The looooooong story of Evan's birth

Hi ladies,

Mmmmm, I was in hospital so long that my brain is a bit fried, so the details are a little fuzzy, hehehe! Will try and remember as much as possible.

At about 02:30 on Monday 30 May (34W6D), I got up to go to the loo and as I got out of bed, had some serious water-works! A pregnant friend of mine woke up in a wet bed and her gynea told her that baba pressed on her bladder, so I wasn't 100% if it was my water or maybe also a bladder thing. I phoned my doc's emergency number, and the lady suggested that I rather go to the hospital to have it checked out. So, off I went to Unitas hospital, only to be told that as my doctor is at Wilgers, I need to go there, as they'll probably want to admit me... By this stage I'm a little hysterical, as 1) I have no clue if I am in labour and if I am, if my baby will be okay, 2) I do not want to drive all the way to Wilgers on my own and 3) I have no idea who is going to look after my daughter (my parents were still in Cape Town and my best friend had a sick baby). Luckily I thought of one of my friends from work and she was kind enough to come over immediately to stay with S.

Seeing as I still had a month before my due date, I had not yet packed my hospital bag, so when I got home, I just grabbed PJ’s and a toothbrush (the rest of my belongings came to hospital in drips and drabs). As we walked into the hospital at about 04:00, my doc was on his way out after just delivering a baby. He had them give me a shot to try and stop labour and a steroid injection (and another 8 hours later), and had me put on antibiotics to prevent infection. Luckily I was only about 1cm dilated. That Monday morning I still had relatively strong, regular contractions, but by the afternoon it had stopped...and so began a loooooooong time in hospital.

During the next 9 days, they did bloodtests every 2 days to make sure I don’t pick up an infection, baba was monitored closely for any signs of distress, doc did a scan to see how baby was doing...and we waited! I still say the naughty little bugger pulled the plug on the Jacuzzi, realised how cold it was outside and then refused to come out! I have never been a fan of hospitals, and if I never have to see the inside of one again, it will be too soon! (However, if I ever HAVE to land in hospital again, I’ll make sure it’s in Wilgers.)

Then finally on Thursday 9 June (36W2D) just after 12, I woke up with strong contractions. The sister said I was about 2cm dilated and as we thought it would still be a while, she gave me a pethadine injection (which did absolutely buggerall except make me a little high, hahaha). I couldn’t fall asleep again and the contractions just got stronger, and when they checked again at about 3:00, I was already 7cm dilated. I phoned my husband and told him to get his backside to the hospital (luckily by then my mom was already staying with him and S...poor guy, hahaha, so no worries about getting someone to stay with S). The plan was actually to get into a bath in one of the private rooms, but the sister reckoned there wouldn’t be time to get me back to the labour room. Instead, I got into the shower on a birthing ball, which wasn’t as effective as the bath, but helped quite a bit. When I started feeling the need to push, I got onto the bed...and almost bliksemed the sister when she wanted me to ‘practice pushing’ while she’s doing an internal. I think not!!! Luckily my doc arrived, I ‘assumed the position’ (hahaha!), gave one push...and there my gorgeous boy was! Hubby and I were looking at each other with this ‘was that it?!’ look on our faces, we couldn’t believe it was so quick. He was born at 04:50, weighed 3,05kg and was 49cm long. I’m still getting used to how incredibly small he is (compared to his sister who weighed 4,3kg at birth!). Mommy, daddy and sis are madly in love!

Ahhhhhh man, brings back so many memories and emotions, I can't describe the huge relief I feel for you and the immense "congrats" I feel like shouting again.

Well done Karien and Evan, what a story to tell!

Aaaaah!!! Weereens baie geluk!!

Wow looong, but then quick, go figure! Can't wait to meet the little man. Thanks for sharing!

Ahhhh man that was lovely! Thanks for sharing

Aw i have goose bumps - and goose bumps in the cold is not nice! I'm so proud of you my friend. And i'm delighted he finally came out! Yippee! Well done.

congrats!!

Oh wow, what an incredible story!! Congrats!

Ahhhh whats a nice birthstory.