Well, Erica phoned about 10.15pm (in the middle of the Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook) to say that Hari had had an epidural. The baby is fine but everything is very slow. Hari’s being put on a drip to get things moving again, but she’s unlikely to give birth until the small hours. So, it could be a 24 hour labour.

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It’s now more than 12 hours since Hari phoned to say that she was in labour, and still no news. It looks like the hospital was right to tell her that it may take 12 hours. I haven’t heard from Erica since mid-afternoon and I am beginning to imagine awful things. But good things could be happening, or nothing at all. Erica’s mobile is off, so I assume she and Doug are still in the hospital.

I am struggling to be detached, but I can’t settle to any sensible task. I could watch The Importance of Being Earnest but I feel I should focus on Hari and pray for the safe delivery of her baby.

I just hate being separated from those I love at a time like this, but I just have to be patient.

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It’s been a strange day. Erica’s phoned a couple of times to report no progress with the birth. Hari’s contractions had returned, but there was no sign of the baby appearing by mid afternoon.

She will almost certainly remain in hospital overnight. Erica will stay in Hatfield and fetch Hari from hospital tomorrow (assuming the baby’s arrived by then). My birthday party will go ahead regardless.

Meantime, Erica’s dad and I roasted a nice piece of pork for lunch and had yoghurt and ice cream for dessert. All the Christmas food in Hari and Doug’s flat!

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Angharad phoned at about twenty to seven this morning to tell us that she’d gone into labour. Her waters had broken and her contractions were coming regularly and this had been going on for a couple of hours by the time she phoned.

The hospital weren’t all that keen for her to go in at that point. They told Hari that her labour could go on for 12 hours. Erica told Hari to tell the hospital that she came from a line of women who birthed quickly - Erica gave birth to Hari herself in a couple of hours. However, the doctor told her that there was no reason why, genetically speaking, Hari should give birth quickly just because her mother did.

Hari called us a bit later from the taxi taking her to hospital. Erica left at 7.30am for the hospital.

Later on, Erica called me to say that Hari’s contractions had slowed down, so it may be the afternoon or evening before she gives birth.

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