I will stall L for a bit.

My husband had to call the midwife who advised to call ambulance. This is not something I have ever imagined will happen, whilst my husband was on the phone with a midwife as she wanted to stay on the phone and to hear my voice which I thought as ridiculous as when ambulance operator asked me to spell my name! Just bare with me a second I need to go through several contractions and I will answer all you questions!

So having to phones in my ear, as midwife wanted to go through the breathing and operator wanted to be on the line to go through my details and condition! Whilst on the phone my mucus plug came out which in my state of panic felt and looked weird as I wasn't sure what it was until midwife told me.  As I was totally naked I had to rush to get dressed as wasn't ready for strangers to see me naked.

Couple of minutes later ambulance arrived, thankfully we live just 5-10 minutes away from the hospital. The moment I was introduced to gas an air I felt so much better, every contraction I had I was breathing the gas in and it felt so good and relaxing. I remember when the guy asked me question I had to stop and think or concentrate on what I was trying to say as it felt as if I'm drunk. Few minutes later, which to me were the longest few minutes we have arrived to the hospital and wheeled into the birthing pool room.

Upon the check midwife said that I'm fully dilated and we have no time for the pool. Oh my, the ring of fire exists!! I didn't want to hold my husband's hand, I couldn't stay quiet as pain was unbearable and I had to apologise for the noise I made which now seems a little bit silly! I remember I was also asked if I wanted to touch L's head which I refused to do as I could feel her head stuck there anyway!

And there she was born on 30th June at 5:32 am, my little princess! 

I must say there are few things I'm not happy with the way they were handled:

- I thought that it is ridiculous to ask a woman which is about to give birth details over the phone this is something my husband deal with
- the whole idea of not being admitted to hospital if you don't have 3 contractions in 10 minutes didn't work for me hence I ended up in an ambulance. I do believe if they allowed my husband to stay with me, it all wouldn't be so stressful and rushed!

Days Out: Folly Farm Adventure park and Zoo, Pembrokshire

I must say that our visit was a little bit darkened on the day due to a little misunderstanding between in-house PR and private PR company working for Folly Farm. No one expected us on the day and a Folly Farm staff member was going back and forth several time just to clarify my name and what I'm there for, after quite a long and awkward wait we were told that our tickets (adult £10.95, £8.96 if bought online) expired in March which didn't make any sense at all as I have approached PR in April. It wasn't the greatest start especially as we had little one and no one bothered to apologise for the wait and inconvenience caused, next time I would prefer to buy tickets rather than to go through the same embarrassment on the day. 

We are a very special zoo park in South Wales where you can make all sorts of farmyard friends!

Meet our friendly sheep, pigs, donkeys, horses, chickens and all sorts of other farmyard creatures.

We also introduce visitors to many exotic species, with keeper talks and feeding times which help you to understand a bit more about some of our wilder residents. You will also discover a whole host of fascinating facts by taking our Zoolympic Challenge Trail.

We have visited Folly Farm whilst we stayed in Bluestone Wales in May and apart from the rocky start we really enjoyed the Farm and the Zoo. 
As we arrived to the Folly Farm car park we then followed the sign telling us to go under the underpass as the Farm itself is across the road. 
Upon you arrival you will be given a map so that you can decide where you want to go first. 

We went to Jolly barn first where you saw different types of hens and cockerels, Shire horse- the biggest horse I have ever seen, donkeys, goats, a cute little incubator section where you and kids can learn a little bit more about little chicks and much more.

As we were about to leave the section when we have noticed that in the Cwtch corner the staff member was holding a rabbit which we could hold and stroke.

On the way to the Zoo section we have seen outdoor Adventure play area with an interesting welsh red dragon playground, big pirate ship activity area, go-karts, pedal tractors, big wheel.

The Zoo for me was the best part and I can tell that L enjoyed it as well. As she is still little I could see that she enjoyed penguins more as they were constantly moving. We have seen absolutely beautiful little marmoset monkeys, giraffes, lions, cute meerkats, lemur, ocelot, we haven't seen a skunk itself but we could definitely smell it.

We have spent about and hour and a half in the Folly Farm without stopping in the Adventure play area the activities were for older kids but it would be great if Folly Farm could have something for smaller kids as well.

Now looking at the map I have noticed a Follywood area which myself or my husband haven't seen any signs for on the day. I remember that on the way back to the car park we saw a couple walking in the same underpass but in the different "tunnel" and I was wondering where this tunnel leads. It such a shame that we have missed the nature trail as it would be lovely to investigate that part of the Farm, till the next time I guess!


Disclaimer: I were provided with a free entry for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Birthday gift ideas: Kid's Concept

Few weeks ago I came across a Swedish online shop offering cute, original gifts for babies and children. As a big fan of Scandinavian clothes (I have already bought few cute sleepsuits for when L is 1 and a winter jacket and trousers) I thought that it would be lovely to spread the word about the brand. Kid's Concept have kindly offered to review a toy box just in time for L's 1st birthday which I will be sharing with you shortly.

These are just few of my favourite Kid's Concept products:

1 Pumpkin - Pink 100% Cotton Runner Rug £32.90 
2. Star - White Wooden Dolls Pram £69.9 
3. Princess - Pink Childrens Play Tent £32.90 
4. Pumpkin - Large Wooden Building Blocks £24.90 
5. Star - White Wooden Chair £39.90
6. Star - White Wooden Table £49.90  
7. Star - Pink Wooden Hammer Bench £19.90  

Brand:

Kids Concept UK is an established Swedish brand that offers unique, original concepts and designs of childrens bedroom and nursery accessories, baby bedding, toys and gifts for children ages 0 - 7 yrs. If you are looking for great ideas to transform a childs bedroom or a babys nursery, you are sure to find these here with our fantastic selection of wooden storage boxes, hook boards, shelves, cute wall decorations, baby bedding, curtains and blinds. Our colourful and fun handmade wooden toys such as the rocking horses, play instruments, dolls cots and prams would also be a wonderful addition in any child’s room and teamed together with our colourful play tents & tunnels they will be the envy of all their friends.
With the growing trend for children's décor, they found that certain unique items were missing from the market, so the inspiration of Kids Concept was born. By coordinating our products by colour and concept as well as showing how to mix and match our designs, we aim to help the customer easily create a stylish coordinated design.

All of our products are designed by Kids Concept and are all quality controlled. Our wooden products are hand-made – with each one being unique. We are continuously expanding our range creating new concepts and product line with our own design and pattern. All with a Touch of Scandinavia.

Products:

We manufacture most of our products in Asia and particularly China and Vietnam. We cooperate with some twenty factories around China and we visit our manufacturers continuously. It is important for us to verify that the factories and suppliers we work with follow all the rules, environment and job requirements that are asked.
We follow all the rules that apply to small parts, risk of pinching, choking hazards, dyes, flame resistance, chemical agents, plasticisers called phthalates, etc. It ensures that before a toy coming onto the market an independent testing laboratory has tested the toy. All other products that are not toys but sold to children are tested so that they contain only approved substances.


What is your favourite item from the Kid's Concept website?