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Hello, My Name Is Giulia!

I'm finally here! I was born at 10.20 pm on Sunday 12th December 2004 in the Delivery Suite of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK. I weighed 6lbs 5oz (2.85 kg) at birth.

Here are some photographs taken on the first day of my life.

			These photos were taken a few minutes after I was born. Mamma and Daddy look very tired but relieved.
			It looks like I had a busy day! I slept, had my first bath and got cuddled by Mamma, Daddy and Nonna Carmen.

How I Was Born...

Mamma started having contractions Sunday morning. Daddy took her to the hospital about 2 pm when her contractions were about 5 minutes apart. At this point her cervix was about 5 cm dilated. About 4 pm she had an epidural and she was fully dilated by about 8 pm.

Poor Mamma started pushing about 8.45 pm after letting the epidural wear off a little. At about 10 pm the midwife decided that she needed some extra help, so Mamma was given an episiotomy and I had a ventouse-assisted delivery. I started crying immediately after being born. According to Mamma's medical notes I had an Apgar score of 9 after one minute and 10 after five minutes.

Mamma, Daddy and Nonna Carmen were present at my birth. All of them are very proud of me and are relieved that I am finally here. For my first couple of nights I was recovering in the Marsh Ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Daddy stayed with Mamma and me during the day. Nonna stayed overnight. I came home on the afternoon of Tuesday 14th December.

Daddy thinks that I am beautiful. I have his lips, which complement my light brown hair and big, round, grey-blue eyes. I also do that lip pouching thing that Daddy does when he's been naughty. I wonder if that will come in handy later?

Mamma is breastfeeding me. I do like Mamma's milk but I get cranky when I can't get quite get to her nipple properly. I'm sure that I'll get the hang of this eventually.

To read more about me and my first few days click here.

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