Unmedicated Birth During Covid

Picture by jcofilms

, at Rosewood Baha Mar

I looked at Rikin with tired eyes filled with tears. He looked at the baby and then back in my eyes. His eyes filling up with tears. I’m still looking at him. He glances towards my waist and back at my face. Not a single word out of his masked mouth. Meanwhile, I’ve kept strong for 41 weeks. I needed to know the baby’s gender. Did we have a boy or a girl?

The midwife said, “Go on Dad, tell Mum”.

“It’s a boy” he said. His voice breaking and heart filled with feelings only he can describe - a moment that shan’t be forgotten.

Let recap up to this point.

Due Date

To say that I was eager to meet our baby is undeniable but to say I was over the pregnancy - facts. Everyone told me I was going to to be late, as first time mums usually are. I wanted them all to be wrong. Spoiler - they were so right. I would look in the mirror every morning and send out snaps to my mummy girls, “Is this considered low? Has the baby dropped?” Even the day before I went into labour I got a “Nope, belly still looks high”.

From 37 weeks, I tried everything to evict this baby. Teas, pineapple, walks on the treadmill, got my Prenatal Masseuse to push those pressure points, spicy food and yes we even got intimate (all whilst feeling like a whale). This brings us up to my 40+ weeks appointment where the OB suggests I think about scheduling an induction. I even had them carry out a membrane sweep. I had now been dilated for 1cm for 3 weeks. I asked the OB if I was medically okay to wait a little longer. The rational side of me knew the baby would come out with due time but a 40+ week pregnant lady’s rational cannot always be trusted! At this point I had two options left. Either take castor oil or attempt nipple stimulation via a breast pump. Let’s be honest. I didn’t want to risk taking castor oil, no thank you! Medela pump, could you be my guardian angel? You’re certainly my last resort. Stimulation completed on Saturday night. Contractions started at Sunday 2am. Hallelujah!

Labour

FYI - I had no idea these were contractions. They almost felt like period pains which I assume were Braxton Hicks. That’s where my doula comes in. Between the hours of 0300 -0500, she walked me through my steps. Honestly, this seemed doable. I understand pain is relative and everyones threshold is on a broad spectrum but it literally felt like a rise in cramps which resulted in me stopping, crunching forwards and then back to normal. I had a Kourtney Kardashian moment, I know you all know what I’m referring to. Her first labour. She was so calm, got ready, even shaved and then epically pulled Mason out herself. Just to be clear, this was not my end goal. However, I did hop into the shower at 03:45, started washing my hair only for the hot water to run out. Seriously, WHAT?! Jumped out, turned the fire place on and stayed wrapped up until our doula called telling me I needed to make my way to the hospital. I then went on to dry my hair, straighten my hair, do my skincare routine and splash some make-up on. I was planning on having breakfast but the contractions were now three mins apart. I could see the panic in hubby’s face. Now that I reflect back, he couldn’t have been that panicked as he dropped me off at the hospital doors and went to get us McDonalds at 05:30. I see some of you judging us right now but if you’re from England, McDonalds is a staple meal, especially after a night out. I had an overly loving relationship with Filet ‘o’ Fish during my pregnancy.

06:00 - got admitted to the hospital all whilst only 4cm dilated, contractions 2.5 minutes apart. Ever been told your labour is mimicked by how your mother had hers? Well I had, in fact I had heard that way too many times which didn’t necessarily bother me cause Mummy Patel got to the hospital and had me within 2 hours. Rikin wanted me to gobble some food down to which I answered “Baby is coming within a couple of hours, I’ll just eat at lunch”. Fake news - baby came 12 hours after being admitted!!

Between the hours of 0600- 1030 we pretty much got settled in and the contractions really started to heighten. I chose to delivery via a midwife. I wanted a holistic approach with minimum medical interventions unless deemed necessary. I cannot thank Erica at Lehigh Valley Hospital enough. I experienced back labour, where it felt like contractions start at the abdominal region and spike up your back - far from delightful! I wasn’t dilating any more than what I had come in with. I contemplated getting the epidural and the anesthesiologist sold it to me when she said it would help make labour shorter by allowing my body to relax and dilate quicker. This seemed like my golden ticket. I discussed this with Erika who reminded me of my original birth plan and guided me into the shower where the hot water felt amazing on my back. Well there goes my straight hair and make up. She helped me focus on my breathes with each contraction but more importantly, she taught Rikin the pressure points on my back which provided me with such relief, allowing me to peacefully ride out the waves.

Half of the day goes by and by now I had a list of interventions that helped at different parts, heating pads, another shower or two, bouncing on the exercise ball, trying the peanut ball and getting on all fours and many other positions. Before I knew it, I had the urge to push and there he was. At 7.2lbs, 19.5 inches long, brown eyes and a head full of hair. 12 hours of labour and everything forgotten the moment he entered my world.

Many have asked how it felt to give birth during Covid-19, my answer “No different”. You see, the thing is I know no different. Wearing a mask throughout was a little tedious at times but everything else was just fine. While it would have been nice to have our doula there, this impeccable moment was between man and wife, just the beginning of our parenting.

Whilst I am so thankful for other parents who shared their knowledge and experiences with us. My one advice to parents would be, be honest but while sharing something that has a negative connotation, consciously end on a positive note. It’s already overwhelming for any parent so just continue encouraging them to birth or parent how they would like to. We are all here just trying to do our best.

Shine your light a little brighter. x