21st of April:
You were 2 days overdue.
I was sitting at a cafe spot with a friend. This is where I had my first contractions. Soft & gentle. I didn’t know what it was because I had never experienced them before.
I went home & another friend came by. The contractions got a little bit stronger & we went to the hospital just to see if these really were contractions.
I got checked & confirmed that you made yourself ready to come, but I had plenty of time & was able to go home.
As I got the information I called Dominic & told him that I thought it was time for him to come to Munich, as he was in Turkey for his job. He talked with his team & booked a flight for the next day.
Later that evening, they got stronger. Like really strong & I was in pain. My mom & my best friend kept me company at home. We tried to get some rest until I told them I wanted to go to the hospital again.
My cervix was still closed, but she asked me if I wanted some painkiller. I took them & because my mom worked at the same Hospital, we were able to go to her section, where we laid down in an empty room which was used as a storage area.
We all got some good rest & then went back home.
22nd of April:
Dominic arrived at noon & my contractions were mostly gone. We spent the day together by walking & enjoying each other for the last time as only him & me.
As the evening came & the night was close – the contractions were starting again. This was the second night with barely any sleep. We went to the hospital again.
We left the hospital the next day in the early morning because my cervix was still closed even though my contractions were strong.
23rd of April:
I still had my contractions , but they were too far apart. Dominic was resting in the bedroom while I was timing every contraction in the living room.
And then for the last time we grabbed my stuff & went with my mom to the hospital.
My cervix was 3 cm open now. They told me to walk around for like 1.5 hours & come back.
I was walking sooo slow because I was in pain every other minute & we had to stop so I could focus on breathing.
1.5 hours later – we are in the birth room. My cervix was 6 cm open now & the midwife told me it still can take a while. I asked for an epidural, but she said it was too early. Nevertheless my mom got the papers for the epidural ready so I would just had to sign them when the time came. Before the nurse hooked me on the monitor I asked if I could use the bathroom. Dominic & I went to the bathroom. And this my friend is where the action started ..
Action:
While I had to pee I got a contraction. Naturally I pushed & that’s where my actual labor started. I could tell my vaginal muscle didn’t want to close anymore. I was in total shock & panic and told Dominic something is going on down there. He (who had been hearing that for the last couple hours) didn’t believe me & demanded he wanted to pee now.
While he was peeing I simply opened the door from the bathroom which was in front of the nurses room.
Pants halfway down, told them something is going on here & 3 of them supported me to the birth room.
They asked me if I can lift my leg & sit up on the chair. But I couldn’t. I was too weak & shaking. The midwife checked my cervix & said – she’s coming now!
They brought a mattress & I went on my knees & we got ready.
19 minutes later – on all fours – on the floor – without any painkiller – Ava arrived in her intact amniotic sac.
When I first saw her & I got asked if i want to hold her I said no because I was shaking so much & overwhelmed & scared that I would hurt her.
I got up in the chair & saw Dominic holding Ava. It was amazing.
Ava was given to me afterwards & she latched on immediately. We never felt so proud, happy & blessed at the same time.
I was so glad Dominic got to be there & I wouldn’t want it any other way. It was perfect.
Today is your 1st Birthday.
12 months – 52 weeks – 365 days.
We can’t believe how time went by so quickly & how long you have been with us.
Every single day was a new experience. There were good & bad days. Short & long nights. But there was never a day without a smile.
We love you Ava. Thank you for coming into our lives.
