It's Friay 3rd at about 5:30 and Jem says to me, "I am having a bit of cramp and have had a bit of show, so have called the maternity ward who would like to see me".

Jaya is picked up by Ma-in-Law and off Mum and Dad (to be) whisk off to the Hospital. The midwives scuttle about in a cloud of efficiency and hook Jem up to the baby monitor.
After a short while the midwife decides that all is OK, except that baby is a little slow at reacting to the contractions. Mild concern but not too much to worry about but they are keeping Jemma in. Better safe than sorry.

I pootle off home after a couple of hours, Jemma is getting some rest and I want to do likewise.

My dreams are full of "what if" scenarios, most of them straight out of ER, with strange gynaecological tools and terminology. I am reminded of the film "Dead Ringers" not for the squeemish.

Saturday dawns and Jem phones from the hospital to tell me they have moved her into the delivery room overnight to just be safe.

I scoot off to the hospital and just before I get to the room the midwife tells me that the contractions are slowing and they hope that Jemma can go home later. This is re-inforced by Jemma and the monitor. However...

Jemma's lunch was served at about 12:30pm a chicken italiano and veg affair, not Haute Cuisine but Jemma scarfs it down.

After a shortwhile she starts to complain of stomach ache, and the montior shows these big jaggy traces which have replaced the smooth ebbs and flows of the pre-lunch era.

A midwife is summoned who says she's gonna keep and eye on us, and have waters broken yet? Which they hadn't, so Jemma keeps saying that's a good sign meaning the baby won't be premature. The midwife then gives Jem an examine and tells her "7cm dilated and contractions 1-2 mins apart".
"We're having a baby Jemma, today"
"No, it's too early"
"No, it's now"
Then I think it slowly dawns on Jemma, this IS going to happen and NOW!!!
There is a small respite and I scoot off and phone, Jemma's parents, both phones are on ansaphone, I call my parents.
"Mum Jemma is 7cm Dilated and contractions are 1-2 mins apart"
"Ooo, that's good. We're having Spaghetti Bolognese" My Mum's answer throws me slightly.
"Err, right" , I resist coming back with, "well we're having a baby, Paper wraps rock, we win!!!"
Later on I am told she had had a couple of glasses of wine, well it is their 40-th wedding anniversary (on the 5th).

I scoot back to the room, and then we have the baby. Sorry to cut to the chase, I am sure Jemma will plug the gaps. But it was literally that wuick, I have looked at the time of the call to my parents "13:17" (1:17pm).
Time of birth 13:38 (1:38pm), that means that in under an hour Jemma went from pre labour contractions to BABY!

So, for everyone:
A boy
Jove Campbell Bailey Morrison
Born 4th March 1:38pm
Weight 6lb 10oz
Length (Err, TBC!)
All fingers and toes, feeding well and making himself comfortable in this big wide world. Jemma is well, managed it all with Gas and Air and looks amazing, certainly does not look as if she has just given birth.
We are happy, he's five weeks early but is in very good health.



Jove Says Hello







Mum and Me Lad!!!




So now Jemma has two babies to write about!

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