...started a couple of hours ago. Off to the clinic now. Wish us luck!
UPDATE
We went to the clinic at 6:30 or so this morning (Sunday the 7th) - it
is now 9:30PM on Sunday the 7th, and it still looks like it is going to
take some time. Megumi and the baby are fine and healthy, it's just a
long labour (about 18 hours from the first contractions to now!)
I'll let the world now (because of course the world is waiting for this
news...) as soon as there are significant developments.
UPDATE 2
I have just been sent home by the clinic to get some rest. Megumi is to
have a roommate, and there is not enough space for 3 people in the room.
I hope she's OK without me to hold her hand for a while.
They are estimating a birth in the early hours of Monday morning (which
will be 24-28 hours after the first contractions...)
UPDATE 3
1PM Monday. Still nothing, I'm afraid. if you want me to go into details
(I know my friend Pete does!), the cervix needs to dilate (is that the
word?) to around 10cm for birth. All day yesterday, Megumi's was at 3cm,
despite the ferocity of her contractions. When they called me at 6 this
morning to go back to the clinic, the 'hole' had grown to about 6cm. 7
hours later, we are at 7cm or so. She will be allowed into the 'birthing
room' when it gets to 8cm.
Her contractions appear to be getting much stronger and more painful. I
just came back home to brush my teeth, so will get back over there.
Cheers to all those who care enough about the two of us to keep
watching. I'll buy you all a drink the next time I see you!