So mom started having "cramps" on Sunday the 21st but nothing painful or no symptoms that would lead us to believe Michael will be born soon. The first baby generally takes a lot longer to arrive after symptoms. My first thought was that he better not come on the 22nd, 25th 31st or 1st. Our doctors appointment on Mon the 22nd confirmed that it is close but perhaps still a week or two. Christmas saw us having the usual due at our place with family. By now the cramps had intensified but still no symptoms to lead us to believe the little dude wants to come out. Our last guests left at around 10:00 that night by which time Chantal was "quite uncomfortable" with these cramps. A phone call to the doctor confirmed that she probably had a bit of a bladder infection but he asked us to monitor these until the morning at which time he would examine her if the cramps had not subsided. I battled to fall asleep that night as I was doing my utmost to help her get through these cramps but eventually fell asleep at around 12:30. She woke me up at 02:00 and asked me to take her through to Lynmed hospital as this is where we decided we would give birth to our son (we stay in Kemptonpark but did not feel comfortable going to Arwyp Hospital). Luckily I had packed all her and Michael's bags the previous weekend. She was examined and once again were made to believe that the cramps were as a result of her urinary tract infection??????? She was admitted and put on a drip which thankfully saw her sleeping from around 03:00. I came home and once again battled to sleep but finally fell asleep at around 04:00. I then woke up at about 05:00 and quickly cleaned house after the previous day's affair like only a bachelor can. I was back at Lynmed by 06:00 and literally walked in as she woke up. Further tests confirmed that these "cramps" were roughly 5 min apart but she was NOT in labour. At about 09:00 the one nurse did acknowledge that these cramps were in fact contractions. Her Doctor finally saw her at around 11:30 but was adamant that she was not in full blown labour. I agree with this but to wait for what could possible be a day or two for her to go into labour did not seem viable to me as she was in a lot of pain at this stage. Both myself and the nurse then "convinced" the doctor do a C section as one of their concerns was the size of the child. He proceeded to try and get hold of an anaesthetist that could perform the operation as it was the 26th and they were all on holiday. He informed me at about 12:00 that we will go into theatre at 15:00. I had prepared the last 9 months for this moment but still felt a bit "unprepared". 14:50 I was told the OR was still in use and we would now only go in at 18:00. This made my heart sink as Chantal's contractions had intensified but not to the point where she was "in labour". The nurse came to me at 15:55 and informed me that we are going in NOW. We went in with one or two more incidents that I don't care to discuss but the moment had finally arrived. Mickey was finally removed from mommy's womb to face the cold and uncertain real world. I experienced a different kind of joy when I heard what was so obvious a cry from the top of his little voice but seemed "kind of soft"
He was out and my priorities, unbeknownst to me, were starting to change.There was now this tiny little dude that we were responsible for??? I saw responses from both family members and myself that I never thought I would ever see or experience.
He is now one day old and the full effect has only hit me now. He is truly the sweetest little thing I have ever seen. He weighed 3.64kg at birth and is very healthy. Some pic's I hear you say.......
I introduce to you, Michael John Buys,
A proud but tired smile from me,
Mom and son. Not at her best and in a lot of pain but still with enough energy left in her to muster up a smile.
....and today, little Mickey in a more peaceful manner. The tortoise makes it easy to keep tabs on his breathing as the head moves and to the left, well, I don't have to explain that one.
Both mom and baby are in excellent health and should be released from hospital by the 29th. He already has his first Brown House Snake on the way and I intend on registering him as a member on the THA in 2009. He also received as a Xmas prezzie from an aunt the book
My first book of Southern African Snakes and other reptiles by Bill Branch.
I write this post with love in my heart for my new family member but also extremely tired. Thank you for allowing me to share with you the joy I know so many of you have already experienced.
Regards,
Elfie, Chantal and Michael
I like candlelight dinners, romantic walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick.