Here is the birth story of K2, born on 18 September 2008 at Mount Alvernia Hospital at 10.50am, weighing 3.425kgm, measuring 49cm in length and a head circumference of 33.5cm. ~ Written by my doula, Ginny.

15 September 200810.45am Mommy (Christine) smses:

Hi Ginny (my doula). Today is so called 2nd due date. Baby's enjoying my company :-) so there's no showing signs of her emerging. I've just had my appointment with gynae Paul. Baby's down. Good heartbeat at 128.

10.55am Mommy smses:

Am good. Finally took leave from work. Packed hospital bag. More time to listen to my tapes and read... I'm trying to practice that illusive birth breathing. Can't imagine. Only worried that baby's spine still right side... Sad when i wake up sleeping on my right.

18 September 2008

I was on the way for my weekly early morning swim when your Mommy smsed me to inform me that she is in labor.

6.02am Mommy smses:

Hi. Could be soon... Surges woke me up at 3am. They come around 5 times in last hour. Lasting 10-20seconds. Don't come yet. Let me monitor:-)

6.07am Mommy smses:

When do you typically come. The sensations are intense. Just got another one. Less than 10min apart. Last only 10sec. Ok. I'll take a shower and let you know by 630am.

I called your Mommy and told her that I am about to go for a swim and that if she is still ok, I will continue with my plans to swim and come out of the pool around 7-7.15am to call her and check how she is doing. She agreed and said that she was going to head for the shower. Whilst swimming halfway, with the clock at the pool being spoilt and not giving the accurate timing, I had a feeling that I had to get out of the pool and call your Mom, and when I did, she asked me to come right away. The traffic was heavy and halfway home, your Daddy called and asked to meet at the hospital instead. I said that was a great idea because of the peak hour traffic. My aunt dropped me off at the hospital and wished me good luck for a fast labor, and I said confidently “Oh this one will be a fast one, I feel it in my gut!”

8.20am I am waiting at hospital lobby, called your mommy and she said she is on the way.

8.45am I am still waiting, must be the slow traffic. I called Daddy to say that I am waiting downstairs, so he can drop Mommy off first then go and park the car.

8.50am Your parents arrived and Mommy headed straight for the lobby to ask for a wheelchair whilst I took her stuff. I pushed the wheelchair up and your Mommy stands and walks around during surges, which were coming really close together, with an estimated 3 minute intervals. She rubs her back and hips as she swayed, so I took out my heat pack to give her some warm compress and later, back massages. Nurse suggested that she does an internal examination now as Mommy looks like she is quite advance in labor. Your Mommy readily agreed and she was already 7-8cm dilated, hooray! The nurse went on to ask when did labor start and Mommy started sharing how Daddy was not ready to leave the house as he still had emails to sent out and she had to insist that they go NOW! Daddy comes in, relaxed and getting the admissions done.Mommy sits up on the bed labouring, reluctant to move to any other position because she was feeling tired. After a while, she got up to pee. Surges at the point was still consistent and I suggested that she goes on all fours to labor and asked her to visualise her waters releasing to hasten the labor. She coughs really hard in-between some surges. After admissions was settled, Daddy supported Mommy and decided to rest for a while and fell asleep on the chair.

10.04am Mommy went into another coughing fit and both Daddy and I thought she vomited, only to realise that her waters broke and her waters were clear, all good signs. I belled for the nurse and another internal check was done and Mommy was fully dilated and your head was positioned quite low. At this point, the frequency of the surges has been tapering off, which worried me a little. So I was hoping that the spontaneous rupture of membranes would bring the surges on but it did not. Dr. Paul has been notified and said that he is making his way down to the hospital. I encouraged your Mommy to take on another position but other than labouring on all fours, she was quite reluctant. Finally she agreed on moving to a squatting position. She varied between sitting on the birth stool and squatting, supported by Daddy and as I encouraged her to bear down harder and sustain her out breath, your head was soon visible.

It became clear that you are going to be born soon and just as I was wondering when Dr. Paul would be arriving, he stepped in, quickly grabbed the apron and gloves and with some guidance to pant instead of push, you emerged out into the world at 10.50am into the arms of your Mommy who was squatting and Daddy was pleasantly surprised that he could see you emerging out.I sure hope this wonderful birth experience healed the scars the previous birth left behind.

Welcome sweet little one!

God bless you Little Angel

With Love, Ginny

Labels: birthday, birthing, Eva-Jade