Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Day Noah was Born


It's been a while since my last post.. how bad a blogger am I? Tsk tsk tsk ... but the good thing is no one follows my blog (except my brother David and my Dad) so it's not like someone out there is missing out hahaha.

Well, good news is I had baby Noah on the 7th of December which explains the long absence. I thought what a good way to resurrect my blog but to write about The Day Noah was born.

I had the baby through Ceasarean section which I highly recommend and would probably do again if I ever get blessed with another baby. After 5 days of being overdue, I had my last doctor's appointment around 9am when he was going to examine me internally to see what's going on "down there." There were no signs of impending labour (cervix closed and head not engaged) plus my blood pressure was high. So, Doctor Smith recommended the Ceasarean as the first alternative which was an induction would likely lead to a C-section anyway. If I go through the labour AND the Ceasarean my body wouldn't heal as quickly as if I just had the latter. So, we went with the expert's advice and lo and behold he booked the operation for that afternoon. Never in my (and my husband's) many birth scenarios did this one come up.

The few hours leading up to the operation were all too surreal. I felt like I was in a trance. I went through the motions of getting my things organized - suitcase for the hospital, baby's bag - tidied up a bit so I wouldn't come home to a mess but what was really going through my mind was a silent prayer for baby's health and well being and of course a successful operation as after all, it is a major surgery what I'm about to go through. When we got to the hospital (North Shore Private) the midwives helped me get settled in my room, I changed to the hospital gown and waited for the orderly to get me. At around 2.00 in the afternoon, it was time and so I got wheeled to the operating theatre with husband Glenn by my side. When they were giving me the anesthetics, Glenn was given his "space" outfit to wear during the procedure. He complained that he was going to pass out from wearing it as it was so hot but I think he was really passing out because he saw the canular being put in and the big needle for my spine! Poor thing, he had to sit on the floor whilst they prepped me in the operating theatre. Eventually, he was asked to come in and then he sat next to me near my head, holding my hand. I can feel lots going on in my belly area - pushing and tugging - but there was no pain.

Eventually, I heard cries and looked at Glenn as I couldn't believe he is out! The doctor quickly showed me my grey baby, screaming his lungs out then he was taken to the midwives to be checked, weighed, wrapped etc. Glenn quickly left my side to see our baby and take photos (this is first ever photo of Noah). I asked for the time my baby was born and he came to the world at 3:07 pm. Eventually, hubby put the baby on my chest, almost right below my chin, as operation wasn't over, whilst I gaze at my screaming baby. I think it was all too new and strange that I didn't really feel that immediate attachment to the strange screaming creature.

My husband took my baby to my room whilst I recovered from the operation. After an hour or so I was taken back to my room to meet up with my new family - hubby and baby Noah. Noah was silent by then and I just marveled at his beauty and the miracle of it all - somehow by God's grace we now have this beautiful son.

The midwives were fantastic. Throughout that first day, they just kept checking up on me, topping up my pain medication and doing all sorts of things to make sure I'm OK as my blood pressure had become very high again. Glenn stayed with me until almost midnight and helped me with breastfeeding and just being my assistant as I was glued to my bed. Baby Noah stayed in the hospital nursery overnight and brought to me for feeding once or maybe twice that night.

So after 40 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, I am now a proud mum to Noah.

Vange


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