I first began my labor on Friday, March 28, 2008. I decided to have a lazy day as it was the day before my due date and I wanted to make the most of the rest before Baby arrived. I noticed slight niggle pains at around 10 a.m. I began timing them; they were on the dot every seven minutes.

By 1 p.m. the pains had increased slightly and were still quite regular. I was so excited that this could finally be my day. I rang my mother-in-law, who came to the house and sat with me to see what happened over the next few hours.

By 4 p.m. there was a definite increase in the pain. My partner came darting back from work, only to sit the rest of the afternoon out with me at home. The labor ward advised us it was too soon to come to the hospital and to sit tight.

By 9 p.m. (two Coronation Streets and Eastenders later) I decided it was time to visit the labor ward. As they hooked me up to the machines to see how Baby was doing my waters broke. This was it! It was finally my turn.

However, they wanted to send me home! I refused and asked them to try and find me a room. The thought of getting dressed again and going back out in the rain with these contractions was unbearable!

They sent my partner home and gave me two pain killers. I slept in between contractions until 5 a.m. The pain killers wore off and the pain was crippling. I was advised to try a bath. It may work for some people; however, I now just felt cold, wet and unable to get the strength to get back out again!

By 7:50 a.m. I rang the bell and begged the midwife to check my dilation. She refused, claiming that my contractions were still too far apart and the risk of infection was high due to my waters already breaking. She also mentioned that I might have to be induced on Sunday as my labor was progressing slowly.

By 8:10 a.m. I rang the bell and screamed at the midwife to check me. This time she did, only to realize I was 6 centimeters dilated! We walked to the labor room and I rang my partner to get to the hospital ASAP.

I begged for an epidural. The midwife was not convinced that I was 6 centimeters as my contractions were still far apart. She decided to check me again (now 8:25 a.m.). I was 9 centimeters; it was too late for any drugs! I was devastated. The midwife left the room to get a gas and air nozzle, but my baby was coming. I was in the room alone pushing.

My boyfriend ran into the room (he had heard me screaming from reception). He saw the baby crowning, grabbed my hand and started telling me to push. The midwife eventually entered the room with the nozzle but it was too late, the head had been born. All I had to do was push out her body. One big last push and out she came.

They put her straight on to me at 8:50 a.m., March 29, 2008 (her due date) and the trauma of the last hour melted away. She was beautiful and still is.

Now 5 weeks old, she gave her first smile yesterday. She's my angel.

Good luck to anyone who reads this. It really is all worth it.