Born in three pushes

The day of delivery I had doctor’s appointment, where I found out I still was 1 cm dilated (for almost a week).And I’m having uncomfortable shallow pain that my doctor explains to be Braxton Hicks contractions. The day before that I took a long walk with a friend to speed up the process (I was ready to do anything to bring this child out), apparently nothing has changed. Made plans for a next morning, Friday the 12^th to go to a Mosque, since this is the month of Ramadan.

 Cam and I were laying in the couch watching TV the night before baby came… and I felt a little something under my belly, a contraction, but of different type. At 11 o’clock we went to bed, Cam fell asleep right when his head touched the pillow, I on the other hand was starting to hit first active contractions. The funny thing is when I nervously said that my contractions have started, he replied “baby, we will cross fingers, ok?” =) didn’t really know what he meant but I said ok… So mild contractions kept coming and going for about an hour, then it really kicked me in for solid another two hours with 2-3 min interval, from 15sec to 1+ min in duration. There is no way it is Braxton Hicks. Cam downloaded this really cool Contraction Timer app, we were timing it from the beginning until we got to the hospital. I was in sharp pain. However, I was so happy to finally have my baby boy. We quickly got dressed and flew to the Piedmont Hosp. We had all our necessity packed in my car week prior, in case of sudden labors. Which was brilliant idea, I think.

Arrived at the hospital, all the papers taken care of … changed, and settled. Cord blood nurses came in with info. Had strong contractions for another two hours or so, then set of nurses came in, and finally injected epidural. Pain vanished in seconds. We were laughing and talking, excited and happy. Loved the little button attached to epidural cord to pump more of it if needed. So I used that thing approximately 20 times. Doctor came back from C-section, for about third time and said I am 8 cm dilated. OH, how excited and nervous I was simultaneously to hear that. Very little left to go!! Doctor came back with the nurse for the last time now, and here you… Cam was holding my hand. And in only three strong pushes baby Arthur was born, in THREE PUSHES. Doctor was shocked as well. After all the sharp contractions and shots(I had to pee through the tube inserted…really uncomfortable feeling) I am the happiest ever. Seeing these eyes, cute lips, tiny fingers, and nails worth all the pain I had in the hospital. Now baby is 9 days old. Right after the umbilical cord had fallen off we took a bath with this “Russian morgoncovka”- bright purple powder put in water to kill the bacteria (part of 40 days tradition). Also circumcision completely hea

led. Things are going very well. Baby is happy, mama and papa are happy as well =) Cant post baby pictures yet, have to wait 31 more days.

Babies are flowers of life.

    I have never wrote or posted anything in social network to the public before. Baby Arthur is on his way and I'm happy to share with everyone with the process of his arrival.

 Tomorrow is the due date 07.09.2013. However, Arthur doesn't feel like leaving mama's womb yet. I thought of going to a park and walk a mile or two, to see if I can induce the labor (we will see). More to the point! As soon as Arthur is here, by Kazakh tradition I'm going to stay in for full 40 days, the baby doesn't leave the house and is only touched by parents. It would give me time to recuperate from labor, new family to settle into the groove, and the most important, I think, keep the baby from germs.

There is more tradition to it. When the baby is 40 days old, the family throws a special party to officially welcome the baby into the world. Family elders take baby's clothes off and rub sheep fat into his skin.( I will probably use olive oil instead) Then, everyone ladles 40 spoonful of water over the baby, while saying a wish   and blessings for him. Anyone who have golden jewelries take them off and put into the tab where baby is bathing. It symbolizes wealth, while rubbing oil is sort of a shield to protect baby from illnesses.

Yay! My very first blog post is complete. So, baby will be here at any time. We will keep you updated when  Arthur is born, and progress along the way. Stay tuned, family and friends. Talk to you soon!