0600
We wake to a fresh morning, with ample of sunlight and positive feel. First thing I see is that she is already awake, fiddling with her phone, probably chatting with folks about to go to sleep in India. I jump up from the couch and take a look at the readings - child's heartbeat, check. Her heartbeat - check. Temperature - check. Everything is normal. Now, I can go freshen up.
Everything looks just as it was yesterday. No elements of Bollywood/ Hollywood labour rooms yet showing!
Our breakfast is brought to us in the room - juice, toast, veggies. Healthy, filling, fresh and delicious.
1000
The doctors and nurses have told us how our day should ideally look like. They said he could arrive today. Or not. I sit thinking. My wife looks pretty normal. She doesn't look like she will go into labour today but if the doctors are correct, she would go into labour real fast. That would mean that her pain would begin soon, and reach severe level in a very short period. Scared but keeping okay! Monitoring the hell out of numbers on the display - they seem to be going pretty steady.
1200
Nothing yet! She says she is feeling some movement in her belly but they are similar to what she has been feeling over a month. I am beginning to get just a little bit nervous. It is probably the moment just before it. Planning to go out for lunch to a nearby Whole Foods.
1600
The contractions are beginning to accelerate and she is feeling it. They are painful but bearable. The doctors are rapidly monitoring. Two nurses are now fully dedicated to us. She has been put off any food or water. Upon feeling thirsty, she is only allowed to suck on crushed ice. They need to monitor the water levels. So, they are measuring every drop of liquid going in and coming out.
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1800
The contractions have become even more severe and I don't want to leave her in there all alone. I should eat and be strong for the night because this could be a long night. The nurse has assured that she will keep her company till I return. I head out for dinner - get a sandwich packed for now, and one for the night and head right back.
by 1900
The contractions had really gone to a level that she could not bear. The situation in the room was a little tense. The nurses seem to be doing okay but it was very tense for me. I won't let my eyes go off the displays for even a second.
There were a few times when the baby's heartbeat display went to 0. I was shit scared for a few moments but adjusting the microphones brought it all back to where it was. However, there was this one time when I had gone out of the room. The baby's heartbeat actually dropped significantly. I was told later that it was because one of the contractions had squeezed the baby's head but this does happen a few times on babies' journey outwards.
by 2030
The contractions were sever by now. She was writhing in pain, and screaming. I was feeling completely helpless. All I could do was hold her hand, and watch the monitors. It grew to such levels that we decided to go for a dose of epidural. It is a form of anesthesia, and it is a wonder drug. It works in magical mysterious ways (to me!). A special doctors administers it by inserting a needle into your spine and putting you on a special anesthetic drip. The person being given the anesthesia is given a button to boost a dosage if needed. The result is pretty awesome. Your body waist down goes numb but still allows you to use your muscle.
With the epidural, she could make sense of what was going on, and we even had conversation. She was still feeling some pain but nothing compared to what was going on before it. I have never seen her in so much pain. It was really comforting for me that they do have epidural.
by 2200
No sign of the one to arrive yet! The pain was unbearable. The contractions powerful as earthquake! She was doing great - keeping sane and pushing hard. The nurses were helpful, considerate and caring. In one moment of silence, the older nurse said to me, "Told ya! It comes like a freight train. There is no stopping it once you get it going." I saw this freight train come and knock us out.
They were coming at every four minutes. Like hell. Ruthless. Time bound. Even more intense.
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