And then the stork visited

The calendar had shortened in 2005. But August seemed to stretch into a year.

12 August, 2005. The Due date. No signs of labour. So many well wishers kept calling. I begged Navy to take the calls, Both sets of Appa and Amma came over. Eager to see the new addition to the family. The first grand kid for my parents , the first born of the son for Navy's.

The gynaec said, "Let us wait 3 days and then do another scan. There is enough fluid but the head seems to be getting rather large" So the wait continued. Maybe the baby wanted to time herself with India's Independence Day. That would be nice, I thought.

16 August, still no sight of kiddo. Both Appas went back home . The Ammas stayed on.
Went for a scan. Found the fluid depleted. The head was getting bigger. And the scan doc said" The cord is around her neck" Once we walked out, I checked with Navy if I had heard right. It was going to be girl!

"What a waste of a good pelvis", said my gynaec. " You can wait another day but the baby is not descending. Also even if I induce labour, one cannot predict how the delivery would go, given the knot. I would suggest that you go for a cesarean. But the choice is yours." I knew Navy's answer. Nothing that would endanger the baby . We called our folks and scheduled it for the afternoon.

My gynaec asked" Would you want to do it at a particular time, to predecide the baby's star!!?' We said no, ASAP will do.

So much for lamaaz, debating about epidural and deciding I would take one if need be. Went home, packed a few belongings, informed a few friends, some said " Oh so sad, you seemed so normal- we thought you will have a normal delivery" I felt like saying " Hey it is a very common thing. Not some by pass surgery ." I heard some others say " Chennai docs, they always want a c section. " Oh please. What do they have to gain?

You know my theory- I think Anush was always her Appa's girl- they had plotted so that Navy would not have to stand in through the labour( he was petrified by the idea- he cannot stand the sight of blood) Later I learnt that in the US there is a glass screen through which even a C section could be viewed by the hubby. Maybe next time, if there is one!

We went to the hospital. Argued with the insurance guys since there was a sealing on the coverage, which I would exceed this being a C-section. Did the needful paperwork myself. Imagine doing that whilst in labour. After the preliminaries, I went into the Op theatre at around 4.30 pm. The gynaec had said it would take about an hour max. The drama was about to unfold.

Both moms and Navy were waiting out. Six o'clock and still no news. Had there been any complication? Any mishap? The anaesthetist popped out and called for Navy. He told Navy that the baby girl had been delivered at 6.15 pm and was fine. Navy asked" How is the mother ?" and he replied" Do not ask me. That you will have to ask her doctor."

Navy reported the baby part to both the new grandmas and left out the other part. But there was tension writ large on his face. Another patient there asked Navy " You are upset because it is a girl?" Navy promptly denied it but the guy gave a smug look. The nurse came out with the baby and could not stop exclaiming how Anush looked so clear skinned for a new born- possibly the C section had been responsible?

Still no news about me . Navy took the moms into confidence. Just then the gynaec stepped out and said that all was fine and showed the umbilical cord which which was in a double true knot . Maybe Anush had the makings of gymnast .

I lost my cool with the inefficient nurses, had no water till the next morning, had a bad back long after and have a line like an earthworm running across my stomach. I also got into the lethargy of not exercising the first three months ( taboo post a c-section). Yes I did not experience the labour pains (that I wanted to) , but my joy at seeing my baby safe and sound, was good enough.

So mad momma, that was my story and c-section or not, having a baby is among the loveliest moments ever & possibly overwhelming as well. About doing it a second time- well that requires another post.