Yasmin's quick-as-a flash rainbow baby birth
Introduction
I was pregnant at 2013 and had a delayed miscarriage at week 12 on 10 October 2013. Scanned at my usual private gynae to discover baby was no longer breathing and stopped developing at week 9. I went through a normal natural miscarriage because I delayed my visit to the hospital. Yes, I am stubborn that way but I guess stubbornness paid off when I went to the doctor, all was released naturally and no need for D&C procedure. We named the baby Ramadhan to acknowledge his presence in our life. Even for a brief time with us. First pregnancy after miscarriage In January 2014, I discovered I was pregnant again. I was cautiously happy after what happened before and the first 12 weeks went by super slow. It was such a relief to see our baby healthy and with heartbeat at 12th week check up. My due date was 24 September 2014. We decided to have a homebirth for the first pregnancy but after what we went through, we were unsure. After back and forth emails with Wai Han, I felt more confident and decided to go for homebirth this time around as every pregnancy is different and I should not be discouraged after the miscarriage. My husband was very supportive and hands-on. We went to hypnobirth classes with Nadine and then a refresher meeting with Wai Han. My husband bought the birth pool, birth ball and other equipments needed for the pregnancy and birth. False labour After the 37 week mark, I had false labour on 9th September 2014. I was at work and had diarrhea in the morning. Decided to go home before noon, driving was challenging. As soon as I entered my home, I ran to the bathroom and vomited. I contacted Nadine and Wai Han and thought this is it. Its time! Had surges 20 minutes apart. Then 10 minutes apart.. By 7pm my surges were 5 minutes apart. Suddenly at 8pm it stopped. No more surges. I was confused. The next day, I went to work as usual. No more surges. Super disappointed. Is this it? Actual labour? On Sunday - 14th September 2014, I had a birth show in the morning around Subuh. It was red mucus, then continuously red spots on and off throughout the morning till noon. No surges so I thought to myself maybe baby will come sometime around this week. At noon, I just had a very light breakfast with hubby. Mum and sister went to IKEA to get some last minute stuff for baby – bathtub, baby changing mat and etc. Suddenly, I started getting diarrhea. Felt like I was detoxing my body since birth! I wanted to just stay in the bathroom so I didn’t have to rush every time. Running to the bathroom was not an option as I was walking like a penguin by this stage. After a break from the bathroom, I had a shower and rested for abit. Around 2 ish I felt surges. Very mild and perhaps 15 minutes apart. Did not want to time it in case it was another false labour. Again felt the urge to go to the bathroom, thought it was diarrhea again. On the toilet seat, I felt a strong surge then.. wooosh! Not diarrhea but my water broke! Shouted for my hubby and told him my water broke. And I felt like I wanted to shower again to ease my backpain (it was actually surges, didn’t know the difference). While showering for about 5 minutes, I felt the urge/instinct to breathe down baby. Then I thought to myself no, can’t be this fast. Called for my hubby again and asked him to walk me to the birth pool. Birth pool was only a quarter full of water. No time to prepare!! It was 3pm roughly by now. I was freaking out because it felt so fast, called Wai Han and she calmed me down with her words. I decided to breathe and calm down and let my muscles and baby do their magic. Uttered dzikir and prayers to help me calm down and relax. Surges were close apart, did not time it. Did birth breathing at every surge. Hubby kept reminding me to not tense up as my shoulders and face did not look relaxed. So I kept breathing and let go. Suddenly, a strong surge..Breathe down…HEAD OUT! Where was the ring of fire? Did not feel it.. Baby was crying then her body came out soon after. She was still coated in vernix. Masya Allah.. All praise to God. Eileen Dahlia was born at 3.40pm. Hubby received her and passes her to me. She stopped crying immediately as I put her on my chest. Her eyes open widely and she was so present in the now.. Observing her environment calmly and quietly. Hubby recited Azan and some prayers to her. Dear placenta, Please come out. After about 15 minutes, we (hubby, baby and I) moved to the bathroom and I sat on the toilet seat to birth the placenta. Hubby coached me to switch off my blood vessels. After that, we asked baby to tell her friend to come out. I was exhausted and thirsty. Probably dehydrated after all the diarrhea! About 30 minutes or lesses the placenta was out. Alhamdulillah.. Thank you Eileen. Mum and sister got home from IKEA to find hubby and I on the bed resting with a baby! They were indeed shocked. I had a minor tear and did not need stitches. Hurrah2! Hubby cut her cord 24 hours later after seeking her permission of course. Conclusion Birth of baby was all that I imagined. Intimate, natural, fast and full of amazing positive energy all around. Thanks to Wai Han and Nadine for the endless knowledge, support and guidance. We will forever be grateful to you both and sending you two all the positive aura from the universe to help you both to continue your journey in advocating purity and nature of pregnancies and births. Thank you dear husband, my pillar of strength for supporting the idea of homebirth and hypnobirth. You are definitely my soulmate, my best friend, my doctor, my nurse, my midwife (or in this case midhusband). You’re all I need. *hugs*. |