Birthing stories.....

I am days away from giving birth. Days away from bringing a new life into this world....insha Allah. Isn't that just another of Allah's miracles? This will be my 5th child.

Let me share a bit about each of these births....

My first born...14 yrs ago....

Can u imagine the feeling that you had when ur first child was in ur womb? The dreams you had for that child? Ohhh...yes, I still remember that. SubhanAllah. But for the entire last month of my pregnancy....I had insomnia. I just COULD NOT get to sleep. Hubby would go to bed.....and I would lay there until I heard him breathing evenly....and then sneak out. We didn't have a TV, so I couldn't watch that.....instead...I started reading Sahih Bukhari. My intention was to finish all of it. Allah had a better plan!

We had just come back from Egypt a month before. I flew on the plane when I was about 34 weeks pregnant. I was worried that they wouldn't let me fly. But Alhamdulillah, no one asked about my pregnant state, and we made it back to Cda without any hassles. When we arrived....I was in the shower......I broke down in tears.....loud long sobs that I just couldn't stop. My hubby thought something happened and ran in the bathroom like he was going to break down the door!

"Whats the matter? Did u hurt urself? Is something wrong?"

I sniffled and thru my sobs I told him...."my ankles are dirty and I can't reach them properly."

He looked at me confused...."Ur ankles are dirty? Is there anything else wrong?"

Slightly embarassed now I says to him...."Well....it's just really bothering me that I can't wash them, I feel so helpless....."

With that....he took the loofah from me and proceeded to wash my ankles thoroughly......the whole time telling me that he doesn't like me to cry, and that dirty ankles are not the end of the world. He was right.

So back to the fated evening. Well, I just finished book # 3 of Sahih bukhari....closed the book and had a strong contraction. Then another and another. I went to my husband and told him I think it's time.....I told him I"d be right back, but that I was going to shower before going to the hospital. I really thought that he'd go back to sleep. Instead...I found him dressed and sitting in the livingroom with my hospital bag and his shoes on. LOLOL!!

When we finally made it to the hospital, I was pretty far along.....and then at one point...things started slowing down a bit. The DR allowed me to use the jacuzzi.....OMG....it was heaven. After the jacuzzi I was 8 cm. Time to get down to business.

Back in the room, they asked me if I wanted any pain medicine but I refused......Hubby was at my shoulders, holding my hand.....and then....my darling daughter was born. Masha Allah!

It took a total of 12 hours. She was born on a Jumma. Hubby had just enough time to kiss me goodbye...and then ran to pray the jumma prayer.....LOL!

My 2nd born....12 yrs ago....

This pregnancy was different. I craved chocolate ALL THE TIME. I ate so much chocolate...OH MY! I gained 60 lbs during it......which is lucky considering how much chocolate I ate! From the 8th month I started swelling to unimagined proportions. And then...the blood pressure started to go up. I had mild toxemia. Eventually...a week before the baby's due date.....the DR found that I was off the chart.....and the baby had to COME OUT NOW! I had my labour induced.

It all happened so fast....I was scared. The DR told me that I was to go from her office DIRECTLY to the hospital. I had the hospital bag in the car. I dropped off my oldest to my mom. The contractions started so fast after they induced me....that I wasn't prepared for them. I became exhausted so quickly that I fell asleep in between. SubhanAllah! At one point...the contractions were so horrible...that I asked for an epidural. I couldn't handle it.

The anaethisioligist (sp?) came into the room....his name was Dr. Ow .... HAHA.....not really a good sign! Well....he just started to get things ready when suddenly I told him...GET THE DR! IT'S TOO LATE! He stopped what he was doing and told me that I had to stay completely still. I told him...I CAN'T! Suddenly....baby # 2 was born. The nurses ran in, the DR ran in, Hubby ran in....but it was Dr. Ow who delivered the baby.

My 3rd born.....10 yrs ago

We moved to Egypt. I was 6 mos pregnant with my third. Hubby wanted me to go to the hospital and have the baby there. But not me. I wanted to have this baby at home. I pushed the issue. Alhamdulillah...I got my way.

The night before the baby came...I was at the airport. Some friends were arriving from Cda. My friend saw me and told me...what are you doing at the airport when you are going to have a baby....I remember that I laughed.

How did my labour start? Oh this is funny. In Egypt they have these horrible HUGE gliding cockroaches. I can't stand them. Not to mention they scare me! So that night....I was sleeping. And I hear this plopping noise on my pillow. I open my eyes and see Mr. Cockroach on my pillow. OMG! I scream and swipe at it.....and jump out of bed! Too fast for a 9 month pregnant woman......I start to run after this thing....thinking that if I don't get it and kill it, I'll be scared in the apt. So I find him...kill him...and then lay back down. NOPE! Contractions start. LOL!

And guess what? It's Canada day...July 1st. My mom calls...I talk to her in between contractions. My Cdn SIL calls....and I do the same thing. I was supposed to have a mid wife....but she's with another woman who is giving birth. SIGH! My hubby runs around and finds a DR willing to come to the house.....the entire family comes over and is sitting in my living room.....waiting. I just kept pacing in the house...ignoring everyone. Finally....4 hours later...I have baby # 3!

Baby # 4...........4 yrs ago

I waited for this baby a long time. It had been 6 yrs. I wasn't taking anything....but for some reason....wasn't getting preggers. SubhanAllah! I was in Egypt again. My hubby going back and forth. (no 2nd wife at that time...although from my calculations....it was only a yr away) I carried this child by myself...hubby showed up for a month during the pregnancy. He did not show up for the birth. But instead...arrived 40 days afterwards. Go figure. The pregnancy was uneventful...I spent much time being happy and joyful at this new life. I had lots of energy.

The night before she was born....I burnt my kitchen. I forgot a pan of oil on the stove and the kitchen went up in flames. It was 10 pm at night. All the neighbours in my bldg ran up the stairs and helped to put the fire out. I mean ALL the neighbours! Masha Allah! I was scared to death. But Alhamdullilah....it was only the kitchen and we caught it quickly. That night I went to sleep very restless....and when I woke up..my water broke. I woke up the kids for school....made their lunches.....and moved slowly, in between contractions. At one point, they noticed that something wasnt right with Mommy. Finally I told them...I think I might be having the baby. LOL! OH I KNEW IT ALRIGHT! After I got them off to school....I went right to the DR's and then....2 hours later....had baby # 4.

This DR was amazing. She was saying quran while I was in labour! And after I had the baby....she made sujuud to Allah in thankfulness! Then when I was having something to eat, I offered her a sandwich...but no....it was Monday...she was fasting. SUBHANALLAH!

And now....baby # 5.

Well...soon, insha Allah....soon. That's the story you are all waiting to hear. Just give me a few more days......

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Its with pleasure and anticipation that I await this baby's arrival. All is done....the house is clean....organized.....and we are just sitting around...holding our breath......

(the above pic was drawn for me by a member of the sometimes sobia forums......)