arrival of Charles
This is a copy of the comment I put in Rachel's journal. I may add to it later.
Many congratulations to Rachel, Tony and, of course, Charles! Super photographs (although I have a slightly shaky one on my phone taken even earlier when they first arrived in the recovery room)
I'm ecstatic at the arrival of my first grandchild and delighted to have been an active helper at the birth. We all thought he would be a big baby but the C-section was very unexpected. Oddly enough,Rachel and I had talked about a hospital delivery sometime Thursday evening and she made sure I read her birth plan and knew her wishes.
As the one in the delivery room, my main role was to support Rachel and, if necessary, convey her wishes to the theatre staff. Once the spinal anaesthetic kicked in, her face relaxed for the first time in many hours. Now the pain had gone, she was well able to speak for herself!
The theatre staff were all very supportive and made absolutely sure that Rachel knew what they were doing and why. They exuded calmness and confidence. After the internal examination, they explained that there was no possibility of an instruments delivery and that they would need to move to a caesarian. I sat close to Rachel, held her hand and chatted with her and the anaesthetist as they got things ready.
They erected a small screen to shield the lower half of Rachel's body from her direct view. I could easily see what they were doing if I stood up. The staff saw that I wasn't in the least squeamish and was not going to scream or faint and let me watch.
Rachel said she didn't want a running commentary!
The staff worked so fast! One moment they were putting a line on Rachel's belly, the next there was an incision then I saw Charles' head emerge, followed, naturally enough, by his whole body within seconds. Then the sequence I remembered from the birth of my own children: this blueish underwater creature goes first purple then pink and instantly turns into a human being.
I was invited to cut the cord and did so.
As soon as Charles was cleaned up and checked over, they wrapped him up and gave him to me to hold. This was wonderful, to welcome him into the family. He was a little fretful (not surprising after his recent experiences) but responded well to being cuddled. He blinked a bit and I could see his blue eyes.
I brought him close to Rachel so she could see him too. I managed to slip one of his tiny hands out of the covers and she held it. She looked so marvellously happy and said something about this made it all worth while.
After he was weighed, the staff took Charles for Tony to hold. By then the surgery was almost over: two people, one stitching from either side, closing up the incisions. It was so skilful.
It was a great experience. It was a real privilege to be there.
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Many congratulations to Rachel, Tony and, of course, Charles! Super photographs (although I have a slightly shaky one on my phone taken even earlier when they first arrived in the recovery room)
I'm ecstatic at the arrival of my first grandchild and delighted to have been an active helper at the birth. We all thought he would be a big baby but the C-section was very unexpected. Oddly enough,Rachel and I had talked about a hospital delivery sometime Thursday evening and she made sure I read her birth plan and knew her wishes.
As the one in the delivery room, my main role was to support Rachel and, if necessary, convey her wishes to the theatre staff. Once the spinal anaesthetic kicked in, her face relaxed for the first time in many hours. Now the pain had gone, she was well able to speak for herself!
The theatre staff were all very supportive and made absolutely sure that Rachel knew what they were doing and why. They exuded calmness and confidence. After the internal examination, they explained that there was no possibility of an instruments delivery and that they would need to move to a caesarian. I sat close to Rachel, held her hand and chatted with her and the anaesthetist as they got things ready.
They erected a small screen to shield the lower half of Rachel's body from her direct view. I could easily see what they were doing if I stood up. The staff saw that I wasn't in the least squeamish and was not going to scream or faint and let me watch.
Rachel said she didn't want a running commentary!
The staff worked so fast! One moment they were putting a line on Rachel's belly, the next there was an incision then I saw Charles' head emerge, followed, naturally enough, by his whole body within seconds. Then the sequence I remembered from the birth of my own children: this blueish underwater creature goes first purple then pink and instantly turns into a human being.
I was invited to cut the cord and did so.
As soon as Charles was cleaned up and checked over, they wrapped him up and gave him to me to hold. This was wonderful, to welcome him into the family. He was a little fretful (not surprising after his recent experiences) but responded well to being cuddled. He blinked a bit and I could see his blue eyes.
I brought him close to Rachel so she could see him too. I managed to slip one of his tiny hands out of the covers and she held it. She looked so marvellously happy and said something about this made it all worth while.
After he was weighed, the staff took Charles for Tony to hold. By then the surgery was almost over: two people, one stitching from either side, closing up the incisions. It was so skilful.
It was a great experience. It was a real privilege to be there.
(Reply to this)
> Go to Top
LiveJournal.com