Cultural Differences-the birth of Emily

Emily Grace is here! She was born on the 23rd of October at 11:10 am. She is 7 lbs 13 oz and 56 cm long! She is healthy and a very content baby girl!

I have had a lot of people ask me what the differences were in delivering here vs. the US. Well I will tell you our delivery story and you can see for yourself.

The contractions started at 4:30 am. I was awakened by the first contraction and knew by the horse kick in the belly that this was the day! So I went back to sleep and slept between contractions until they were about 15 minutes apart. We then got up around 7 am to get ready to go to the hospital. By the time we left for the hospital at 8 am the contractions were 5 minutes apart. It is a 40 minute drive to the hospital. We passed 3 tractors on the way. We even parked the car and walked instead of having Ludie drop me off at the door so that my contractions would keep on. I did not want them to stop and have to go back home.

In Ireland they give you a card that tracks your doctor (general practitioner) and hospital visit summary. We went to the labor ward, told them I was having contractions 3-5 minutes apart (which were getting pretty painful by then), and told them of my history of fast labors with the previous 2 children, and gave them my card that had my info and medical record information. The hospital and doctors keep everything on a computer system where they can look up each other's notes, test results etc very easily. A system I have been very impressed with. They hooked me up to the monitors to check the baby's heartbeat and monitor the contractions. Then checked me and I was 5 cm dilated. (My first pelvic exam of the entire pregnancy). They told me I could walk the halls if I wanted to. I thought we were gone for longer but Ludie says it was only 15-20 minutes at the most that we walked the halls. When we came back I was 9 cm. Ludie was joking with me at 10:45 am asking me when I thought we would have the baby by. I said 11:15 am. He said 10:47 am. Then a HARD contraction came that made me yell out. The midwife quickly got out all the supplies needed. She just sat down at the end of the bed like she was my best friend and we talked for a bit between contractions. She told me when I was at 10 cm and then said it was time to push.I think in about 3 contractions Emily was born. Thank God because those 3 were not fun. They had gas and air hooked up for me to breathe in if I wanted pain relief. I did that about 3 times but it just made me feel funny and did not help so much with pain. They do offer epidurals and other pain relief options but I would just rather get it over with without dealing with the drug side effects.

I really loved the nurse midwife. It was calming to have her there and she was so sweet and calm. I told her if I am in any other country that if I ever were pregnant again I would come back to Ireland to have the baby. When Emily was born they wiped her off quickly and handed her to me to hold skin to skin. That was the first time that has happened. Usually they hand the baby to you but you have clothes between you or the baby is wrapped in a cloth. I was able to hold Emily and put the sheet over her and she did not cry one second once I held her and just got to hold her for about 20 minutes. Then they took her to weigh her while I got sutures. That was just so amazing!!!!

After some sutures from a doctor that talked too much, they put me in a wheel chair and took me to my room. There were 3 beds. One was filled with a lady that had been in labor since 10 pm the night before. I got in bed. The babies get to stay in the room with us, and husbands can stay during visiting hours unless you are in labor. They bring you tea and toast (pot of tea, toast with butter and jam, and yogurt) after you deliver. Ludie went to the local convenient store and got us some cajun chicken sandwich baguettes (it is like a little subway at the convenient stores where you can get sandwiches). So he came back with that. I ate half and saved the rest for the middle of the night.

Ludie brought the kids and my parents up to visit that night.They got there at 8pm. I did not see a nurse but once since I left labor and delivery. She stopped by to ask if I needed pain medication or not. I guess since I did not then there wasn't really anything else that was needed. They come if you need help and call them with the nurse button, but other than that, you just rest and enjoy your baby. They don't even check on the baby. If you think the baby needs anything or have a question you just ask, but other than that you are left to rest! The bathroom was across the hall and you just wheel the baby with you in their little cart to the restroom that has a bath (some have showers). Still the baby has not been bathed. That is not done until the next day so that the baby is not chilled and also is able to absorb some of the vernix (to protect it's skin). Something I was glad I knew before then.

I don't think my nurse call button worked so I walked down the hall to ask if I could be released the next day and they said yes as long as the pediatrician approved Emily to go home. So I ate dinner. Got to visit with the kids and my parents and then slept in 15 minute intervals the rest of the night. My poor roommate was in labor and Emily would not sleep in the crib so I held her and dozed. I am sure we were both a little more alert because of the tea that was brought with supper and at 10pm they brought tea and cake. Each pot of tea makes 3 cups of tea. I came home addicted to tea and toast with butter and jam. I love it and still crave it!

I went down the hall around 11 pm and got some Paracetamol (like Tylenol)from the nurses and they gave me another dose to take with me to take during the middle of the night. Then in the morning they brought breakfast. I then asked if a nurse could help me give Emily a bath and they did. The pediatrician came by to check Ruthie. And they said that if I felt I needed to see an OB I could but otherwise I was released to go when I wanted. I said no that I was fine. Ludie came and picked me up and brought the best Papa John's pizza I ever had. We ate it packed the bags. Turned in a form to register the birth. Got the baby's security tag deactivated and removed and went home!!!! No sign your life away in blood, waiting 5 hours to be released, just go walk out of the hospital and go home! Wow how different, but I really liked that part!

I did have to go to the doctor Sunday because of a lump in my leg that I was scared might be a blood clot. It was not. The doctor did not charge us for coming in. She checked it and it seems that it is just an inflammation of one of my varicose veins. Thank God! So we were able to stay home and not have to go back into the hospital on Griffin's 7th birthday! I am so thankful!

Today, a home health nurse came by to check on Emily and myself. It is so nice not to have to go to the doctor's office with all the sick people coming in too, and wait to see a doctor. She just came to the house and examined the two of us and did the heal prick genetic blood test on Emily. I love that aspect too. She will be back in a couple days.

I loved my experience but was thankful I was prepared by one of my American friends that just went through the experience herself. If I had not known what to expect I would have been on edge but was rather able to enjoy it.

May I also say that God's timing was just awesome! My parents arrived Thursday morning and I went into labor Friday morning. It was such a blessing to have them here to look after the kids knowing that they came for that reason. I could relax knowing that. They have been such a blessing along with Ludie taking care of the kids, doing the laundry and working to get it dry despite the rain. Ludie has been working around the house like crazy and has been just a strength through all this. I was able to come home the next day and on Sunday celebrate Griffin's birthday with him.

One thing that was very different for me through this was the antenatal care. You rotate your doc appts between the GP (general practitioner) and the hospital where you go to see the OB. I love the GP appts because they are close by and quick and usually more thorough. When you visit the hospital it is on a designated day for the antenatal clinic where you and 70 other women are all seen within a 4 hour period. You wait for 45 minutes to an hour. They call you in groups of 5 to go and sit in a hall. Then you get called in 1 by 1 to get your blood pressure and weight checked, and turn in your urine specimen. Then you go back out to the waiting room. Wait 45 minutes to another hour and then go in to see the OB. They ask you some questions. Do an ultrasound showing you the heartbeat. Then the visit is over with. So all in all between the waiting and the driving there and back you are gone about 5 hours so it really turns into an all day thing almost when you consider the work day and the time it takes for Ludie to get into work. That was an adjustment. But I have to say I am VERY thankful for the free care and good care I received. If it weren't for God using Pat (a midwife) to intervene and have my blood tested to find out I needed hormone replacement in the beginning, we would not likely be holding precious Emily today! I am so grateful to God for the pro-activeness of the Dr. Monahan, his staff and the midwives.

I am so thankful for the prayers of those that prayed for us during this time of cultural adjustment in moving to a new country and the pregnancy. There were many times I wondered how I could make it through this and the honest answer is I cannot and could not. It is only by the grace of God that we are here and so blessed today. I have learned to trust God in this. I have learned a lot about myself and where I need to be more cooperative with God in areas in my life (repent and trust Him). And there are just qualities about God that He has revealed through all of this. He has been faithful. He had held me together and carried me. He has surrounded me with people here and abroad that He has used to work in my life to grow and mature me and to intercede. I praise Him and give Him all the glory. Glory that only He deserves. And I thank Him for this perfect little precious gift that I never imagined I would be able to have. What a miracle our children are! Thank you God! Pictures coming soon.