Nicolette's Birth Story

My baby was due on February 1, 1999; however, I never got a contraction. Braxton Hicks, of course, but nothing more. The doctors wanted to wait a week more past my due date, but nothing happened. Then another week, still no baby. I went to the hospital everyday for CTG. My husband and family got tired of waiting for the baby. I was worn out by the first week itself. Finally, on February 15 my doctor suggested induction. We got to chose the baby's birthday to be February 17. I was admitted that morning and labor was induced (through a tablet placed in the uterus). My cervix had dilated 2 cm already as I reached the hospital. The doctors said this was a good sign. But still no contractions. There was no progress until about 2pm, and they placed another tablet at about 2:30. They scanned and said the baby was fine.

After the second tablet the progress was fast. The pains were strong, but I did not scream. My mother-in-law gave me a tip. She said if I screamed the baby would take longer to come out, so I went through labor silently. God and I know what I went through! I could feel my back was tearing apart. The contractions were killing me. I thought to myself " this will be the first and the last baby I will ever have." My mom and my mother-in-law were with me throughout. The hospital would not let my husband in, as I live in a Muslim country where men are not allowed in the wards. They allow the husband's presence only at the time of delivery.

Finally my uterus had dilated a full 10cms at about 1:45 am (February 18)). Then the hardest part - the pushing. Luckily, I had to push for only about 45 minutes. Since they gave me three sedative shots, I was falling asleep between pushes. The nurses tried to keep me awake. Then I remember the episiotomy. They cut once. Since I had a big baby, they cut again. I had extended episiotomy. Then the head came out and with one last push, my baby was out. What a relief! I was laughing and crying at the same time. I was so relieved I didn't even ask if was a boy or a girl. It was a girl of course. I knew it all along. Frankly, I didn't think my husband would stand through it as he can't stand blood. He was the happiest man on earth as he wanted a girl.

We named her Nicollette Esther Sebastian. Nicole is now almost three months old. She can turn on her sides. She talks and smiles a lot, making it hard for me to leave for work every morning. I miss her every minute when I am at work and can't wait to get back home.

She is our little angel and I have already forgotten the almost 24 hours of labor I went through to get my angel.