My beautiful son Rauf was born on 31st January 2017

He arrived 2 weeks earlier than expected and it all started with a night in with my mama, watching The Crown (oh my god the show is SO GOOD btw) on the telly when I started feeling funny. Joe was out playing golf, so when the pain didn’t go away after 3+ something hours and after complaining countless of times to my mom, we decided to go for a CTG scan at the hospital.

Phoebe was at the gate when we were about to leave the house, so I told her I would be right back to give her food – I came back alright, 4 days later. Poor Phoebe. Ok, back to labour story.

The doctor wanted to keep me for the night for observation because the scan showed I had mild contractions. More CTG scans were performed throughout the night, but I didn’t think anything significant would show up.

But something did – the scans showed that I was in early labour, and baby’s heartbeat took a few dips so you can imagine my shock when my gynae said he had to break my water and I had to deliver that day. THAT DAY. From that moment I realised I was going to give birth soon, that was the moment I realised I was only hours away from meeting my son. I had time to take a shower, my mom and dad arrived. I could tell they were worried, I mean, who would’nt be when their kid is having a kid, must have been surreal for them.

Within an hour after my Dr broke my water, I walked into the labour room and didn’t leave until 7 hours later. They had to induce me and a couple of hours with the labour contractions, the anaesthesiologist came in to give me the ‘magic juice’ – the Epidural.

Given that I was induced, my contractions became more and more frequent and higher but thanks to the juice, I didn’t feel the pain, just pressure. So around 4.15, when I was fully dilated, my gynae stepped in, I knew it was time.

Suddenly I felt like I couldn’t do it, so many thoughts running through my head. The baby cot wasn’t ready, the bedsheets were not laid out, I hadn’t sterilised any bottles, Phoebe still hadn’t eaten and what if I don’t push hard enough. I started having regrets like not reading the Al-Quran enough when I was pregnant, maybe I should have taken more supplements and that I should have walked and swam more when I could.

Dr was all geared up, midwives were advising me how to push, Joe was by my side being the best cheerleader anyone can ever ask for.

So when I was told to push, I just did my best, gave my all and hope it was enough. 10 minutes of pushing and baby’s heartbeat was dropping, for some reason the vacuum was needed to deliver him, so after my final push, I felt my stomach fall flat and this warm thing was put on me. It was my son, and the moment I felt his warm body on top of mine, I just lost it. My ‘macho’ husband, who said he doubt he’ll cry during labour, bawled his eyes out like a baby.

Haha, should have placed a bet.

Anyway, they took him away, cleaned him up while my Dr was busy saving my hooha. I didn’t feel any pain but I knew things were working down there. Baby came back for skin-to-skin contact and I couldn’t help but realise how much hair he had! So lebat! 

After everything was done, my parents and in-laws came in to say their hellos. My mom and dad kissed me on the forehead and I felt like sobbing all over again. Drugs and hormones guys, drugs and hormones.

I had to wait a while before I was brought into my room. That night itself was chaotic, so many of my family members and friends came to visit, I felt so overwhelmed with love and support, didn’t feel that exhausted but of course this changed when everyone left and my son wouldn’t stop crying because he was still getting used to his new world.

So, that’s my labour story. 7 hours of contractions, 10 minutes of pushing, an awesome dosage of epidural, million gallons of love and alast, a healthy, beautiful baby boy.

Rauf, you’re more magical than I ever imagined. I know we’re going to be best friends. Welcome to the world, my sweet son. I love you. We love you.