* * * * *
On August 4 – 2 days before the D-day, AI got impatient and would like to get it over with. The weight was getting heavier and heavier and the baby was moving downward more and more. She also started to get small contractions that made her very uncomfortable.
When August 6 came and no sign of steady contractions, it seemed that the little guy was not ready to come out yet, but those infrequent small contractions continued. We all sat patiently at home waiting and waiting . . . To pass the time we played a game of guessing the birth date of the baby – I said jokingly that it would definitely be on Ba-Ba-Day (Chinese Father’s Day) - August 8; and SC hoped that he comes on August 9, his own Dad’s birthday.
On the 7th afternoon, AI felt she had enough regular contractions to go to hospital, but she and SC came back an hour later because doctor felt it was too early yet and she should wait until more frequent longer lasting contractions. So she waited at home and kept tracking the time and length of each contraction.
Around 6:30 the next morning, AI knocked on our bedroom door and said:
“Mom and Dad, I think it is time – I was turning and turning whole night and had hardly any sleep and felt more frequent regular contractions. SC and I felt we should go to hospital now. We will call you to let you know what doctor says.”
While we were having our breakfast, AI and SC walked into the house – false alarm. Although it was dilated, but only 2 cm and they should wait until it is 5 cm.
AI was very uncomfortable the whole morning and couldn’t sit still on the sofa. Near noon she felt more regular pain and contractions came closer and faster. She asked SC to take her to the hospital. Off they went without having their lunch. 75 minutes later, they appeared at the doorway – nothing changed, and still too early.
After the supper AI was getting more restless and we could see the pain on her face, they waited and waited until about 9 o’clock and decided they really have to go to the hospital.
JN and I waited until 11 and they didn’t come back and we felt this must be it!
5:30 am a telephone ring woke us up, SC told us that AI was in labour the whole night and the baby is still not yet here. An hour later, he called again and said:
The doctor felt the baby is dropping too low and AI should have a C-section to get the baby out.
We got up and dressed, then rushed to the hospital. We saw a nurse at ‘Delivery and Labour’ Ward and she directed us to the recovery room.
There they are – a happy pale-looking Mom and a very beautiful reddish Baby in her arm.
“Congratulations, AI. How are you feeling?”
“I am fine. Come to see your grandson.” AI replied smilingly.
“Can we hold the baby?” JN asked.
“Sure.”
“How much does the baby weigh?” We asked the nurse.
“You guess.”
“7 lb. 2 oz.” I replied. “6 lb. 9 oz.” JN said.
“No, he weighs 8 lb. 2 oz., 21” long with an Apgar score of 9 (out of 10), which is excellent (most babies got 6 or 7.) A very beautiful and healthy baby boy! Congratulations.”
Wow, no wonder AI endured more than 40 hours of labour and ended up with a C-section. Poor AI, she suffered both types of pain – a lengthy labour and an operation. As her parents, we could feel her pain, but she looked great and showed no sign of stress and suffer. She said:
“It is all worth it! Who do you think the baby looks alike? Me or SC?”
“Oh, I think he is more like you. He has your eyes, mouth and nose, and beautiful hair. Nice and soft skin as well.” JN replied.
1 comment:
Anybody has an easier labor story that's more encouraging? My co-worker
was in labor for more than 2 days and and a C-section, too!
Post a Comment