The Pregnancy Story

I guess it is high time I introduce our little joker to the blog world. She will be called Baby S. She is 4 months and 3 weeks now. Getting naughtier and playful as the day goes. It is all such a wonderful experience. I can't help thinking back at the happenings of 2008. That baby (we call it fountain) made sure we get baby S. We always feel fountain is taking care of his sister, whatever she does.

There is so much to write actually. I am not even sure where to begin. My pregnancy was filled with moments of absolute terror and anxiety as well as many moments of happiness and delight. It was all such a roller coaster of emotions. Let me just begin right away.

*What follows next is a very open account of what we went through with some graphic details. I am writing this because I hope it will help someone, somewhere. So, please bear with me.*

On 1st August 2009, I did a home pregnancy test. C had gone to his guitar class and I didn't know if I should call him right away. I decided to wait till he returned and announced it to him first. He was so excited and we repeated the test once or twice again! We also got a blood test done to confirm it. Then started the doctor visits. We had, by chance, taken a prior appointment with the doctor somewhere in the middle of Aug. Went and had the first scan. Things seemed normal.

By that time, we informed both set of parents. Everyone was very happy and at the same time apprehensive.

Week 12 - I had an attack of cold and cough with mild fever. It lasted for almost a week but fortunately the cough was not as bad as it was last time. It was also the season of Swine Flu! I was petrified at the thought of going anywhere near anyone who sneezed. Even the doctor visits during this time was very stressful. When a lady nearby coughed, I was hesitant to get up and walk away. Thought it might seem very rude. I casually turned my face the other way and simply covered my nose/mouth.

Week 14 - Past mid-night. I got up to use the loo and passed some clots and had some bleeding and spotting. I don't know how I didn't faint. I just called C. Cried and hugged him. We were just terror stricken. Didn't know what to do. Called the duty-doctor and she just asked me to lie down with my legs slightly elevated. We rushed to the doctor in the morning. They did a scan and said I had a low lying placenta and advised bed rest. They asked me to come 2 weeks later for a cervical cerclage.

Week 14 to Week 16 - I was just a bundle of nerves. I used to get up from bed only to use the loo. I didn't even have a proper bath those weeks.

Week 16 - I had the cerclage done.

Week 17 - I started having some foul smelling discharge. I was mentally so drained. We again rushed to the doctor. Again, there was a moment of absolute terror. The junior doctor who examined me, went to consult the senior doctor. When she returned, she abruptly asked me to 'go the labor ward!' I was aghast. Had something gone terribly wrong? I just leaned on my mother and tears started pouring down my face. I was so weak that I couldn't walk. C went to talk to the doctor and was relieved when all that they wanted to do was clean up the infection. After a day's stay at the hospital, we came home. From then on, I just took one day at a time. Was on complete bed rest.

C and my mother took absolute care of me. They even held a mug for me to brush my teeth and spit out. Had only sponge bath. Got up only to use the loo. I even had food on the bed. I was terrified to sleep. I was terrified to turn from one side to the other. I was terrified to lift a cup of water. I was JUST TERRIFIED. All that I did was to pray. Listen to devotional songs. Read books.

C did a wonderful thing by enrolling in a local library here. I was too scared to even read heavy stuff. I wanted something light and simple. He got me Enid Blyton's collection. Secret Seven, Famous Five, Five Find-Outers, The Adventure Series, The Naughtiest Girl series, The Malory Towers Series, The St.Claire's Series... It was such fun to read them. It might seem a funny thing for such a grown up person to read, but it really really helped me All these kept me occupied, peaceful and calm.

Week 24 to Week 28 - I was most scared during this period. I somehow wanted to cross week 28. I was told that chances of delivering and saving a baby was more once you cross this threshold. I just took one day at a time. Kept praying hard.

Week 32 - Consulted doctor and he was satisfied with the progress. Had the 'Seemandham and Valaikaapu function'.

Week 36 - Good progress and the doctor asked me start walking about. Was also allowed to sit on the floor, though I never did that. I never bent my knee for those 40 weeks!

My due date was March 30th. The doctor asked me to come on the 29th, Monday and get admitted. I never had any false labour pain. Spent that weekend as usual. Packed the bag and got ready on Monday. Visited the temple on our way to the hospital.

10 AM: Removed the cerclage. And ruptured the membranes.

12 PM: Started having slight pain and was asked to walk about.

3 PM: Intense pain and contractions

6.11 PM: Baby S arrived :-)

Usually people write a labour story. But for me, the journey through pregnancy was the most difficult part. Somehow, I really didn't feel the 'pain' of delivery. The baby and almighty made sure that for all the anxiety and mental tension that we underwent for those 9 months, I had a very smooth normal delivery.

It has been such a ride. So many emotions. So much of tension. So much of happiness. During all these times baby fountain was always in our thoughts. He still is.


There is one important thing that I must write about. And that is the constant support that I received from this person. Timepass, I shall never forget your help, your concern, your prayers. I take it as providence, that I got to know you. And nothing I do will ever repay what you gave me. But as a small gesture, when the priest asked for 3 names for the baby, for one of her names, we named Baby S after you :-)

I will write another post detailing what all precautions I took. The medications. Power of positive thinking. And so much more that helped me. Hoping this helps someone else, somewhere.