Baby Makes Three ( Part One )

Dear Diary...look I know bringing life into the world is supposed to be a wondrous experience, but I'd be lying if I said I got any pleasure from child birth at all.

It all started on a cold Friday morning in October. I'd been in bed
with the flu for a couple of days, it left me with a raging temperature
and aches like I hadn't had in a long time, plus on top of that I was
nearly nine months pregnant, 'notice I say nearly.'

As I began to wake from a dream of sunbathing on a hot beach,
covered in suntan lotion, I was aware that though this had been a
dream, my bed felt uncomfortably damp, 'could I have wet the bed in my sleep?' I thought to myself...my face becoming hotter suddenly, at the realisation that my waters had broken. 'Ah! What do I do now?' Was the first thing I asked myself.

The baby wasn't supposed to be due for another two weeks, I was
all at sixes and sevens, then I remembered my friends words;
“when a baby wants to be born, it doesn't wait for dates.”

Well...this was my first child, I didn't have a clue what to expect, to
be honest I just thought you went to hospital and the baby would just
slip out, after all look at the women in third world countries who
work in the paddy fields, they give birth there on the spot, then go
straight back to work...so how hard can it be?

The realisation that I was on my own and I would have to run around
making plans hit me like a ton of bricks.

Slowly, with a sheet catching the water running down my legs, I
waddled down stairs to the bathroom, feeling like a penguin due to
give birth pretty soon.

Grabbing some towels from the airing cupboard, I made my way to
the phone, my head feeling like it was doing cartwheels, while my
body tried to keep up.

First I phoned my hubby who was at work, telling him to get home
pronto, that the baby was on its way. Then I phoned the hospital,
they were kind enough to send an ambulance to pick me up, as we had
no form of transport at the time and I didn't fancy the idea of going in a taxi with water dripping down my legs. I could just imagine what the
taxi driver would say. “Any damage to my car and you'll have to pay.”

Well you know what I mean. Between the contractions and sneezing,
I had no idea how long I waited before the ambulance came. I grabbed an overnight bag and stuffed the things in I would need. “Now let's see...tooth brush, toothpaste, soap, flannel, towel, check! Oh! shampoo and conditioner...my hair will be a sight for sore eyes by tomorrow.”

Finally they arrived; waddling to the door, still in my nightie, slippers
and dressing gown, I explained that I'd been in bed with the flu, the
ambulance men were very nice and completely understanding.

Leaving a quick note for hubby on the kitchen table, the nice kind
men wheeled me out to the ambulance, where upon I noticed curtains
twitching as the neighbours were curious as to see what was going on.
“Talk about embarrassing!”

There were no sirens going thankfully as we travelled to the city
hospital, I hate drawing attention to myself.

Being wheeled into the hospital was such a relief, my bulging stomach
was becoming heavier and heavier. I was signed in and taken by lift to the delivery floor. As the nice men wheeled me down the corridor, I couldn't help but notice women in gowns shuffling along, looking in absolute agony and holding their sides.

'What was going to happen to me?' I thought to myself. 'Would I panic and pass out? A caesarean...Ah! No, please not that, the thought of being cut open sent shivers through me, I just wanted a natural birth, this was turning into a scary journey.'

The next moment I was in the delivery room, it was very white and
empty, apart from a bed and a monitor, a table with some scales, that was about it.

A nurse appeared and told me to get gowned up and that she would
be back in a moment. Soon I was laying on the bed, not quite sure
what would happen next.

A nurse popped her head around the door. “Everything al right deary?”

I nodded and kind of sent a smile her way.

“Be with you in a tick...just got to...mumble – mumble – mumble.”

I didn't catch the last few words, so presumed I must just lay there
and be patient and restrain from asking what the hell happens now?
I stayed calm and composed as nurses entered and left, goodness
knows how many times.

Hearing screams and yells coming from the other birth rooms, it
sounded like they were being tortured, not a very good advert for
me, who was about to go through the same thing.

Hubby finally arrived at the hospital. “Where have you been?” I demanded.

“Sorry,” he said, “had to stop off at mums first, then home, found
your note and got here as soon as I could.”

Hubby got bored after about two hours of wandering in and out. His first excuse was he was hungry, so he went to the hospital canteen, then he needed the toilet, then he needed fresh air.

To be honest I was glad to be left alone, because when he finally did
settle, the nurse brought a portable television in for him to watch the
football. YUK! Hours of football was more than I could bear and
there was no way I could get away...HELP!

To be continued.....