How It All Went Down
Being pregnant means that you often worry about a lot of things, and it doesn't really matter if they are logical or not... you just worry about them regardless. I was worried about having a VBAC ... that I'd get to the hospital too late and I'd deliver the baby in some poor guy's taxi ... or that I'd go all the way to the hospital only to find out that I wasn't actually in labor ... or that of our long list of potential taxi drivers/friends/acquaintances every single one of them would be unavailable to take us to the hospital ...or that we'd get stuck in mega traffic (read- probably the only legit of my concerns) ... or...or... or...
Friday, December 4th we had an appointment with our OB, Dr. Maria as well as an ultrasound. The purpose of the ultrasound was to check to ensure feasibility of a V-BAC as well as check the location of the umbilical cord. It was so fun to again see our little guy moving (as much as he could), and hear about how he was doing. The technician estimated he was around 3.5 kilos. (around 7 lbs. 11 oz). Next was our appointment. After checking me over, Dr. Maria estimated he would probably arrive sometime that weekend, hallelujah, especially since I knew that if the baby got too big (like over 8 pounds, or something like that), another C-section would be necessary (blech!). She prepared us for how this delivery might be different from our previous ones and answered any remaining questions we had.
Later that evening, Papa C and I settled down for a little date night action (watching Downton Abbey- so good- and enjoying some milk and cookies). I was having some mild contractions (about 10 minutes apart), but nothing significant. At about 4AM, I woke up to some more frequent and occasionally stronger contractions. At 5AM Papa C was up, getting the bathtub ready for me so I could labor in there for a while. Contractions still weren't consistently strong, and were ranging from 3-8 minutes apart, making it a bit difficult to decide when to head to the hospital... Since they weren't consistent or really strong I thought it was likely that it was still just early labor or even false labor, and didn't want to call the taxi. Seth wasn't so sure of my assessment and thought we should, especially since this delivery required more monitoring than a normal delivery. I was persuaded and he arranged for our taxi to come at 7. The kids woke up around the time they ususally do, each having their own reactions to the preceding events, depending on their level of development. Eden was eager to help get everyone ready and routinely went over to pray for me and the baby. Isaaq was bouncing off the walls with excitement that his baby brother was coming and was completely oblivious to anything that I was going through. Atira was just desperate to go to wherever Eden and Isaaq were going- didn't want to get left behind with her parents. Seth took the kids over to our friends' house next door while I waddled over to our taxi.
It was a perfect time to go into labor. Saturday morning traffic in Nairobi is about as light as it gets. It took us 15 minutes to get to the hospital, when usually it took us anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. My contractions still hadn't changed. I was having pretty big breaks between contractions and the strength hadn't increased at all. We walked around the courtyard of the hospital for a while before heading up to the labor and delivery wing. While we walked we talked of how we were amazed at God's total provision for us to be there at that time, from providing loving friends to take care of our kids, to the lack of traffic, well-equipped facilities to deliver at, being able to get good sleep the night before, getting to eat cookies the night before, and many other things.
Once on the L&D floor I walked the halls while Seth finished up with some admission paperwork and called our doctor. During this time a family arrived on the floor. They were headed to a vacation on the beach when she went into labor on the way. I could tell just from her groans that that baby was coming very soon, they didn't even have enough time to get her into a delivery room. After about 15 minutes a sweet little cry came from their triage corner (just a small room separated by curtains). It was so encouraging to hear, and be reminded that my body was working so that we could hear the cry of our little one too.
At around 8:30AM they had me put on a toasty warm delivery (bath) robe. Delight! Next the midwife checked me and said I was 7cm dialated! I was SO glad to hear this since I was still thinking I was in very early labor because the contraction still hadn't changed much from earlier that morning. Next she put us on a monitor, and our OB came in and checked on us. Baby was doing well, and we were moved into a delivery room. I kept my walking up, contractions were starting to get a bit stronger (though still not very close together). and I was put on the monitor again. It's funny, the weeks beforehand my little sister and I planned through all that I should have in my 'delivery bag' to aid with the labor process (magazines, candy to suck on, slippers, etc) and the only thing I wanted to do was walk! Then... they tried to put an IV needle in me, necessary since this was a V-BAC and I needed to be ready in case an emergency C-section was needed. Have I told you before that I might have among the world's smallest veins? I realized I'd forgotten to tell the nurse because she was failing miserably. I was writhing in pain not from the contractions but from the pain of her trying to put my IV in. After about
For these type of contractions I like to reach out and grab whatever of Seth is within grasp, pull him close and squeeze. One time I got his neck, mostly I landed his hand/arm. I was very proud of myself for having recently trimmed my nails and I can proudly say no Seth was injured in the birthing process. My doctor checked me again. At 8 cm she broke my water. Not too much later she said I could start pushing. HOOORRRRAAAAYYYY! I was also happy to see our OB putting on her delivery scrubs- that meant the baby was coming soon. After about 20 minutes of pushing, enjoying the sweet worship music playing in the background, and wishing someone else could push, our little boy was born, crying and peeing at around 10:45AM. He was beautiful and healthy weighing 7lbs. 14 oz. and 20 inches long, with just a bit of hair. We held him close and took in his sweet baby smell. He demonstrated his fine breastfeeding skills soon after birth by opening wide and lunging for the spigot. Latching on right away and he fed for a good 45 minutes before stopping to take in his new world. Then they brought Seth and I hot chocolate and coffee cake. Hot chocolate and coffee cake after giving birth = perfect.
Some time after we were transferred to our recovery room. Since all the standard rooms were full we were put in an executive room, which meant we had our own private waiting room, and a huge bath tub. Which meant that I = boss. It was nice. I loved the huge menu and choosing my meals. That night for supper I ordered pizza, avocado salad, and ice cream with apple pie. Then they brought around more hot chocolate (I so appreciate this part of the British's influence on Kenya- tea time twice a day) and coffee cake. After a fair amount of deliberation we decided on the name Avram Yuusuf for our little boy. I had had a bunch of names rolling around in my head the whole day, and though I hadn't mentioned it to Seth during, Avram Yuusuf kept coming to my heart. Such a sweet precious time together. In the beauty of that moment we thought of our dear friends who too, welcomed a beautiful (very hairy) little boy into the world, the week before. After a few sacred hours with their son, he was welcomed into the arms of heaven. Our hearts ached with theirs. Sometimes, it's hard to swallow the spoonfuls of this life.Around 5PM Seth headed back home to be with the kids and Avram and I settled in for the night. We both slept pretty well that night, exhausted by the beauty of the day. I was so glad I didn't require a C-section and I was deeply grateful for a very supportive OB who was very present but still very hand's off and let my body do what it was made to do. I fell asleep thanking God for all the ways he blessed, provided for, and watched over us. We are indeed deeply loved and watched on every side by God above. So grateful for the love and prayers of so many near and far away. Love and hugs
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