My First Childbirth Experience

There is something very special about childbirth, other than the fact that you are helping to bring another living, breathing life into the world. No, it is special because, while there are so many people around you that have been through it, no two are the same.

I, myself have had three children and can attest to this fact. None of my three childbirth experiences were the same. It is also important to note than none of the previous births really prepare you for the next because it will be a totally different experience.

When I had my first child, it was really quite strange. I had never spent one single night in a hospital before, other than being born myself. I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Matters were not helped by the facts that the baby decided to come a month early, my sister, who wanted to be present for the birth, had just got married the day before and left for Niagara Falls, my doctor had taken a week's vacation to the beach and left my records at the hospital, just in case of emergency.

So I give in to my mom and husband and go to the hospital against my will at around 12:00 AM after being in pain for a few hours, only to be poked and stuck and all this "stuff" and I am still protesting the whole event. I demand a recount. There was no way I was "really" in labor. It was too soon, the doctor was away, and I had not finished reading the how to guide.

No matter, hour after hour pasted with this nut of a nurse telling me lie after lie.....oh we will have a baby by 1o'clock, oh it will come by 3 o'clock, 6, 8, 10, all the while I am demanding that she call this so called "fill-in" doctor, that as it would happen lived the next city over. Finally she decides something isn't right and calls the doctor.

At 11:00 am "she" the fill-in doctor of whom I had never met arrives. With a quick check and an x-ray, it's confirmed; my baby is in the breech position. Well, I knew what it was because my mother had given birth to my sister that way and all I could remember was the terrible scars she had on her back from the forceps. I was unsure what was happening and it was all happening so fast. I was in the worst pain of my life and really just couldn't understand anything.

It was decided I would have an emergency C-Section to deliver the baby. The doctor said it was the safest way to proceed because I had been in labor so long she was afraid the baby would get in distress and there could be lots of complications. You will remember I had never been in a hospital before, now I was fixing to undergo major surgery, and I was so worried about the baby.

After an injection, I was positioned on the operating table and she drew a line across my belly, kind of "X" marks the spot I guess. Then a partition was put up so I could not see anything but I could see a reflection in the silver dome on the light. I remember seeing them get the baby. He didn't cry right away, but within a few seconds he did.

My arms were spread out airplane style with all kinds of monitors and wires so I could not hold him but they did bring him and place him on my chest. Cute as a button, little bundle of joy, but I warned him not to try to do anything else in this world backwards.