I recall clearly its around the same time when I was carrying Isabella inside of me the bleeding started, about 27 weeks into my pregnancy. Yesterday it happened with this 2nd round , so I went to hospital with Isabella and Magnus.
My midwife first did some checks on baby’s heartbeat, then I was told to wait and see the doctor for another examination. So we wait. Bella was trying to be so good, but after 5 hours staying in hospital room she started to get really cranky and tired. We went to reception asking how much longer till we see a doctor, and a nurse told me its most likely I will stay over for the night. Bella was full of tears when Magnus carried her away and they went home for the night.
I was happy to stay by myself, its better to be in the hospital in case things progress fast rather than being sent home and wondering what would happen. There was a young Indian couple shared the room with me, the wife is in 40 weeks of her pregnancy and they could not wait any longer to meet the baby. They discussed all sorts of options to speed up the labour, intercourse, massage breasts , put either primrose oil or castor oil down there. The doctor patiently listened to all the options they found via different channels, and said the hospital only carry out medical inductions should they need it. When the doctor left the room, the husband told the wife maybe she should stop asking doctor if putting caster oil inside would help. I listened to all these conversations and wished I would be in their position. As I wanted to feel what its like to be in 40 weeks rather than have preterm baby again. I wanted to tell them let nature take its course, the baby will come, just wait.
Then after doctor finally examined me at the 8th hour since I arrived, she said nothing major causing her to be concerned about my condition, so I moved to another ward to spend the night. It is difficult to sleep in the hospital room, there are lots of beeping sounds and lights crack through doorways and windows. After midnight another lady came into my room, she snored quite a bit. I told myself its like travelling, sleeping in shared accommodation or on the flight, pretending I am in a foreign place experience something new. So with this mindset I finally drifted into sleep.
In the morning, there are more tests to be done, but I was confident I would be discharged as the condition didn’t get worse. I told myself, take it one day a time, one week a time and it would be a victory if this one arrives later than Bella. The mantra I kept repeating to myself was” my body is strong and healthy, my baby is strong and healthy, she is perfectly safe within me. My mind is calm, powerful and positive”. When things are out of my control, at least I can do some positive reaffirmation to cheer myself up a bit.
While I was being pushed on the wheelchair to get the scan, the young guy who works as an orderly at the hospital told me there were only 7 orderlies working in the entire hospital, that’s 3 buildings combined. He walks on average about 25000 steps a day. I asked if he will get the Covid vaccination soon, he said next week would be his turn and he really looked forward to it.
The nurses who checked on me also just got her first shot of the vaccination about half an hour ago, she felt quite well. The atmosphere at the maternity ward is calm and slow. I suppose its slow from my perspective, the doctors and nurses must be quite busy. But there is no fear of Covid lingering in the air, not many people wearing masks and most hospital staff will get vaccinated by the end of April.
Its always interesting to spend time in hospital, I meet people from all walks of life. Auckland is so diverse, the people I came across over my 24 hrs stay include South American, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Maori and European Kiwi.
Hope things will improve. I really do.
LIYANG'S THOUGHTS 