Anya’s Birth

It was a cold rainy night, 2nd November 2017, the contractions started from 10pm, getting very intense from 3am. I felt very much manageable and it was more like an intense period cramps. Suresh was sleeping and i didn’t want to wake him up until my contractions were strong. By 6am the contractions were intense and i had to sit and breath for every contraction and i was also timing it with the contraction tracker app. It was then 1 min contraction with 4 mins apart. By 7 i called my midwife. She asked to take a shower to ease the pain. So i took a shower and still didn’t feel better. Then Suresh woke up and he called the midwife to make sure if we are in early labour. She asked him if the contractions eased after shower. He said no. Midwife was like ‘Oh that means she is in real labour’. We were so excited. Our midwife came home in 15 mins. And checked my dilation which was then 2cm. For every contraction i was distracting myself like riding a horse sitting on the edge of the bed. The midwife said  that i am handling it really well and  recommended not to take epidural. She wanted me to deliver in the midwife birth centre. But I had epidural and hospital birth in my birth plan. So I wanted to stick to the birth plan. The midwife called the hospital to get a place for me. Unfortunately all nearby hospitals were busy and finally there was a place in St. Antonius hospital which was a bit far from our house. But still we drove there. While I was praying to reach the hospital as soon as possible my husband told me, we might be late as we need to stop for petrol. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t fill the tank while our due date is so close. We then reached the hospital by 10am and there was a welcome board with my name in front of the labour & delivery room. It was so exciting and surreal as everything is going too fast and the day has come.

At the hospital :

Our nurse greeted us with smile and asked me to wear a comfortable outfit. I wanted to wear a nice dress but ended up wearing a comfortable night wear. Then she has put an IV line in my arm and then a Midwife came to break my water and found that baby has passed meconium which may be because of stress. And then she started to  explain everything about epidural and at pushing stage there won’t be epidural (as they will wait for 2 hours until the epidural is worn off before I am ready to push) as i should feel every contractions. I didn’t expect this as I thought i was able to manage the contractions and was scared only about the pushing stage. But then I agreed to it. And finally the anesthesiologist came to give epidural. Things changed after that.

I was so much relaxed and slept for few mins. I had a little bit of itchy feel which didnt bother me much. Then they checked dilation at 2pm. It was only 4 cm. So they gave me pitocin to progress labour. By 5pm they checked and said i dilated to 9 cm. Sometime later the nurse took off the epidural and wanted me to wait. I was given a remote to call for help if needed. Slowly i felt the pressure and urge to push. 

Pushing stage:

Suddenly there was nobody around me and I wanted to push very badly. So pressed the help button and there was a student midwife. She asked to hold the push and told she is waiting for her colleague to join. So i was waiting for that colleague who is supposedly an experienced midwife. But nobody came. At one point i shouted like i cant bear anymore. So the student midwife asked to slightly start pushing. Guess all midwives were busy and so we were stuck with one student midwife. Asked me to keep my shoulders round, chin on chest and bear down as long as possible. Then Breath out – Breath in – push. I was not able to do this well. She then asked Suresh to stand on the other side of the bed. And asked me to place my legs on both their hips. One on Suresh and one on midwife. This position was very much uncomfortable for me. I was waiting for some experienced midwife as I lost hope on this midwife as she was not really communicative. I couldn’t believe that the midwife took help from Suresh and he was one active person helping me deliver the baby. I so wished him  to be standing by my side encouraging and supporting me. But ya it is also his proud moment as he was playing the role of midwife helping me to deliver the baby. It was very painful and I felt a burning sensation and yes the ring of fire is so true. I felt like I was left alone and nobody to motivate or cheer me up. (Now I know why hiring a doula is highly recommended.) The midwife frowned and was not really having a positive face. I gave up at one stage. I thought something is wrong and i was not able to do it. Finally after one hour of trying I pushed really hard and then Anya was born at 6:32pm on 3rd November 2017.

Immediately Anya was placed on me for skin to skin. And then Suresh cut the cord.

After Birth:

I was so happy. The best and unforgettable moment in my life. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I felt very much empowered and proud. Later the midwife checked me and said i had major tearing (3rd degree tear) with lots of blood loss and need to be moved to operation theatre and do stitches with spinal block. Then a  gynaecologist came and analyzed the situation. He said he will manage to stitch in delivery room itself. Suresh and i were talking to distract from the stitches. Anya was on my chest looking at me. I will never ever forget that eyes and face, the way she looked at us. Even now when she looks up to me it reminds me of this moment. 

After the stitches they cleaned me. Weighed Anya ( she was 3.4 kg) and all process was over by 9pm. I was then moved to recovery room.