Our baby girl arrived unexpectedly at 34 weeks, one and a half month earlier than her due date. She was proudly delivered by Papa at our home in Japan. It has been an overwhelming week for all of us. Firstly, I didn't expect her to be here so early. Secondly, the idea of having an unplanned / unassisted home birth wasn't exactly what I had in mind. My previous two labours went extremely fast, took about 40mins and 20mins. I knew this was going to be a quick one again but not quite the birth plan I had in mind.
I was admitted to the hospital for bleeding and contractions two days before her birth. The doctor put me on medication to stop the contractions and an injection to mature the baby's lungs. An extra day the baby stayed in the womb, the better the chance that the baby will have a healthy start. The medication would take two days to achieve its full effect. Meanwhile, I had to stay in the hospital on bedrest.
On Monday evening, I was allowed to go back home to continue my bedrest. However I started to feel painful cramps during dinner. Papa helped me to the bed to rest. The contractions started coming fast, each one lasted for a minute in every 5 to 10 minutes interval. After 20 minutes, I knew we had to head for the hospital which was half an hour's drive away. I had a sudden urge to go to the toilet. My water bag burst when I sat down. The next second, I felt her head crowning. I couldn't believe what happened. I still remember telling Papa, "I need to get to the hospital, NO WAY am I going to have the baby here! I need a doctor! Help!" But it was too late. Baby's head was out, Papa said I had to push. "OMG!!!" He grabbed all the towels he could get his hands on. In a few minutes, the baby was out. Papa described how she "shot out like an eel" into his arms. He wrapped her in a towel to keep her warm and put her on my chest. I put my finger to open her mouth to make sure her air passage was clear. She cried a little and I was relieved.
The ambulance came in ten minutes, paramedics clamped and cut the baby's umbilical cord. I am truely amazed by the efficiency of the emergency service in Japan. One fire engine and two ambulances were parked outside, almost blocking the road. Eight men in uniforms suddenly coming into the house. My two boys were a little confused. They knew that their baby sister had arrived, but teared when they saw the paramedics carry me and the baby away. "Where is mummy going?" Papa explained to the boys later.
Carol rushed over and accompanied me to the hospital . (Thank you so much!) It's difficult with the language barrier and both of us felt safer with someone who can speak Japanese.
Cheryl is in neonatal ICU because she was born premature. She expected to stay in the hospital for about a month. She is feeding well and gaining weight each day. All of us are looking forward to the day she can come home. Will update more.
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