The afternoon came and still there were no contractions and I still did not feel that I was in labour. I thought “wow this labour thing is not bad after all”. At around 4 in the afternoon the midwives came to check on me and saw I was still only 3 cm dilated. They asked for the head midwife to check me and she said there was water still that was restricting the cervix from dilating. She told me that she will break my waters; I thought ok not knowing what it would feel like or what would happen next. All I knew is that it would help shorten the length that I was stuck in that room.
So she broke my waters which I remember was slightly painful. But from the moment that was done I started having contractions. I could see it on the monitor as it came and went. They started gently but did not stay gentle for long.
I can’t remember how they felt like. All I remember is that I spent the whole evening and night in pain. I try to remember how does a contraction feel like but I can’t. They were extremely intense and very frequent. I had no time to breathe or have a short break. I was told it was from the hormones they were giving me. I think from 7 pm onward I was unaware of what was happening around me.
I had a tense machine which became useless after a while but it kept me busy for the first part of the labour process. I was also given Gas and Air which I can’t remember if it helped the pain but I remember I was drowsy. Then I was given the pethidine injection, I don’t think that did anything at all. At midnight I was asked if I wanted the epidural and I said yes. I can’t remember anything else other than the word epidural. Therefore the anaesthesiologist came to give me the epidural, but as the usual formalities he must explain to me and take my consent. I don’t really remember what he was saying but I was told that I shouted at my husband and told him to shut up.
While I was bending over so that he can insert the needle I remember that all what was going on in my head was “I must keep still or I might get paralysed, but what if I get a contraction during this”. Thank god he was extremely fast. And it was the best decision I made. From then on I felt absolutely nothing. I could feel my tummy tighten but there was no pain at all. I remember the cold feeling that I felt go down my back each time they topped it up.
I still was told to keep taking the gas and air, it was absolutely wonderful feeling. I can’t remember what was happening around me, but my husband and mother told me I was making silly jokes and laughing for no reason. They said I looked drunk and they were all laughing at me. I can’t remember any of this. All I remember is that I was calm and I had no pain.
By then I was told I was fully dilated and they wanted to deliver the baby, they called the doctor to deliver me. I always thought it would be a midwife who delivers but possibly due to my condition they called a doctor. I remember I could feel my tummy tighten slightly when I have a contraction and I could see it on the monitor. Therefore the doctor was telling me when to push and when to stop. I remember that because I was calm and relaxed I pushed extremely hard. I was worried about the baby as I was told that his heart beat was dropping. I was putting so much effort into pushing. Then she told me she would use the forceps to take him out. I knew what that was and I didn’t care again, I didn’t seem to care about anything as long as the baby comes out well. So after using forceps and giving me an episiotomy the baby finally came out at 1:36 am.
One thing that is indescribable is the feeling you get when the baby comes out. All of a sudden there is this heavy weight lifted of your chest. I remember she placed him on my tummy and I was surprised, he was heavy but the cutest thing in the world. I think I cried at that moment. This living being was growing inside me. They took him to get him checked and cleaned. Then I was cleaned and stitched myself.
My husband went to check on the baby to see what was happening and he was amazed how all the midwives were playing with him. He told me it was like they have never seen a baby before. They were all happy and amazed because he was big. It was like having a fully grown baby. Robin was born 10lb 11 and 58cm tall.
The baby was then brought back to me to feed which is another story.
From my experience with Robin I tell you something, there is absolutely nothing as amazing as delivering a child. The moment you see the baby you forget all pains, you forget all 9 months that you were pregnant. All you think about is this pure child that you brought into life.
Take [...]