Matthew Patrick, the first pictures
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Matthew Patrick, the first pictures |
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Matthew Patrick was born at 12.03pm on Sunday 8th October 2000.
Although the labour was shorter than for the birth of James two years ago (10 hours vs 12 hours), in many ways it seemed longer. It is often said that second babies arrive much quicker than the first, and we've heard stories recently of VERY fast labour and delivery, including one mother who didn't quite have time even to get to the car, and gave birth in the bathroom whilst her husband was taking the older child to a friend's house locally. So for a second birth you get well prepared, and make sure you're not caught out. As a result, we went to the hospital (at their advice, when Bridget phoned) a full two hours earlier than we had done with James. |
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| Of course, one of the "important things" people always want to know with new babies is "how much does he weigh?". So into the delivery room comes the scales - more high-tech than the one they used for James, and not so easy to see the figures on the photo! Matthew weighed in at a healthy 4.305 kg, or 9lb 7oz in old money. Now I wonder how much weight is contributed by the little bit of cord still attached, and by the plastic clamp they use.... |
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Before he was dressed, Carlene (the Midwife who delivered him) gave Matthew his first bath. For new mothers giving a newly-born baby a bath must be a very nervous experience, so it's a good idea to have the Midwife do it for you. Bridget, of course, is quite experienced at bathing babies, but was somewhat tired having just given birth. Matthew's skin was a little dry and will probably need some cream to get it into best condition, but he enjoyed the bath and getting dressed into a nice warm clean baby-grow. | |||||
| And here he is, soon after birth, head still elongated having just come through the birth canal, and also looking just a little purple in the cheeks. By the following day he'd fully "pinked up" and was looking in very good shape. He seems to have a good pair of lungs which he decided to exercise quite a bit during his first night in the hospital. |
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James came into the hospital to visit his mum and little brother during the afternoon. For some while James had understood that there was a baby in mummy's tummy, and although the baby was evidently outside he was still quite convinced that there was a baby still inside as well. He seems to be very happy to have a little brother and is keen to hug and cuddle him (with some assistance from mum or dad at this stage, I think...). | |||||
