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Inspired by @Shamz04’s birth story, I thought I’d write my own one as a recollection for myself mostly (a thread):
On Friday morning at 38w4d I had my bloody show. Nope it’s not that bad as it sounds and this was great as we knew labour was coming soon. But it could be within a few hours or a few days, so not really worried.
We then decided to get our hospital snacks that day, just in case baby comes over the weekend.
That night I fell asleep at 10.30pm, had a few contractions that felt a bit stronger than Braxton Hicks so I timed it on my app but I fell asleep in between so the data was useless.
That night I fell asleep at 10.30pm, had a few contractions that felt a bit stronger than Braxton Hicks so I timed it on my app but I fell asleep in between so the data was useless.
I then woke up at 1am when I felt a consistent gush of water flowing.
“Naasir wake up. My water just broke.”
We instinctively went into getting ready mode- I had a note on my phone with last minute things to pack when this happens.
“Naasir wake up. My water just broke.”
We instinctively went into getting ready mode- I had a note on my phone with last minute things to pack when this happens.
Within a couple of mins we are ready. We make a short dua’ before we leave the house and look at each other amazed when we realize next time we’ll come home with a baby!
Walking to the car seemed so surreal, it was so quiet, was misty and we had our masks on. It seemed like we were in an apocalypse movie.
We get to the hospital at 2am- nurse straps me onto the CTG machine and the sound of baby’s heart beat is soothing and reassuring.
“Are you getting contractions?”
“Slight ones yes.”
“Are you getting contractions?”
“Slight ones yes.”
She continues to monitor me for 30min intervals and then I get to walk around in between. She says my OB/GYN will be here in the morning around 8am.
By 5am, my contractions are slightly stronger but not really sore. Naasir takes a nap until fajr. I recite Surah Maryam.
By 5am, my contractions are slightly stronger but not really sore. Naasir takes a nap until fajr. I recite Surah Maryam.
8am comes- no gynae. It’s clear that we’re probably gana have to wait a while for her. I think she gets there around 9am.
“How’s your contractions? You look well.”
“They’re there and consistent but not really painful.”
“Okay let’s monitor you and we’ll see.”
“How’s your contractions? You look well.”
“They’re there and consistent but not really painful.”
“Okay let’s monitor you and we’ll see.”
Both baby and my heart beats look good. My contractions are 7 mins apart. “I need to do an internal exam now to see how far dilated you are.” I tense up, I’ve heard these can be painful but I trust my OB/GYN fully.
She starts. I shriek. She’s never heard me shriek before. “What’s wrong?” What do you mean what’s wrong???? I’m in pain. I just nod my head and she continues and I scream again.
When she’s done, she says okay Yumnah you’re still in very very early labour. Why was the exam so sore?
I don’t know? It just was. At that point I am only 1cm dilated.
I don’t know? It just was. At that point I am only 1cm dilated.
I feel disheartened. Even though the contractions weren’t bad at all I thought I would be further along. It’s been 10 hours since my water broke. I also feel traumatized by the internal exam. Gynae says okay we’re gana stay clear from exams for now and just do fetal monitoring.
She suggests an epidural so that I won’t feel the exams.
A few hours pass. My contractions get stronger and more frequent. I am using the breathing techniques and visualization exercises I learnt and they are working really well. The contractions are intense though, ngl.
A few hours pass. My contractions get stronger and more frequent. I am using the breathing techniques and visualization exercises I learnt and they are working really well. The contractions are intense though, ngl.
Gynae comes back around 3pm. Everything looks good with fetal monitoring. She says okay I need to do an internal exam to know how far you are. Do you want the epidural first? Yes, I say with no hesitation. “Okay cool I’m gana call the anesthetist to come and then we’ll get going”
Anesthetist gets there, nice guy, explains everything well. Epidural goes in, I just feel a sting not much else. Pretty easy I think. Straight after I start shivering. A lot. He says this is normal and he’ll give me something for it later. Okay time to monitor baby and me.
My heart rate looks good. I’m getting contractions but not feeling it as intensely- the epidural still needs time to work properly. Then the nurse says, “but the baby doesn’t like it Doctor.” What? The baby’s heart beat has dropped massively. And stays down.
They are all confused. I’m confused. They continue monitoring. Still low. Bring in a different ultrasound machine- still low.
Gynae says “Okay Yumnah I’m gana have to put the catheter in and do an internal exam even though the epidural is not fully working yet. I can’t wait any longer. I need to see how far this baby is.”
I tense up but I know it needs to be done. I don’t protest.
I tense up but I know it needs to be done. I don’t protest.
She says wow you’re already 5cm dilated. But this baby is at risk. I can’t take a chance. She calls in the other gynae and the anesthetist. “Can they prepare the theatre please”.
“Okay Yumnah and Naasir. We’re going to have to do an emergency c-section. I can’t let his heart rate drop any further. I don’t know what happened, I don’t think it’s the epidural, doesn’t make sense but either way I need to get this baby out now.”
Okay. A C-section. This wasn’t our plan. I look at Naasir without saying anything but in my mind asking what he thinks. He nods. I nod too. We just want our baby to be okay and healthy. “Will I still be able to have skin to skin straight afterwards?” I ask the OB/GYN.
“Of course”
“Of course”
Naasir changes into scrubs. “Yumnah you can do this. Don’t cry. We’re in good hands. There’s a whole team here.” I didn’t even realize I had started crying.
Then the anesthetist says, “So the epidural is not as dense as the spinal block so you might feel a bit more tugging but don’t worry everything will be okay.” Uh, okay?
I get wheeled into theatre. Everyone is doing their job quickly and precisely. The anesthetist to Naasir, “Did you bring your phone to take a video?” “No I forgot.” “Don’t worry you can use mine and I’ll forward it to you.” “Thank you! I had one job 
”
”
I continue to cry. I can’t believe he is going to be here in a few minutes. Naasir looks dead straight at me and his hands are fidgety. Now I know they’ve started.
“I can feel pressure. Lots of pressure.”
“Yes but you’re not feeling pain.”
But it’s still sore. Very sore.
Naasir, “Don’t worry Yumnah it will be okay and we’ll have our baby boy soon!”
“Yes but you’re not feeling pain.”
But it’s still sore. Very sore.
Naasir, “Don’t worry Yumnah it will be okay and we’ll have our baby boy soon!”
I’m still shivering throughout the process. A few minutes later I hear a loud scream. It continues. And I see a tiny, precious baby in front of me. I can’t really see properly as my eyes are welled with tears.
Then the paediatrician takes him and does his things. I feel lots of pressure now as they stitch me up. Sore pressure. Really sore.
“Mommy do you want to hold him?”
“Yes please.” I can’t see his face. My abdomen feels like someone is punching it then driving over it on repeat.
“I can’t do this Naasir.”
“Do you want us to take him?” “Yes please.”
“Yes please.” I can’t see his face. My abdomen feels like someone is punching it then driving over it on repeat.
“I can’t do this Naasir.”
“Do you want us to take him?” “Yes please.”
And then it was all over, after the punching and driving alternated for a while until it reached a halt.
“Here’s your baby mommy.” 2.86kg at 16h38.
“Here’s your baby mommy.” 2.86kg at 16h38.
He is perfect. I can’t believe he is here. My heart bursts with a love I’ve never felt before 
