born.in.japan

The Birth

A year ago today, Ewan was born in Japan. Thanks to the magic of the international date line, the actual anniversary of his birth here in the States is today, while his official birthday is tomorrow. So, today, I’ve decided to spend some time reflecting on his birth, being a little wistful for all that was. Tomorrow, well, that will be all about celebrating. Celebrating this little man, all the growing he has done, the person he has already become. Tomorrow.

A year ago, with all that was going on, I never got around to writing a proper birth story as I had intended. Now, a year later, I know my memory is anything but perfect. But, rather than passing up yet another opportunity, I am going to write about his birth, as I remember it. Here goes…

I remember having an extraordinarily busy weekend, one that would usually overwhelm me, but it didn’t because I knew that that week, my first on maternity leave, would bring rest.

I remember writing lists of all the things I hoped to do in the six weeks before Ewan’s due date.

I remember ordering fiber to spin in my last six weeks of alone time.

I remember waking up at 5am on my first day of maternity leave to go to the bathroom (not an unusual occurrence for a woman 9 months along).

I remember getting back to the bedroom and trying to maneuver my pregnant form back down onto my futon.

I remember feeling the pop and splash as my butt touched down.

I remember telling Aaron that I thought my water had just broke, and him asking me if I was sure I hadn’t just wet myself.

I remember calling everyone back home on Skype, announcing to them that there would be a birth soon.

I remember being excited, not the least bit fearful, despite the fact that I was only 35 or 36 weeks along, depending on who you asked.

I remember calling my dear friend Chisako, who would be translating during the birth, to tell her the news.

I remember taking a shower while the warm amniotic fluid dripped down my thighs. My body desperately trying to keep our babes little swimming pool full.

I remember eating breakfast around the table with Aaron and Chisako. Cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. In a rush, though it should have been relaxed.

I remember getting to my maternity hospital, being checked by my doctor, and receiving the heartbreaking news that I would have to be transferred. It was too early and my clinic didn’t have the equipment for a premature little one.

I remember crying and being scared of the new unknown. What will the new hospital and doctors be like? Will my babe be ok?

I remember getting to the new hospital, meeting my new doctor, and being surprised that he, and the staff, knew quite a bit of English.

I remember talking through our plan, being told that I would have 24 hours to birth this babe on my own, and being asked if I wanted one of those “spinal anesthetic things.” When I told the doctor that I didn’t want an epidural, he breathed a sigh of relief saying that they didn’t do them anyways. My options for the day, a c-section or “gamman” (endure).

I remember getting another ultrasound, telling the doctor that we didn’t know the sex of the babe, and him being surprised but willing to help keep the secret. He turned the screen away.

I remember being taken to a room with three beds one filled with another laboring woman. I was given one of the beds and before I really knew what was happening I was hooked up to an IV, given an antibiotic, and hooked up to a fetal monitor.

I remember looking at Aaron, with tear filled eyes, telling him that this wasn’t what I wanted.

I remember having the IV taken out, the monitor removed, and being taken to a private room where I could labor in peace.

I remember Aaron and Chisako leaving. Aaron to go shower and pick up a few things from home. Chisako to sleep, we had woken her up early and she hadn’t gotten much rest the night before.

I remember being alone in my room, setting up my speakers and iPod, taking out my knitting, and singing a little song as the contractions started to become more regular and powerful.

I remember calling Aaron and telling him that he might want to come back, the contractions were getting closer and stronger. I needed him.

I remember spending a lot of time sitting on the little portable toilet in my room, it was easier than changing pad after pad.

I remember Aaron coming back and teaching him my contraction song.

I remember the contractions coming closer and harder and wondering where I was at. Eager to meet my little one, thinking that things certainly must be getting close.

I remember being disappointed when I found out things weren’t progressing very quickly at all. The first time I was checked, more than 6 hours after my water had broken, I was only 2cm along. I knew then that it was going to be a long day.

I remember saying “starto” and “stoppu” with each contraction.

I remember evening falling, quiet hours coming, and being told that we had to move to a different room, so that we wouldn’t disturb other patients, resting.

I remember walking to the new room, sitting in my new bed, and settling back into my rhythm. A slightly reclined position was the best for me, lying down was torture.

I remember eating a bit of food and drinking some apple juice.

I remember puking a short while later, on my husband.

I remember Kawai-sensei coming to be with me, although I don’t remember looking at her. I spent much of my time sitting with a cool wet towel over my eyes.

I remember asking for a c-section, once, during a particularly long and painful contraction. My husband told me that we couldn’t get one right then during that contraction, so we’d have to talk about it when it was finished. We didn’t.

I remember my husband telling me that he was doing his best to help me, and I told him he was doing a crappy job. I’m not proud of that moment, I think he did a great job.

I remember it being late, after midnight when they checked me again. I was only 6cm. It was disappointing and seemed like I was so far away.

I remember Kawai-sensei deciding to leave, the doctors and midwives thinking I still had a long time to go. She had to teach in the morning.

I remember being told that I had to change positions. I had spent too much time sitting and the baby wasn’t able to make any progress. I was starting to have some swelling.

I remember them starting to lower my bed into a lying position and crying out in agony, then asking if I could stand instead.

I remember being braced against the wall with the fetal monitor attached swaying side to side with each contraction coming faster, stronger, harder.

I remember the midwife coming into the room, seeing the empty bed, and asking where I had gone. She was surprised to see me, at that stage of labor, standing.

I remember standing along the wall and feeling the need to push.

I remember getting back in my bed. Pushing and apologizing for pushing. But I couldn’t stop.

I remember the surprise on the midwives and doctors faces when they checked. I was fully dilated, about 45 minutes after I was just at 6cm. They moved me quickly to the delivery room.

I remember teaching the nurses, midwives, and doctors how to say “push” in English.

I remember being told to open my eyes, that it would help me push better, but wanting to keep them shut.

I remember pushing, hard and strong with each contraction, feeling the babe start to emerge. The contraction stopping, and the babe slipping back in. One step forward, two steps back.

I remember the contractions actually slowing down. Being told to push, but telling them that I couldn’t. Waiting for the next contraction to come.

I remember how it felt when he finally came out. A release, an emptiness, our first separation.

I remember finding out that it was a boy, what I had expected, and crying.

I remember him being taken away to be examined, and then being brought back to me, a brief moment on my chest, feeling his warm little body. So small, so fragile and him being taken again.

I remember my belly being massaged to help with the delivery of the placenta.

I remember being annoyed. After delivering the baby I thought I was done, that I would be left alone. Instead, I had a placenta to deliver and twelve stitches to endure.

I remember telling the doctor, as he sutured, that he was not my friend.

I remember telling Chisako to translate that.

I remember the doctor laughing, understanding the English.

I remember Aaron and Chisako leaving to go with the babe, obvious now that he was going to need a little extra help.

I remember being wheeled back to my room. Tired, exhilirated, worried, anxious, and alone.

I remember being told not to go to sleep for two hours, just in case I had any bleeding or complications.

I remember falling asleep moments after the nurse walked out my door.

I remember Aaron and Chisako coming back, trying to explain to me what was going on with our babe.

I remember crying.

I remember Aaron holding my hand, being strong even though he was just as worried and tired as I.

I remember the trials of those first couple weeks. The tears we shed. The worries we had.

I remember it all so vividly.

I remember bringing my little guy into the world.

I remember that being the beginning of what has been, surely, the best year of my life.

I remember so much, and yet so little. I’m hoping having it here, recorded, will help me to recall it all as I am sure future years will further dull my memory.

I will always remember this day, this birth day, this day that I became a mama. Fondly.

Tags: birth, hospital, japan, maternity leave, reflecting, the babe