My Delivery

My original due date was 20th Dec but was changed t0 17th after my 11th week ultrasound. Even into 15th Dec, there was no sign of me coming out :-)

On 18th Dec, Amma and Appa visited Dr. Jacqueline Fletcher for their regular checkup, but the progress was not much; 1 cm dilation but 50% effacement. Doctor did massage to help in dilating. After a brief discussion with Doctor, induction was scheduled for Thursday 21st Dec hoping that I'll be born on 22nd Dec, well before Christmas holidays.

But, I had other ideas. On 19th morning, mom started feeling the contractions. These were very small ones, but Appa for sure told that baby is ready for birth. Instead of just sitting and waiting,both Appa and Amma got haircuts, groceries and got the final preparations by packing the bags. Ajji prepared food for couple of days.

By 7 in the evening, contractions were regular & strong. Everybody decided to have an early dinner and head to the hospital. By 9.45, Amma, Appa & Ajji went to the hospital. Resident Nurse (RN) found that Amma had around a cm of dilation with full effacement. They decided to put Amma in observation. While contractions were going on, RN registered Amma into the hospital by asking all kind of various different questions. RN and others kept on checking the dilations every two hours. By 1 AM on 20th, it was 4 cms dilation and lots of pain. Amma asked for epidural injection which relieved a lot of pain. This delayed the progess though, by 5 AM dilation was just 4.5 cms. RN started talking about sending us back home !

Amma was determined to have me that day! And so were the doctors. They added Oxytocin (Petocin) to the fluid supply to induce the contractions more. As Doctors broke the water, they found that I had pooped inside. So, they added clear water to wash the placenta. At this time, Amma had Oxygen mask, Fluids, Water for washing me inside, Epidural, Oxytocin and a cathetar for urinal discharge. Amma was saying that she has everything on her that hospital can offer! Though epidural was wearing off, Amma didn't asks for another dose until 7 AM. This helped in increasing the effectiveness of contractions and we were almost there by 8.30AM.

With shift changes, a very pleasant nurse by name Angela took over. She was really an angel and helped Amma to go through the steps of labor slowly. Amma got another dose of epidural. Along with helping Amma to push, Angela was coordinating with others to get the tables and equipment ready. She paged doctors (OB-GYN and Pediatrician) around 9.30 AM. Amma started pushing and within 5-6 contractions (around 20 mins), my head started coming out. Dr. Stinson, who practices along with Amma's OB-GYN was conducting perinium massage, applied oil and also did an episiotomy. With all this help, I was born at 10.15 AM 20th Dec 2006.

As soon as I was born, they took me to the examining side of the room. I was OK and started crying. This made everybody else OK and the 'poop in the lungs' fear was over! Pediatrician along with a nurse, tested me, cleaned me briefly and gave me to join my mom & dad. Both were very excited and at the same time surprised to see how awake I was (i was looking around), at my size and activities. Ajji called Ajja back in India. Amma called Saroja aunty to let her know that I was born.

I was 3.29 kgs (7 lb 4 oz), 20 inches long.

Amma was cleaned up and was given a good meal. And I was cleaned up and given a go around with Ajji, Appa and Amma. Amma went to sleep right after feeding me and so did I.
Here are my pictures &

MyBirth_Click for more photos