6.30am. From the beginning my guess was on labour starting in the morning, when I got out of bed. But when I woke up on my last day of work and told Dean that my stomach hurt it didn't even enter my mind that by night our little Bundle of Bobbie would have arrived.
I came back in from the bathroom and told Dean he probably wouldn't be working that day. I texted my family, and told them not to call, as talking to anyone would probably make me anxious, but that Bobbie would probably be joining us soon. I let work know, sent Daddy Deano off to get supplies, then sat down to enjoy some television.
Looking back, I'm surprised at how calm I was. I hadn't even thought to call the hospital when mum asked if I'd let the midwives know. I rang Jen, my doula, to check!!
11.00am. The midwives said to make our way in to get checked out. So slowly we finished packing our hospital bags, had my last relaxing shower, dropped the puppy off and headed to the hospital.
4 minutes apart. As we arrived, we heard the midwife on the phone to Dr Azoury and straight away knew there was no chance we'd be birthing at Queanbeyan Hospital. I think it was in this moment that I decided not to fight it - but rather accept it. As my sister had told me, I could have a beautiful birth anywhere.
3:00pm. The ambulance ride to Canberra Hospital sped up my contractions and the midwife was amazed they reached 2 minutes apart by the time we got there. Deano followed in the car - and we were met at the hospital by Jen, our wonderful doula.
The next two hours were filled with doctor briefings, midwives coming in and out, Jen keeping a calming atmosphere (and getting us some much needed fuel, in the form of hot chips!) and the contractions becoming more and more instense.
Looking back, I am amazed at the sense of calm. I remember nothing but happiness and anticipation. I felt empowered and confident that my body, with the help of Deano and Jen would be able to handle anything. When the anaethetist came in to talk about pain relief options I had no hesitation in telling him he was wasting his time.
Thanks to Jen we had the most lovely student midwife assigned to take care of us. She was on our side from the beginning and was extremely tuned in to what we wanted.
5:00pm. Active labour. When the contractions become more intense it was time to move to the bath. What a relief! Deano sat on the edge on the bath and was brilliant in helping me through the contractions. The mood was still light - Jen and I even managed to get through a Garth Brooks song.
Jen ducked off to get some dinner and called in Rachel, our Calmbirth class teacher to take her place. It was around this time that things really got going and it took a lot of concentration, relaxation and love from Deano to get me through. With each contraction Dean and Rachel would help by running the hot water on my back or tummy. With every wave I'd motion everyone to be completely silent.
8:30pm. It was time. My body knew it was time to push, and the midwives knew it was time to get me back to the delivery suite. It was during this time, that they call "Transition", that I did lose my sense of control for just a moment, telling Dean that I was going home. I had no idea how I was going to move from the bathroom back to the delivery suite whilst dealing with ever intensifying contractions and the urge to push.
Back in the suite, on my knees on the bed. At the peak of each contraction I pushed. I pleaded with Dean and Rachel to tell me how many more pushes before my baby would be out - to which they would reply something about being one closer each time. Jen arrived back shortly after and the three of them helped give me strength to push. It took a lot force and effort to push but I knew with each push I was closer to seeing my baby. The back labour, as the baby was turned the wrong way, was so extreme. The doctor continued to come in and mutter something about getting the forceps for the stress on my heart could be too great. This just made me more determined to push.
9.50pm. Hearing that the head was out gave me the greatest sense of achievement and once again gave me the power to get my baby's body out with just one more push. Such a wave of relief and also disbelief as I turned over to have my bub placed on my stomach. The next hour is a bit of blur as I floated on cloud 9. Dean cut the cord, and I looked to discover we'd delivered a baby girl. She attached straight away and Dean and I thought she was just perfect!!! Dean was very quick to decide she looked like an Eve - and it was settled. Iwas so excited and made sure Deano rang my family to tell the good news.
After nearly 2 hours of feeding and just 9 minutes to deliver the placenta, the midwife quickly took Eve beside the bed to check her out, and then gave Daddy his first cuddle while I had a much needed shower.
I wouldn't change one thing about Eve's entrance into the world and our lives. It was powerful, calm, but hard work. It was wonderful. Deano was fabulous and I was so proud of the both of us. It was impossible to sleep that night, as I could've watched Eve sleep all night.
Although it has taken a while for reality to set in, it only took a split second to fall in love with Eve, and the same time to fall in love with Dean on a whole different level.
The tough part has now begun, and it's simply wonderful.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Twas the night before....
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