I arrived at back the hospital around 7:20am. Danielle was already up and dressed in a blue hospital gown, ready to go.
At 7:30am, the anaesthetist gave us a quick briefing, and by 7:45am we were on our way to the operating theatre.
I was given a set of clothes to put on (complete with shoe covers and mesh hat), and then waited outside while they prepared Danielle with an epidural.
At 8:15am, they told me that everything was ready to go, and after putting on a face mask I was ushered into the theatre. I handed our camera to one of the midwives, and sat on a seat next to Danielle.
A sheet was blocking our view of the 'business end' (thank god!), so Danielle and I chatted (although I can't remember what about) while everyone around went about their business.
After a few minutes, the paedeatrician said that they were almost done. He asked if this was our second child, and Danielle told him that we had an 18 month old son.
Right at that moment (8:30am), the obstetrician called out from behind the sheet "well now you have a........"
(seconds pass)
".....GIRL!"
After 5 generations of boys on my family's side, we were so convinced that this would be another boy that we both looked at each other for minute, unable to speak.
"It isn't!", Danielle said, not believing him. Sure enough, he dropped the sheet and held up our baby girl for us to see.
A quick kiss, then they whisked her away to cut the cord and wrap her up. Then they passed her back to us to hold for while, as the midwife took photos.
I went with the baby down to the nursery for the usual health checks, while Danielle was stiched up and went off to recovery.
The paediatrician weighed, measured, poked and prodded for a while, and gave her the all clear.
At 10:00am, we were back in the ward ready to start phoning family & friends.
