Fairy Girl

After eight months of trying to fall pregnant, we finally managed to succeed. Our blood tests were positive. I was about 5 weeks along.

Our first scan showed that our baby was healthy and the due date was the 28th January 2009. Both daddy and I were excited.

I was very tired for most of my pregnancy, most of my friends and family would say what’s new!

Around 24 weeks we discovered that we were going to have a little girl. I was very excited and I immediately started planning the nursery. I chose a Fairy theme as I simply love Fairies.

I suddenly developed a liking for beer and sweets. I am not a beer drinker and neither did I have a sweet tooth, so she was definitely going to take after her daddy.

The first and second trimesters were wonderful, but the third started off with constant heartburn and severe constipation, both quite common in pregnancy. At 30 weeks I had to have a haemorrhoidectomy. I was told by many that it would be a painful op, but honestly it wasn’t. After the op I was told that I would probably have to have a Caesar, now that was not an option for me. I burst out crying as I desperately wanted to have natural birth. I had natural birth with my first born, Joshua, and it was such a beautiful experience, I was very fortunate to only be in labour for 4 hours.

After my six week check up the Doctor explained that I could try natural birth but the chances were that I’d probably have to have another haemorrhoidectomy. I did not think twice and decided natural it would be. You are probably wondering why I am so anti Caesar, well the thought of me having to have an epidural just freaked me out. I am petrified of needles.

The last month was a difficult month for me, I retained a lot of water (oedema) and I was huge. The heat was unbearable. January 27th, I had the most excruciating pain at 7 am in the morning. The pain only lasted about 2 minutes. I spent the rest of the day having coffee with Ali and just relaxing and lazing around the house. At 6pm I met my gynae for my weekly check up. Little did I know that I was already 3cm dilated and already in labour. The pain I felt at 7am was the start of the first phase and stage.

My Doctor said the baby would probably arrive during the night. I experienced pain at 3 am and again at 5 am, but the pain was bearable. Around 8 am I called my gynae as I was concerned because the contractions had stopped, he asked me to come in and bring my bag. We arrived around 9 am and I was still only 3 cm dilated and our baby seemed to be quite happy in mommy’s tummy. I was really tired and I felt huge, my ankles were so swollen, so when Doc asked if I’d like to be induced I jumped at the offer.

At 10:30 am they broke my water. According to the many books I have read, the breaking of the water is not meant to be sore. I beg to differ, it was bloody sore. My Doc said he’d be back around 12:30 pm to give me a shot to increase the contractions / labour. He had no sooner turned around and the contractions started, fast and furious. I lost count of how many minutes there were between them etc. I was in pain serious pain. Around 12:30 I begged for an epidural but there was no anaesthetist available at that moment. I was told that I would have to wait until 1 pm.

A shot of pethadine came my way, now that is an awesome drug. It took the edge off and I loved it.

My hubby was there next to me, he never left my side. He never said much, just rubbed my back and told me I’d be okay. I think it is quite difficult for a hubby to see his wife in so much pain and if you think of it there is nothing he can do except “be there” and “offer you love and support”.

My Doctor arrived around 12:40 and little Abigail was brought into the world at 12:50. It was a very quick labour, she was born within 2 hours and 15 minutes, from the time they broke my water.

She was absolutely perfect. She had 10 toes and 10 fingers and a pair of lungs on her. She proudly announced to the world that she had arrived. It was such a joyous moment for Barend and I.

Abigail weighed 3.35 kg and she is our little treasure.