Tales of My First Delivery

I am proud of all my past students, but today one, Zaira (A.K.A. Rebecca Stockstill), is heavy on my mind. Not because she captured the prestigious 2006 Belly Dance championship title at Little Egypt’s, Ahlan Cairo Nights or that she was a formidable contestants for the Bellydancer of the Year, but because today she is experiencing a new dimension of life. So, though this will have nothing to do with Belly Dancing or Writing, I wish to share one of my craziest, most beautiful adventures.

Tales of My First Delivery, (Child, not papers)

Friday, eight weeks from my due date: My doctor put me on bed rest. Being the disobedient person I am, I didn’t do as the doctor advised, except of course letting my employer know my doctor would not allow me to work. That part I liked. Sunday, I had my baby shower. Monday, I cleaned house. Tuesday, I worked on the baby room. Wednesday, I went grocery shopping for two hours then spent the afternoon preparing stew, spaghetti sauce, chili etc. that could be frozen for meals while I was forced into bed, that is if I ever made it there. That night before going to bed I watched a movie about three women, who all had premature babies. How ironic!

Thursday, 6:00 am - I woke, totally embarrassed. At twenty-nine years old, I had wet the bed. I had a vivid dream that I was on the toilet. Yes, often my dreams are very realistic. But anyway, the bed was soaked. After making my apology to Guy, (Okay, even his name was boring, but that’s another story), I went to the real bathroom. He was cleaning up the bed when I called him a bit concerned. I couldn’t stop peeing. It was such a strange sensation. It just kept coming. I began to think, maybe the baby had ripped my bladder wall or something. I had Guy call the doctor and they advised us to come to the hospital.

7:30 am - We arrived at the hospital. Since we had just started the birthing classes, we hadn’t yet had the tour. Needless to say, we entered through the front door instead of using the emergency entrance, which of course was at the opposite end of the building. The hospital was undergoing massive construction, so we were detoured again and again. I was still leaking. Let me tell you, it is difficult to maneuver over and around construction while your trying to hold a towel between your legs. Guy and I were quite tickled by the time we got to the emergency entrance.

8:15 am - We were anxiously met by my mother and sister when we departed the elevator on the maternity floor. They had been waiting for us for over an hour, but I had to pack and waddle from the front door. That takes time. After my examination, it was confirmed, my water had broke and I was in labor. I was a little concerned. The baby was 7 weeks early, I had hardly started my child birth classes and I had not finished training my replacement at work.

8:30 am - I was moved into a labor room. I called work to advise them of my situation. The poor dude that was replacing me, was in a state of panic. He called me eight times for assistance.

12:00 pm - I started finally have labor pains so I told my replacement he was on his own until all this was over. I had already decided to have natural childbirth. At least as much as I could. I don’t like taking medicine. Most effect me pretty strong. Good thing I had already composed myself to the idea, since I was informed the baby was at risk, so I would not be given any drugs. (Yikes!)

4:00 pm - I was ready to go to delivery. They had started an IV. I was feeling surprisingly well, except of course when I had a contraction. My real labor had lasted less than 4 hours, so I was not exhausted like so many women. Luckily, I have a high tolerance for pain.


As I was being wheeled into delivery, my IV line hung on the door handle and was yanked from my hand. Sounds bad I know, but I had a contraction at the same time, so I didn’t even feel the IV tug. As one nurse restarted an IV line in my left hand and another was taping up the right, the doctor informs me it was time to push. I wasted my first productive contraction by laughing as I replied, “You’ll have to wait. I’m busy getting a manicure.” Everyone laughed with me.

The next contraction was building. The doctor told me we needed to make this a good push. She told Guy to raise my shoulders, to help me push more effectively. He was so intent on watching for the birth, he lifted from the back of my head instead, almost breaking my neck. Again we all had a good laugh and another contraction was wasted.

On the next one, I gave a might push before anything else could happen. The baby crowned. The doctor informed us, “You’ve got a redhead.”

The combination of a small baby, as well as strong abdominal muscles, helps greatly during the pushing process. Yes, I swear by the effectiveness of Belly Dance as an excellent exercise form to prepare for childbirth.

4:18 pm - With the next push the shoulders emerged. One last push and we had a beautiful baby boy. Even though he was 7 weeks early, he was perfectly formed, except for the lack of eyelashes and eyebrows, (they came in the next week) I was quite pleased. After only 4 hours of labor, 18 minutes of delivery and 3 effective pushes, we had a gorgeous baby. It was way easier than all the stories other women had told me.

WARNING: No one ever mentioned to me what happens to you while everyone in the room is excitedly oohing and aahing over the beautiful baby as he is cleaned and examined. You’re left alone on the gurney to watch from a distance. Though you’re in ecstasy about your new child, a fear for your own life begins. Your body begins to shake uncontrollably, you’re sure you will be vibrated to the floor. After you’re finally able to get the attention of a nurse, you ask if indeed this is normal? She pats you consolingly on the arm and disappears without a word. After several moments she returns with a heated blanket and you are in heaven again. It seems blood loss will do that to ya! I’d be nice to have know that in advance…

Anyway, best of luck to Rebecca and all other future Mommies out there!

Let me know if any of you had an easier, more entertaining delivery?