Labour Room Drama 201

 Respect your mothers and worship God, as the process of Birthing is nothing short of miraculous.

Hello Stella,


I hope this meets you well.


So, I had my baby February this year. Oh Lord, it's the craziest experience ever. People, respect your mothers and worship God, as the process is nothing short of miraculous.


I woke up early that Friday morning to pee, like 6:00am. On peeing and trying to clean up, I noticed something slimy and bloody. Instantly, I knew it was time but still, I wished for more time. I called my husband to see what's up. I began to pack my stuff and the baby's for the hospital. I began to feel menstrual like pains but it was very bearable.


Fortunately, that day was my routine antenatal appointment, so by 10:00am, we went to the hospital. The doctor asked me to lay down for the vaginal  exam and I obeyed. As he inserted his fingers, I screamed so loud. It was insanely painful. The doctor said my body was preparing to go into labour. He said I could stay at the hospital, or go home and come back when the contractions come every 5 minutes. I opted to go home, as I had read extensively and SDK labour room segment too informed me that it could be a while.


I went home, called the woman who cleans for me to come clean, I walked to my tailor's to give her clothes, then walked to the barber's to trim my hair and walked back home. All the while, the menstrual like pains continued and was more intense bit still bearable.


By 6:00pm, it got realer and by almost 7, I was in pains. I called my husband to come home immediately. I went to shower and he got home. He cooked rice, we ate and by 8:30pm, we left for the hospital. The contractions were every 5 minutes.


I was examined at the hospital by past 9:00pm and was told to be at 2cms dilation. That vaginal examination was so painful, I cried. The doctor laughed at me, that I haven't seen pain. I got a room and the real deal started.


The pains increased that I stripped naked. I flung the hospital gown and went about naked. I was hot and cold. My back was on fire, I was just confused. I would scream, beg the baby to hasten up, call God, etc. I vomited twice or thrice. I told hubby to massage my back and I would scream for him to leave me alone. I craved sleep but the pain was too intense. My parents kept calling every 20 minutes. At a point, when they were talking with my husband, he said "the doctors says she's close". My mum thought he meant my pelvis is closed, so she started scabashing. She screamed "we are on our way there". That was like 5:00am.


By 6:00am, I was 8cm dilated and I was taken to the delivery room, my legs were heavy and every part of me ached. As they put me on IV and all the processes, my parents came in.


Apparently, my husband had given them address and went to take them up. They left home 5:00am and got to me by past 6:00am The doctors told them to excuse us. My parents refused. They said they needed 5 mins with me. See drama. They turned that place to mini crusade.


All I saw was anointing oil, mantle, Bible. They finished and left to wait. I felt the urge to push and they told me to push with the next contraction. When I pushed, I was told it was incorrect and told to push like I wanted too poop, while holding my ankles. I indeed pooped and kept apologizing. My husband was there all through, encouraging me, teasing me, filming, going to give my parents information. It was time and I pushed. However, my vagina was sorta small, so I had to be cut.


By 8:05am, out came my beautiful baby girl with lots of hair on her head. My tummy went in and I felt a calm immediately.


My baby was taken to one corner. She had to be turned upside down and her feet beaten before she cried. I saw this on video. I thought the storm was over. That was the beginning.

The cleaning of blood from inside was killing. They inserted clothes in and out. I thought I was in hell. They said they must take our as much as possible.


Suturing the episiotomy was a nightmare. I was given some anesthetic but it wore off too soon. I screamed, cried, begged. I felt every prick of the needle and drag of the thread. My mum came peeping. She couldn't bear my screaming. She was waving, saying sorry, but was ushered away. It was agonizing.


I was taken to my room and my mum barged me. Showering was handwork. I tried to sleep but they kept making calls, announcing they are grandparents, and a few friends came visting. I kept staring at my baby like a stranger. I couldn't believe I was a mum, I was exhausted from all the drama from the past 24 hours, I was confused as I didn't know what to do with a baby.


Thanks to my mum, aunty and a friend of mine who's a mum. They helped me so much, till I was able to be by myself. I had oedema, I.e water retention that caused swelling. I was so big. Those hot water rituals ehn... I hated them. My vagina was sore for 3 straight weeks but got better in the fourth. Sex was painful till like 4 months later.


Thank God for his mercies and grace. Just a look at my baby makes it all worth it. She is 7 months old now. Very beautiful, active and smart. She gives us unquantifiable joy.


Vaginal birth or CS, women are strong beyond what anyone knows. Pregnancy and birthing are a miracle. Motherhood is a lifelong journey of sacrifices.


Sorry for such a long write-up.
Thanks SDK,
You rock.
Anonymous.

*Your words gave me goose bumps....we take it for granted but the process of birthing a child is one awesome Miracle that happens every second.