Evie's story

Well, there isn't much to tell aside from the fact that it was a perfectly planned birth and recovery. Long before this little precious one arrived I had an army of people praying for me, the baby, my little family and the birth. The ladies from my Tuesday Mother's group, my friends, my family, my Sunday school class, women in my playgroup. Because I had bled so badly with Tilly my main concern was how would I cope if that happened again. And then there was getting to the hospital on time and how would I do that if Steve was away at work. And what would happen to Tills if mum and dad hadn't arrived yet and she decided to come. Well, she did and Steve was away at work and something had to be organised for Tilly. On Friday morning I woke up and felt that my waters had broken a little bit and I had had a show. I wasn't too worried about it, as it was still early and I had read that this can happen, but nothing else might happen for another week or even two. I wasn't in any pain, nothing else happened. Steve fretted and fussed and I chuffed him off to work. So I told my friends, I messaged my mum. And everyone seemed to think I should be off to the clinic. Paula arrived at 11 to take Tilly (I'm so excited mum, she tells me - about going out with her mates....) So Tills went with her port packed and head full of the cool things she was going to do with her friends that day. When Paula was at work that afternoon she stayed with Kristie. Meanwhile I lounged at home wondering what all the fuss was about. At 3pm I decided maybe I should go to the hospital and have it checked out. Before the onslaught of the Taipei City traffic hit its peek. A nice leisurely drive to the clinic got me there at 4. Taken by a lovely nurse to a room and hooked up to a monitor to check if I was having contractions. Nothing.... ( I could have told them that) mmm what to do??? Taken to the delivery room, large tub, bed, sofa, TV, Fridge and bathroom - all rather nice. Warm water in the bath. 4:30 - "Do you think I've come to early? This room isn't cheap you know...." "It's ok, you'll have her today." 4:35 - bang. Here come the contractions. Indeed I did have her, four hours later. Daddy made it with 45 minutes to go - men always get out of it easily..... She was lifted to me, Daddy cut the cord. I got out of the tub, the Doctor did his thing, the whole while Evie was left with me on my chest, still all gooey and slimy! Then everyone just quietly slipped away and left us to bond with Evie. About an hour later I asked Steve to have them come wash her and weigh her and measure, that sort of thing. Within about ten minutes she was back in my arms. Weighing 2700grams and 47cms long apparently. Every finite detail was so perfectly planned. There were no other women delivering and so I had the one nurse the entire time and she was beautiful. The doctor even just happened to be at the clinic the entire evening anyway, as Friday evening he sees women at that particular clinic and not the older one. So he was able to pop his head in and out without much of a bother. My friends made themselves available for the entire weekend to take care of Tilly. She had barrels of fun with Sarah and Paula and spent her first sleepover there without so much as a peep. Fortnuately she loves them so it wasn't that much of a stretch, for her. Though a big ask for my friends. The room was big with a big double bed for Daddy and me, and another for Tilly to spend the last two nights with us. I spent the weekend recovering at the hospital and eating the lovely confinement foods on offer. Monday and back home, food was cooked, shopping was bought. The girls looked after me a treat. I'm very blessed. And then comes my sister in law, chicken and ginger and condiments in hand. Cooking up a storm in the kitchen, preparing the traditional confinement soups for me. And then comes Nanny and Poppy. Perfect. And not to mention that Evie is a wonderful baby and Tilly is a wonderful big sister.