Already posted my birth story in 2006, but I'm participating Time Travels over at Annie's, so here goes the abridged version [still a long one though :-)]:
Maybe This Time (November 13, 2005)
Apart from last night’s tightening of my belly muscles (enough to rob me some sleep), everything’s fine. I even went through my early morning walk even when I was already spotting blood, a result of the “tissue-stripping” performed on me by my
I got pangs of pain, which I also expected but they're gone even before I could finish counting up to ten.
Despite all my assurances, I was, with my parents’ insistence, brought to the hospital at
The LR, where I was ushered was not so big; but it had 1 CR, an examination table, a bed and some tech to monitor the baby’s heartbeat etc... When I got there, I was quite put off because I was made to wear a gown with a big slit at the back. That plus some other things like a woman in labor who was writhing in pain and looking as if she’d collapse any minute, made the LR a nerve-fraying hole. Not to mention that the number of nurses there bothered me. Too many, I noticed.
So when my
This is the day!
Morning of
In the hope of advancing my labor, I -with my mother accompanying me- walked around the hosp lobby. When there’s still no notable progress, Mama left for work.
It was at almost noontime when I was ushered to the LR again. I was still feeling okay, no “steady pain” felt. However, when an IV tube was inserted on my hand, I flinched ouch! "For what?" I had wanted to ask but forgot to.
Considerable time had passed when I became aware that I was “drugged”. Later on, when I remembered to ask the attending midwife, I would know what that drug was for - to induce my labor. I certainly wouldn’t want to be induced! I had wanted to have a drug-free labor, if possible. No sooner had I thought, Oh well, too late now than
But when I was IE-ed again, little after noontime, there’s still no progress. Hence, my dosage of that inducing drug was increased. An hour later, my contractions were getting close at interval, but the extent of pain was still manageable.
About
[wee hour in the morning when he turned 11-month old]
I was still composed when my bag of water broke and blood was trickling down on me. I was ready for all of these. I had anticipated more pain – I kept on expecting more and more and some more while remembering my yoga breathing exercise and the tips from my online pregnancy class. I willed myself to stay calm because I am aware of the effect of fear to our organs. And I was at peace. I had never been calmer in my whole life.
Throughout this ordeal, my father silently kept me company [hubby was an overnight boat ride away then]. Mama, who came after the amniocentesis, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. Seeing her that way was making me uncomfortable, so I asked for her to wait outside of the LR instead – to which she willingly obliged.
Minutes after
There was no time to ask questions. As I was rushed to the delivery room (DR), it dawned on me that this must already be “it.” In one corner of the DR, I can hear my OB asking the midwife how far in labor was I. Vaguely, I heard say, “crowning”. Crowning in layman’s term means the head is already coming out.
The next moment, she was coaching me to push and I was trying my darndest to push real hard. As far as I can remember, I only got to push thrice - the third time I pushed, my baby came out.
As I heaved a sigh of relief and whispered a prayer of thanks, I felt my world came to a halt at that instant. While my baby was handed to me, the word “mother” echoed in the far recesses of my mind. “Welcome to this world” were the very first words I heard myself utter to my baby as I lovingly held him in my arms.
[At 21-month old]
I couldn’t believe that after months and months of carrying a heavy and bulging tummy, here he is and I am holding him now. At last! I thought, I am a mother and I am this adorable baby’s mother. It was a very tear-jerker moment. Just amazing. A moment of surreal quality.
And the next thing I knew, I was being stitched already (yes, I had an episiotomy and although I can clearly remember the feel of tissue tearing, I didn’t feel much pain while being slashed. I must have been too numb with all the emotions). But in my euphoric state of mind, I mumbled a request for an anesthesia (And to think I had wanted an all-natural delivery! LOL) but my
Days later, in the confines of my
7 comments:
what a great story. my oldest sons bithday is November 15 but the year was 1999. my Little Man however was born exactly 6 months after your baby on May 14 2005
great Time Travel Tuesday
I love that moment of wonder when holding our babies for the first time! You expressed that well.
thanks for the sweet comments..
KC, if you were my neighbor, i would hav liked to visit your place with my son..kiddo loves kids a lot..am sure he'd love to play with your little man... there aren't that many in my house, actually he's still my only one for now..or in the neighborhood.
his cousins visit us from time to time though.
And thanks Barbara for the compliment..indeed seeing the baby first time is an unforgettable moment
Ouch! I can feel the pain during your labor moments...it lasts that long?
I really thank God i did not have a hard time in giving birth...even with my first child.
thanks for sharing your story!!!
Zam,
I will be back tomorrow for this read. I am trying to keep on track with the Thankful Thursday posts. I think you were number 12. I am making progress.
I will probably check in again tomorrow or on Sunday. Blessings, Lynn
Post a Comment