After 2 years, I am finally sharing my childbirth experience. Giving birth to a premie was overwhelming, life-changing, and life-threatening. But thankfully, it worked out the way it’s supposed to.
Our pregnancy journey was pretty smooth from the beginning. We went to the monthly check-ups, followed doctor’s advice and had no issues. Little did we know, we were in for a big surprise.
April 9, 2018, 3am – I was on my 33rd week of pregnancy when my water broke, more than a month earlier than my actual due date. I woke up Aji, my husband, and asked him to bring me to the hospital. While waiting for our ride, I was already crying because I know I need to deliver Rio even if he still needs another month inside my tummy. When we got to the hospital I was transferred to the high-risk section of the delivery room and was shocked when the resident doctor informed me that I’m already in labor and at 1cm. I’m trying to be strong that time because I know my son needs me. And unfortunately, there’s no way that I can stop what was about to happen.
At around 10am, I was transferred to the labor room of the hospital wherein no visitors were allowed. My doctor informed me that Rio needs to stay inside me for at least 24 hours. They gave me a relaxant so my contractions won’t progress. They also gave me steroids to help Rio’s lungs mature faster and another medicine which I can’t remember but it made me feel dizzy and really, really thirsty. I saw everything around me in doubles. If only Aji can hold my hand. If only he was in there with me while I experience all the weird pain; physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
April 10, 2018 – My doctor informed me that they need to hold Rio in for as long as possible. I was scared and worried. I am alone in that room. No phones. No visitors allowed. Not even my husband. The only thing that kept me calm is when I am thirsty and Aji comes to the delivery room to refill my water bottle every couple of hours. We still don’t see each other, but I ask the nurse on duty to hand over some notes that I wrote for him, giving him instructions and updates regarding my situation. These moments uplift my spirit knowing he’s just a few meters away from me. Water never tasted so good.
I was on strict bed rest. I was on catheter and a fetal monitor. They do blood tests everyday to check for any signs of infections. They do ultrasound every other day to check my water level and a doctor is beside me 24/7. All I need to do is eat and sleep.
April 13, 2018 – I was frightened when I saw the ultrasound. I can’t even recognize that there’s a baby inside me. There’s barely any water. My tummy was so small that it looked like I was just 3 months pregnant. This time, two of my doctors agreed that they need to induce labor as soon as possible. By 2pm, I was given oxytocin to induce labor. Four hours later, I‘m at 3cm and already catching my breath but I can still tolerate the pain. Since this is my first time giving birth, dying was not far from my thoughts. It was really scary.
My anaesthesiologist arrived at 8pm and quickly administered the anaesthesia. At this point, a huge, bouncer-like man held my shoulders to ensure that I will not move. I was shaking and grasping for air trying my best to relax. And then I felt the doctor touch my lower spine. After about 20 seconds, she said “Done!” All of my shaking stopped and asked her, “Really? I thought it would hurt.” She just smiled at me and told the nurse to transfer me to the VIP room for delivery. I was surprised that it didn’t hurt as much as I expected it to. It actually didn’t hurt at all!
By 9pm, I was transferred to the VIP room. I am so excited to see Aji. After 5 days, we can finally experience this together.
I was crying at this point. He was nervous. He was walking back and forth inside the room. And I told him to relax because Rio will not come out for the next few hours as I am still at 6cm.
By 11pm, I am at 8cm and then by April 14, 2018, 1am, my doctor told me that it’s time to deliver the baby. After a few pushes, around 1:50am, I heard a small voice, crying! Rio’s finally out. Aji cut Rio’s umbilical cord and the doctor placed Rio on my chest.
It was the best feeling in the world! I wasn’t able to feed him because the doctors need to put him inside the incubator right away to maintain his body temperature.
Rio stayed in NICU for fifteen days.
We visited him five times a week. We brought milk and I cuddled him until he fell asleep.
Fathers are allowed to visit inside NICU for the first week only and on the second week, only mothers can visit inside.
On April 29, 2018, we finally brought Rio home.
