Love Letters to Natalie
Friday, December 30, 2005
Your Birth Story
Dearest Nat Nat,
Happy 1 year old to you! I meant to write this letter much earlier on your birthday itself but we were in HK then so I waited till we came back to write it.
12 months have passed since the day I held you in my arms for the first time at the hospital. From a needy newborn, you have come a long way to become the cheerful, cheeky and so full of expressions little girl you are today. I thank God everyday for his blessings and protection over you and for bringing you into our lives. Things are never quite the same since you came along.
I guessed it is apt that I write your birth story in this special birthday letter to you. Let's just do a really quick one since I have forgotten alot of the details. I started feeling the contractions around noon time on 20th Dec 2004. The contractions were mild and I could still go on with my daily stuffs so I wasn't paying much attention to them.
I had plans to do some last minute Christmas shopping and was urging your Daddy to get ready to leave the house. I went to the toilet to get ready and discovered some blood-like discharge and quickly alerted your daddy. After that I kept having the urge to clear my bowels and I sorta knew you're planning to make your grand arrival.
I quickly sms Anny to let her know and to seek her advice. She told me to get something to eat before I go to the hospital. Thank God I had the hospital bag all packed and was ready to go. Your Jiu Jiu even made an effort to drive your Daddy and me to the hospital. We got macdonalds to fill our stomachs on the way. At the hospital, we were told to go to the gynae's clinic to see him. At his clinic, he told his nurse to monitor your heartbeat. After lying on the bed for a long time, I was told to go home and wait even though I told him about the blood discharge. So I obediently went home.
While at home, the contractions became more and more frequent and intense. I started going to the toilet more often too and the bloody discharge became thicker too. At around 7 pm, it was decided that I shall have dinner and then head for the hospital again since the contractions now lasted for more than 1 min each time and were like 10 mins apart.
I went straight to the delivery ward to admit myself when we reached the hospital. Your Daddy went to do the admittance paperworks while I stayed in the delivery room. It was nice and cosy and there was even a TV there. The pain was still manageable and all the while I was at peace, praying nonstop for a safe delivery and healthy baby. I brought the book "Supernatural Childbirth" with me to the delivery ward too but was in no mood to read. I also called Cordlife to
make arrangement for cordblood collection.
The midwife checked and found that I was 3 cm dilated. Then a while later, the gynae came and he checked and found that I was already 5 cm dilated. That was like only 10 to 20 mins after the midwife checked me. I was pretty pleased coz I thought 5 cm was already 1/2 way there and it wasn't really painful yet so another 5 cm won't be so bad right?
Then the gynae decided to break my waterbag while the heartbeat monitor was still strapped on to me to monitor your heartbeat. Once the waterbag was burst, the gynae found meconium in the water and told me that we had to go for an emergency caesarean because you were already in distress and he didn't want to risk you swallowing the meconium . That was totally out of my expectation but I knew that there was no other way out though I badly wanted to have a natural childbirth. Your Daddy was still doing the admittance paperworks and wasn't with me when the gynae broke the news and for once, I got nervous.
Anyway, the rest of the events happened really fast. Your Daddy came back, the gynae told the nurses to prepare me for the operation and I was wheeled into the operating theatre not knowing what to expect. That was the first time in my entire life to end up in an operating theatre. Well, there's a first time to everything in life I guess.
When I woke up from the operation, I was in a daze. I could only remember I was extremely thirsty and I could feel a little pain at where the wound was but the pain was manageable. It wasn't too bad. I asked if you are safe and healthy and was told that you opened your eyes to look around the moment they brought you out to show to the entire family (porpor, gong gong, jiu jiu, Mandy jie jie, Aunt Angel and Daddy) waiting outside and I can't remember much of what happened after that.
As I have requested that you be fully breastfed and no bottles or teats are to be introduced to you, the nurse brought you to me to be nursed a few mins after I was wheeled into the ward. As my wound was still hurting, I was taught to nurse you lying sideway. You latched on immediately and sucked really well. It was a magical moment breastfeeding you for the first time. The way you suckle really hard for the milk makes me realise how precious life is and how wonderfully made you are. And I praise and give thanks to God for a safe delivery and a healthy you.
Well, that's your birth story for you. Some day you'll be a mother and you will be able to relate more to what I have written here. Regardless of how you have made your entry into this world, you have made this place a happier place for all of us who love you so so much.
I know you will continue to grow and blossom coz Daddy God will be looking after you and taking care of you himself. Times when I'm careless and negligent, I know Daddy God has stepped in to help. These 12 months would not be so blissful without Him and without everyone who has a part to play in a way or another, especially your Daddy and your Por Por. I thank Daddy God for placing them in my life.
May you grow up to be a good girl, a good person and may you walk closely with our God all the while.
Love you very much,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 1:02 AM
