Well, Saturday, August 28th ,2004 was my birthday but more importantly, was the day I went into labour. I had been feeling unwell the past few days (ever since my doctor's appointment that thursday, when Dr. Reimer checked me and told me I was 2 cms dilated) but I was excited. Finally, my baby was on his/her way out. Saturday night Suki & Rita came over to celebrate but I wasn't myself. I had to go downstairs a few times and lie down. I had tears streaming down my face cus I didn't feel good but Rita was so sweet and said "Its can get very emotional" tryingto comfort me. Well that night I couldn't sleep because my contractions had started though they were very minor. I walked around and watched a little TV. I remember watching Days of Thunder with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman ( ...more on that later...).
I called my Doula (Rayann) who said she would be over if need be but my contractions were still far apart.
By morning I called my doula, who came over at 6am. I was lying in my bed and she was helping me work though the contractions. She would press on my lower spine and it really helped. I asked Peter to go bring me a banana.
As Peter was going upstairs, I heard "WHERE IS ALL THIS WATER FROM !!". I remember lying there and thinking, Oh my god, my water broke and I didn't even know it.
Well, I was wrong. It turned out a city pipe had burst in our downstairs tv room and now the downstairs (besides our room) was all flooded. Like there wasn't enough to deal with this morning ! Poor Peter was trying to deal with me being in labour and the flooded basement. We left for the hospital around 9:30am. Said bye to dad and though mom had gone down the street to go to the washroom. Turns out she was upstairs. She called us on the way to the hospital crying because she had wanted to come with us. Well, the last thing I needed was my mother-in-law in the delivery room with me.
We got to BC Women's Hospital at 10:15am and waited for a room. I was checked and was told I was 5-6 cm dilated. I was so happy cus now they would admit us.
The contractions keep coming....I took a shower, I sat on the exercise ball..Peter and Rayann were such a big help. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Peter to see me in all this pain but he was so strong. As every contraction came on, I would usually moan through it. On and on it went.
At 5pm, the nurse came to measure me and said I was still 5-6 cm dilated. All day, all those contractions and I hadn't dialated any further. I was so disappointed.
The doctor wanted to put me on Oxytocin which helps bring on contractions and allows you to dilate furthur. I had read about Oxytocin. I knew it would be tough to handle back-to-back contractions. I had been up all night and now all day and I had a feeling I would be up another night. So, I decided that I would take the Epidural and then take Oxytocin. I was given the Epidural at 6pm. I remember the feeling when I could see the contraction on the computer screen and I did not feel it ! I was exhausted but relieved. Now, I could rest until I was fully dilated before the pushing stage. I sent Peter and Rayann to get something to eat. They were such troopers. Peter wouldn't leave until I insisted. I actually took short naps for the next few hours. Once I had the Epidural, I was not allowed to eat. But I could have liquids. Ice water was fine for awhile but I also had 4 fruit popsicles ! Those were the best. Never tasted anything so better.
At 10:30, I was fully dilated and started the pushing stage. I have never worked so hard in my life. Peter and Rayann lifted up my leg to help out. Or I would be on my hand and knees. I tried everything. The doctor on at his time had long blond curly hair and reminded me of Nicole Kidman. Strange since I had just watched her in a movie the night before. I told her she looked like NK and she just laughed. Anways...
On with the pushing. I was getting frustrated. As I was getting ready for one push, I remember saying "PETER, GET OVER HERE !". I had warned him I may take my frustration out on him. I continued to push for two hours. The baby was low enough but it was stuck. At one point I yelled "I CAN'T DO IT". At that point, the doctor sat me down. She explained that I was getting frustrated and I had pushed for 2 hours. She suggested I get an Episiotomy and they would use forcepts to get the baby out. I agreed with her. She said "Your baby is going to be born in the next 10 mins." Wow. I couldn't believe those words. Finally, we were going to see our little miracle. Our gift from God.
The activity in the room increased signicantly over the next few minutes. I wish I could remember the amount of people in the room. This is what I love about BC Womens Hospital. Next thing I know, our baby is born. I remember feeling like it was an out of body experience. I had no control of anything, it was like I was watching from the sidelines. I remember seeing them lift our baby and take him/her to the observation tray where they check the mouth and throat and make sure everything is ok. I remember just watching and praying that everything was ok. This baby was been through a lot ! It was 12:50am Monday, August 30th.
Then Peter said "We got a baby boy !" I just remember asking "Is he alright?" The nurse said he was fine and brought him over to me so I could feed him. I asked her " Could you please help me?" I had no idea what I was doing. That's when I really saw our little baby. He was the cutest thing I had ever seen. I just cried and held him. I couldn't believe Peter and I had been a part of creating something so beautiful. God is so great.
Our baby just nursed for a little bit but I think he was too exhausted. He probably just wanted to rest.
The nurses took him back for a little bit and Peter went to get both sets of grandparents who had patiently waited this long. They were overjoyed ! Although Adam, Lovleen bhabhi-ji, Maneesha and Priya and come visited me once I had the Epidural, they of course had left because it was getting very late. You would have assumed I would have delivered the baby by the evening. But this baby had his own plan and came when he was ready. The grandparents stayed for a little bit and held the baby and then left. It was very late for them too.
Peter and I were left in the room and the baby was back in the observation tray. We had to wait for a room to be ready for us. The baby made a little noice. It was funny. Peter and I looked at each other. We were so scared. But I knew the baby just need rest as we did.
After a few hours, we were taken up to our room. We couldn't really sleep even though we tried.
The baby was very quiet and just wanted to rest too. I tried to nurse him but it was very short feedings. He was just wanted to rest. I now know that babies don't need much the few 2 days. But like any worried mother, I was thinking that by not feeding for very long, he may go hungry. August 30, 2004...One of the happiest days of my life.
