Twitter-mad mum tweets throughout birth of son

A Twitter-mad mum kept her pals updated during the birth of her son – by delivering a tweet-by-tweet account of her entire labour.

Rachael Ince, 29, is obsessed with the social networking site and constantly updates her feed throughout the day.

So when she went into labour she reached for her iPhone and sent 104 tweets detailing every step of the process until she was discharged nearly three days later.

The tweets begin on the evening of Friday, December 3, when Rachael was 39 weeks and two days pregnant.

She was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary and eventually gave birth to 7lb 1oz Elliot Chester, her second son, at 7pm the following day.

Rachel talked her 400 followers through her journey to hospital in the snow, her anxious wait for the contractions to speed up, and the dramatic moment she is rushed into a delivery suite.

Professional Photographer Rachael, of Birstall, Leicester, said: ”I use Twitter a lot. I use it for my personal life and the birth was a pretty major event in my life.

”I thought it might be a good way to document what happened and how I was feeling during the birth.”

The tweets start at teatime on December 3 when Rachael tweets: ”Contractions have started. It’s bloody freezing outside. Only a matter of time now.”

The full transcript from then:

9:13pm: I’m a bit bored and oddly am finding myself willing the pain to start. Just for a bit of interest. #givingbirth

9:31: Contractions now beginning to get a little uncomfortable. Almost time to ring the labour ward and see if they have space yet.

9:46: Michael MacIntyre is making me chuckle. I’m sure this is excellent for #givingbirth

10:04: Hospital still closed for admissions. I have to call the other local hospital. Boooo. They’re engaged at the mo

10:51: What?!?!?! A “can’t cope” bot?!

10:52: Twitter… I could be here for some time. Please keep me entertained. I’m not used to staying up this late.

10:55: Mum has now gone to bed in our bed so things had better bloody happen tonight. Should I walk around to encourage things?

10:59: Well, this will soon drive me crazy. Walking round in a circle in the lounge. And now it’s snowing. Great.

11:28: At what time do I give up and go to sleep? On the sofa, now that grandma’s in my bed?!

11:28: Oh god. What have we done? Come on contractions. Get a move on. Right now.

11:30: And now it’s snowing. Great.

12:02am (Now Dec 4): Given up and snoozing on the sofa. Contractions are intense enough that I doubt I’ll be falling asleep but resting at least.

12:03: And at least I’m less bored and maybe hubby will get some sleep and be a better birth partner.

12:11: Ok longest gap between contractions since my waters broke. Over 10 minutes. That’s not fair. Come on body… Get moving.

1:22: Ouch that one hurt

1:33: Another one like that and I’m going to have to wake up properly and start concentrating on them.

1:46: Hmmm. I wonder if #givingbirth will take me over 6,000 tweets. It’s given me 25 new followers already.

1:50: Hmmm. Had to focus on my breathing through that one. Have awoken husband

1:57: Omg. Can’t stop shivering now. Wish I hadn’t moved out of my cosy sofa spot. Sent hubby to get me food and drink.

2:00: Of course, now I’ve decided we moved onto the next phase and may need to ring hospital again, that one hurt less.

2:02: Mmmm buttery crumpet. Om nom nom

2:06: Wahoooooo! My hospital of choice is now accepting patients again! Yay me for holding out til 2am!

2:17: In the car… Off we go to hospital.

2:21: Eek. A hairy moment getting the car off our driveway then. Motoring slowly now. Damn snow.

2:50: Just arrived at hospital. Of course it all feels less intense now. Hope they don’t send me home.

3:03: For that woman’s pushing hard.

3:41: Bored again now. Come on baby. Get a move on

4:06: I’m giggling at the sound of other women in pain. Not really very fair of me is it?

4:22: Time for a breakfast bar. Eating through the boredom.

5:39: Doctor cannot confirm if my waters have gone or not. Well I can dear. I recognised the feeling.

5:40: And contractions have gone all pathetic again so looks like we’re in for more boredom

6:11: And everything has stopped. #givingbirth Been moved to a ward, hubby sent home and two babies in this ward snuffling and crying. Great.

7:43: I think it’s breakfast time on this ward. Thing is… I’m too tired to get up. My contractions hurt more now.

9:00: I miss my little boy. I think I’m going to get all emotional due to lack of sleep. 🙁

9:15: Oooh that hurt. Over half an hour since the previous contraction but ouch.

10:26: Ok so the really big painful ones seem to come after a long gap.

10:58: Local paper showing an interest in me for tweeting the birth. Best watch what I say from now on. Nothing too gruesome.

11:09: All strapped up for a bit of monitoring. Hopefully will be off by time toddler arrives for his visit. Else no cuddles for me.

11:31: Well he’s gotten very lively since we’ve been listening to his heartbeat! Tried to kick the monitor off several times.

12:23pm: Flying visit from toddler who was more interested in playing with my phone than seeing me. But then got upset as he left. 🙁

12:37: Ooh I actually groaned during that contraction. Things are looking up. What a strange thing this is.

12:48: And there blows another. InceyDaddy said my eyes went funny on that contraction. Bloody hurt, though.

1:21: Yum yum yum yum. Why do I love the NHS food so much? I’m being genuine before anyone else makes jokes. I love it. Love it.

2:05: What have I done to my shoulder?! It hurts so much.

2:24: Ok. Every 10 minutes and pretty damn painful. Let’s keep this up baby. Well, less pain and get out quickly please.

2:57: am becoming a Twitter sensation. Hello new followers. Hope things move fast enough to keep your interest. Contractions about every 10 mins.

2:39: And we’re definitely going to miss X Factor tonight. Will be relying on friends to keep me updated.

2:58: But it all started at toddler’s bedtime last night (7pm) when I felt a pop inside!!! So he’s taking his time!

3:03: Ooh a bit red in the face. Who needs those blusher tips from the#5minsmax twitter party the other day?!

3:07: Midwife said it’s time to get things moving faster so we’re off to pace the corridors. You may join us twitter!

3:19: Oooh this is working. More like every 5 mins now

3:37: Walking up and downstairs sideways. Like a crab. Only now I’ve exhausted myself!!!

3:58: Contractions slowed. Up a little since we came for a sit down and a square of chocolate. Must start walking again.

3:59: Determined to give birth today now so… Back we go. No time for phone charging. (hope it lasts)

4:30: Have asked for my first stage of soon relief – paracetamol. Partly cause I know I won’t get the good stuff until I’ve tried it.

4:40: I’m sure anyone passing my cubicle just then would have thought InceyDad was getting a special treat. So much panting

5:12: Off to get a bath running so tweeting will be in the hands of @Paulieofficial for a while.

6:02: Did NOT like the bath. Contractions in there were awful

6:10: Do not like this. It hurts. And they don’t have gas & air here. Have to be examined and sent to labour ward before I get it

6:28: Up we go to delivery. Emergency. She upset baby by poking him in the bed

** At this point the baby’s heartbeat has dipped and Rachael is rushed into a delivery suite and gave birth to Elliot at 7pm after ten minutes of ”proper pushing” **

8:21: Hello. Lost me there for a bit as it all got a bit urgent and sudden. Got to tell family and then will be back with details

9:29: I’m so tired I feel a little sick!

9:39: Ow god damn after pains. Like rubbing salt in the wound.

9:49: Awww so many messages I need to catch up on. Thank you for all your congratulating

10:18: Ha ha. Daddy is putting on the first nappy.

10:20 Elliot Chester was born at 7pm weighing 7lb 1oz. And I was expecting a big ‘un!

10:41 Bloody hell. Went all faint. Glad that InceyDaddy is coming to the shower with me

11:17 COME ON. I HAVE NOT SLEPT FOR 36 HOURS. TAKE ME BACK TO MY BED NOW.

11:41 Ok now it’s just me and the baby. Bit frightened. Didn’t do this last time. Do I just ignore him and go to sleep?

1145: Goodnight twitter. Hope you enjoyed my 24 hours of #givingbirth. Now to sleep for at least 12. Please.

5:50am: (Now Dec 5) Yeah come on Elliot. The other babies have been crying all night stopping me from sleeping. Your turn. Make some noise!

6:00: Ok little boy. I hope that was just air because soiling you nappy before daddy arrived to deal with it is banned

8:10: ‘hic hic hic’

8:21: Gotta get me some breakfast.

8:35: Midwife “would you like any painkillers?” Me: “YES please”.

9:31: Oh yay – a clean house to go home to: “@PaulieOfficial: Just hoovering house realising how much mess just ONE child makes

11:43: Hearing test passed. Someone will check up on ME at somepoint I guess.

12:14pm Yay. Bounty packs. Let’s see what goodies we have in here.

1:11: I’m listening to the ‘professional’ photographer in the bay next to me coming out with excuse after excuse as to why it’s not working.

1:35: He looks so ickle.

3:23: Blimey. I was fast asleep and now there’s a toddler here meeting my baby!!

6:02: Awesome. Compliment the catering staff and get a double portion. Hubby’s got a lot to live up to when I get home!!

6:26: So I’m staying in hospital another night so we can keep an eye on this green puke (baby, not me). And damn it, I just got a new neighbour.

6:27: Her baby had better stay quiet all night. I really need to get some sleep before mine becomes a regular feeder!

7:01: Ooh still getting the odd name question. Elliot Chester was born at 7pm last night & weighed just 7lb1oz. I’m off to attempt some sleep now.

9:02: I think the new mum next door may be on the phone all night. She’s worried about every twitch.

9:14: Every time this baby latches on to feed, he pulls the same face I would pull if someone put a spoonful of marmite in my mouth. How rude.

9:24: Ahhh. My next door neighbour (the real one at home) just saw on facebook and sent me a text. And her boy is 2 today!

9:54: Ok. Now I’m cross. All that crying just cause he wants a cuddle. When I want to sleep. Yet I’m also enamoured at the way he’s looking at me.

10:07: Ah no. Think neighbour is now crying. I sort of want to ask if she’s ok.

10:17: Have lost all sympathy again now she’s talking to the baby. She better shut up once the lights are off. I need sleep.

10:42: Oh. Em. Gee. Just saw her. She was wearing big fluffy eeyore slippers. SO glad I didn’t try to talk to her through the curtain.

10:43: And then a midwife kindly pointed out that before my milk comes in, the boy is going to want to feed all the time to get his fill

10:57: Hmmm. I think the midwife was wrong. He’s fast asleep on my shoulder. Let’s attempt a return to the cot again.

11:09: ARGH. She’s making another phone call. She’s telling her other half to ‘get some sleep’. HOW ABOUT ME?

11:11: Did I really just hear the words “give max a stroke for me”???? Pet owners of twitter… Is this ok?!

11:25: Christ. I hope nobody thinks that really loud fart was me. Does that gas expulsion mean I can put him down again now?

11:26: Yay. Lights off.

11:34: Twitter, we may finally have a situation which is conducive to sleep. I’m off quickly to take advantage. Night. x

12:28am (now Dec 6) I’m back. It’s going to be one of those nights.

12:59: Blummin’ strong neck muscles this one. Already lifting up to have a good look at my face.

1:03 Oooh. I can try out my baby sling when I get home.

7:42: OmG. She’s on the phone again. Why is her phone voice louder than her talking voice?!

9:32 I have a baby who doesn’t like to be put down. This doesn’t suit my parenting style.

12:52 Yay. We’re all discharged and ready to go. Lunch for me whilst toddler is at home sleeping then daddy will be in to collect us.