We have 9 months to prepare and lucky for us, preparing nowadays is much easier than our mothers did back in the day, with easy access to technology, blogs, vlogs, and free workshops, there’s so much out there to help you get ready for D-day. In my case, the preparation wasn’t enough even if I spent most of my days on the couch reading and watching things that might be helpful in my delivery and in taking care of my baby. Cause I guess, the SSS comes in all pregnancies.
Spontaneity – I was already having contractions on my 36th week and we knew that she would come soon than we have planned. On my 37th week and 1 day, I was already experiencing back contractions that were 5-7minutes apart. 5 hours in, my water broke, while I was showering. We rushed to the hospital and I was already at 5cm then. My Covid test expired exactly that day so I had to take both Antigen and RT-PCR while I’m having contractions, you can just imagine how painful that was. I was rushed at 2 pm and have stayed there for 2 hours, my water already broke so the doctor said if I did not progress, they’d have to do an emergency CS, 5 minutes after she said that, I was at 10cm. It was a proud moment for me since I really want to have a normal delivery, good thing my body knows how to listen.
Sacrifices – When I planned my birth with my OB, we agreed that my husband would be in the delivery room and that I would have an epidural. None of these 2 happened because everything happened so fast. While I was in the labor room, my husband was busy requesting our room, submitting forms needed by the hospital, checking in the baby’s things in NICU, etc. So I couldn’t get a hold of him, I was having contractions alone, holding onto the rails of the hospital bed instead of my husband’s hand. With the pain I was experiencing, asking for him to come in, slipped my mind, so I gave birth without him in the room. But now, I’m glad he wasn’t there to see how painful it was for me. My anesthesiologist did not come on time so it was too late to have an epidural. So there I was, pushing and feeling all sorts of pain, both my legs even cramped while I was pushing. And the moment I had my one last push, I heard silence, then a few seconds after, I heard my baby cry.
Surprises – Despite being assured by the doctors, the ultrasounds, and the tests, that my baby was well, she had a rare condition that would require surgery. When those words were being said to me, I thought it was just a dream, because how could something like that happen to a sweet little girl that was just a few hours old? I couldn’t believe it. And as much as I would like to hold her and comfort her, I was not allowed to because my Covid tests haven’t come out yet. It was such a surprise, it was such a difficult time.
7 months after giving birth, my baby is now happy and healthy. It was indeed a unique labor experience and I’m still so surprised by what my body can do. It's true what they say that every labor is unique, but I guess, all labors have their own SSS, spontaneity, sacrifices, and surprises.