I'm first!

Well, let's just say we got the surprise of our lives on Monday, April 13th (Family Day?). It was a public holiday, and we decided to spend the afternoon with my parents. I had washed all Nicci's clothes, and repacked my suitcase twice (don't know why, as I wasn't even 36 weeks yet, but there you go!!).

I felt so incredibly uncomfortable, but being over 8 months pregnant and carrying an extra 14 kg, didn't think anything of it. When we got home, I had awful heartburn, had some Gavicon and went to bed at about 22:00. At about 23:00 I got up to go to the loo, and BAM! My water broke. As in gushed everywhere. I swear I could hear it! Now this is pretty significant: I wasn't prepared that my water would break. My mom, aunt and gran all had to have their water broken in labour, due to very tough membranes. I think I said "Oh shit, my water just broke", to which my husband replied "You lie!". So I got up, went to the bathroom and the DH started packing my bag. He phoned my doctor's cellphone, and get this: My doctor was already at the hospital, performing an emergency c-section at that time on a public holiday!! God is merciful. DH was dressed in 5 seconds flat, and kept hurrying me. I just said I'm NOT leaving my house without make-up. So I put on make-up, got in the car and we raced to the hospital.

On the way there I started getting contractions. Nothing hectic, more like period pains than anything else, but really regular and close together. We arrived at the hospital at 23:30. My poor DH was still getting a wheelchair for me, but I raced straight past him, and ran to the labour ward! People, waters breaking is pretty dramatic, and my jeans were soaked by the time we got to hospital, despite two maternity pads!

In the labour ward, a wonderful sister looked after me and immediately gave me a hospital gown to change into. She checked my vitals and did my paperwork, and put a monitor on me for baby, and another one to check my contractions. Nicci was fine, and she said I was having very strong contractions, which surprised me, as it was no more painful than a menstrual cramp.

The doctor arrived to check on me, and he confirmed with a sonar that Nicci was still breech, and we decided that a c-section then and there was the best option.So off to theatre we went.

The worst part was the spinal, which the doc only got in on the second try, and it HURTS like HELL. Luckily my legs went numb immediately, and off we went.

My poor DH was in such shock, he couldn't even say anything. He had been convinced that Nicci would turn at 37 weeks and we would have a natural birth, but alas. He looked so cute in his hospital garb!!

My wonderful doctor kept talking to me throughout the procedure, telling me that NICU had been notified, as we didn't know how much Nicci would weigh or if she would be able to breathe properly, being four weeks premature. I was shit scared. I was praying the whole time, and I know DH was too.

Well, at 24:48 on Tuesday, April 14th our darling daughter arrived butt first and screaming. She weighed a whole 3.11kg, and she scored 9/10 on both her Apgar tests. The paediatrician was so surprised at how wonderfully well she looked, and that she hardly had to be suctioned at all. She breathed properly, and promptly started sucking the towel she was wrapped in. She was so incredibly beautiful. My DH started crying, and was comforted by the sister who booked me in (she was not part of the theatre personnel, but she followed us because she didn't want to miss the birth!).

We were wheeled into recovery, and because of my daughter's timing (only two babies were in the maternity ward at that stage), given a private room, which was incredible. I breastfed her immediately.

The bottom line? I really wanted a natural birth, because I wanted a speedy recovery so that I could devote myself to my daughter without pain. I had to have the c-section, because it would have been a risk to her life to attempt natural, given her position and size. I was determined to still have that, so I made myself get up at about 12:00 on the 14th, I made myself go to the loo and walked upright, and I breastfed my baby daughter every two hours for the whole time we were in hospital. Here I am, four days on, and I have no pain from the incision. I have the speedy recovery I wanted and I have a beautiful baby girl, who I love more than life itself.

That is such a beautiful story, and you right, we do serve a merciful God. Imagine him being at the hospital on a public holiday. So glad that everything went well and monm and baba are doing well. I must say that i was also well after my C-section. I did everything myself for me and baba.

jahni , it is a beatiful birth story and you little girl is cute

That is really a beautiful story, I almost started crying at work. People would think I am crazy. She is gorgeous! Congrats and enjoy motherhood it is the most precious experience in life (even though I still have to experience it).

She's gorgeous.

and yes... waters breaking are very DRAMATIC, definately not the Hollywood picture we're led to believe.

Nix

Amasing story and a very beautiful daughter. Hope hubby bought already that shot gun.

Cool story Jahni!! Although things don't always work the way you want it to, it always work out the best way it should.

She is so cuters by the way! Who took your family photos, it is AMAZING! I saw it on Fbook.

Hi Monzelle!

Picture perfect in Centurion. Fotograaf se naam is Hugo en hy's super cool.

xxx

Flippen awesome hoor!

Dankie!!!!

Jahni my friend-thanx for sharing the story again.
Its ver encouraging-I am going to try natural as well againts all these odds facing me-only leave c-sec for emergency, my girl has turned (since week 26), its just that she hasn't engaged-therefore DR can't feel the cervix.

LOL Jahni I loved the make-up bit

She is beautiful, thanks for sharing