Bump

Each month, we’ll bring you one woman’s very special story of the day her baby was born.

This month, Mimie Singh of Highett, Vic tells the story of her son, Aryan’s ‘awesome’ birth

I decided to go on maternity leave four weeks prior to the birth of my first baby. My parents had visited me from India earlier in the year, this being their first trip to me since I had moved to Australia six years ago. So only my mother was able to come back to help me settle in with the baby. I was 38 weeks pregnant and Mum and I were in the throes of planning the colour scheme of the nursery when I started to feel uncomfortable. I hadn't slept very well the night before but blamed it on my advanced state of pregnancy. By morning I felt like I was going to get my periods (an uncomfortable ache in the pit of my stomach).

I mentioned the same to Ma, who immediately diagnosed I was in labour. Having read lots of books and attended birth classes, I thought it was false labour/Braxton Hicks contractions only and decided not to pay any attention to it.

My pregnancy had gone fairly well and I had stayed fit by walking and being active throughout. I've always had a bad back and to combat any soreness, I even attended aqua-natal classes and loved it. It made me feel great! I loved all the attention showered on me by my friends (five other girlfriends of mine had fallen pregnant after me so I was their benchmark!!)

The only part of the entire pregnancy that really worried me was the birthing stories. I just didn't think I could handle it. I kept myself informed about all the painkillers, their pros and cons and what I could use when. By now I was thoroughly prepared for an 'epidural' no matter what(I had heard this was the best plan).

I was so sure that I wasn’t in labour I decided to take the dog for a walk and even managed to waddle faster than usual in the park. I kept telling Mum that since the nursery wasn't ready, the baby couldn't be...

I was feeling quite restless and then decided to take Mum for a drive around the area. After an hour or two, I was quite tired and my stomach had started to cramp. When my husband V.V came home, I mentioned what was happening and we both decided after reading yet another pregnancy book that it was probably nothing (all this time my mother looked more and more worried).

I rang the hospital at 8pm as by this time, the cramps were five minutes apart (I had decided to start timing just in case) and after asking me a few questions, the midwife on duty thought I sounded too calm to be in labour and that if I came in it might be a while before I had a baby. The reason I felt calm was because I was expecting pain that felt like someone had cut off your arm/leg (from friends who had had babies previously - never listen to them).

At 10 pm, I noticed a bit of blood and decided to go to the hospital to make sure the baby was alright…still not suspecting I was in labour. A couple of my close friends had heard we were going to the hospital and decided to come along for the ride. We reached Frances Perry House (my hospital) in Melbourne at midnight.

By this time the cramps were quite strong and only 2-3 minutes apart. I reached the labour ward and was taken to the room immediately. The midwife wrapped a belt around me to monitor the foetal heartbeat, at the same time checking to see how dilated I was. By this time the pain was quite unbearable and we finally agreed I must be in labour.

The midwife confirmed it by saying I was eight centimetres dilated and that she was calling my doctor right away. I got nervous at the thought of being in labour and wanted to know where my epidural was but apparently I was too far gone. My mother heard I was in labour and decided to stand outside with my friends as she couldn’t bear to see me in pain.

My doctor arrived and I was ready to push (at least that’s what he told me). I kept asking him why he couldn’t just pull it out himself. With lots of encouragement from V.V (whose hand I nearly broke), the midwife and doctor, my baby boy was born at 2:03 am on 6th September 2007. I was shaking in shock, excitement, wonder and joy to hold my red, wailing, 3.1 kg son.

My birth story was relayed to all my pregnant friends to give them hope and reduce their anxiety. Contrary to my absolute fear, it was an awesome experience that I wouldn't mind reliving.

The hospital had a deal with my health provider which put my husband, me and baby Aryan up at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for two nights along with a nurse on call 24 hours. Also, my father couldn't stay away from his first grandchild and decided to surprise us with a three-week visit while we were in the hospital. It was a fantastic reunion!