The Birth
Picture the expectant parents sitting on the couch at 11:30 pm on the first day of the 40th week of pregancy preparing to head off to the airport - Nana Lozza's flight from Melbourne had been delayed 6 hours due to mechanical failure. Very casually, almost as if asking me if I would like a cuppa, mum says "I think my waters just broke".
In a stereotypical panic I bundled the hospital bags packed 2 weeks earlier, and mum coping with the onset of labour, into the car and raced off to the hospital. Calling and texting furiously from the passenger seat mum manages to make all of the necessary people aware that the latest member of the Dixon - Bates clan is due to make an appearance. On arrival at the hospital the staff at the delivery unit, obviously used to seeing uncomfortable mums and stressed out dads, calmly showed us to our room and we nervously waited for events to unfold.
Nana Lozza followed our arrival at the hospital by 30 minutes. This, when you think about it, was quite a feat. Lengthy discussions had been had following the confirmation that we were expecting the first grandchild, regarding how to coordinate the arrival of one half of the "birthing partner team" with the actual birth. The challenges here were 1) that Lozza lives in Melbourne, Australia which is a 4 hour flight away and 2) unless the pregnancy ran over the 40 weeks and an intervention was required there was no way of telling when the precious package would arrive. Couple Lozzas perfectly timed arrival with the fact that the flight from Melbourne was delayed 6 hours and you start to believe in devine intervention.
Following a 6 hour pethadine and "gas and air" induced rest and the application of a politely requested epidural, the midwife decided that we needed to get the show on the road - some synto was the order of the day and an estimated time of arrival was given as 12:00pm. All but mums left buttock was rendered numb below the waist with the most dramatic effect being the lifeless right leg. I was given the task of ensuring that leverage was appliedto the limb applied in conjunction with the contractions and that it did not pop out of the respective socket during the commotion. This gave me an unexpected and fantastically privileged front row seat in the production that is "birth".
The birth progressed as expected being ably assisted by the support team until, shortly after the crown of the head appeared the precious package got stuck, fast. After an hour of coaxing the registrar was called in and a ventouse and epesiotomy prescribed. It is surprising how fast things get moving again when suction cups and scalpels are mentioned. With a renewed vigour the pushing recommenced and at 11:50 am following a 13 hour labour, mum gave birth to a beautiful bouncing 7 pound 2 ounce baby boy - Oliver George Wynter Dixon.
What an experience - wouldnt have missed it for the world. Tess and Oliver I love you both very much, love Brandon.
7 pounds 2 ounces
