ARJUN SINGH GANDHI
June 21st - The longest day of Northern Hemisphere. We feel it even more as we are quite up north in this part of the
world. Though it did not feel very long. It was just
like any other regular days in June. We went out for our regular walk around 8:45 PM after having a good meal. It
was slower than our routine as we knew that we need to be slower as the ‘D’ day
was only 10 days away. I surfed my regular channels for half hour and went to
bed – still unaware of the long night-day-night ahead.
Taruna was feeling a little
uncomfortable but we thought it is one of those regular nights where she has
itches and can scratch herself out to see her own rashes.
June 22nd
– Taruna called out for me at 12:30 AM – I had only an hour and a half of so
called sleep by then – complaining about some discharge. Her first reaction was
– water broke. My reaction – ‘water main’ broke. We read the instructions given
from the Hospital. Since the discharge was not very regular, I tried to calm
her down and convinced her to go back to bed.
Half an hour
later, 1:15 PM, Taruna was again calling out for me. I went to the washroom
(half asleep – what else do you expect at that hour from me). She asked me to
look at the color of discharge. Color-blind – as claimed by my beloved wife, I
tried to figure out the green and the yellow and the different tones and shades
of rainbow. Finally we decided to call the hospital and take the expert’s
opinion. Taruna said, “I think my water broke”. Back
came the dreaded question - “What color is the discharge?” Finally after some
deliberation, while we were still on the phone, we agreed that it was
yellowish-green or greenish-yellow. “Come in to the hospital right now, as we
should not wait for the morning”, came back the answer.
Taruna was prepared for herself as
well as the baby to come. I was caught on the wrong foot. There was hardly a
time for me to think as to what I should plan for. So I woke up Mom and Dad
informing them that we are heading out to the hospital. They helped us grab
whatever we could. Of course we left the most important thing behind – No not
the baby – it was paper which has had the discharge. The nurse had asked very
clearly that we need to get that so they can decide on the color.
2:10 AM – I headed out with Taruna to the Credit
Valley Hospital.
2:50 AM – Reached
Hospital.
3:00 AM – Taruna was admitted in the
Maternity Ward and we were given a bed (that’s what the hospital staff referred
to as). I think it was a stretcher converted to a bed. Taruna
was immediately hooked up on some machines and our long wait started. We were
still not sure as to what was happening. The room was shared by another
expectant mother. We found out that Taruna’s favorite
Dr. Jhong is one duty. WOW!! Heights
of coincidence.
3:40 PM – Dr. came in. He confirmed that we are not going home without the
baby (out). Finally, we (?) are going to have the baby!!!@#%#$@#&*
By 4 AM we found out that we are in the
waiting list to be moved in to a Labor Room. It seemed that everyone in GTA was
having babies that night. You always get that feeling when you are having one
yourself. It was ‘Myconeium’ (I can never spell these
biological terms right – that’s why I left medicine and took to English).
Anyhow, this is a condition where the baby passes his poo
while still inside the Mom. The risk is that baby may ingest his own poo and that may cause complications as it is like poison
for the baby. It may cause congestion and choking of food and wind pipe. (oesophagus – I still remember some
of those terms – 15 years later). So the baby has to be delivered – taken out –
within max 18 hours of water (main!) break.
I came out and
called Mom and Dad and apprised them of the situation and asked them to come to
the hospital by 7 AM (with
my breakfast). How can I forget food? I also asked them to call Montreal so Mom and Sonia
can head out.
Last but not the
least I had to call and change my ever so important Voicemail. I called up everyone
in the branches – believe me I was calling the Bank at 5 in the morning –
knowing that I am talking to Voicemails. This proves that I was definitely not
prepared for this. (early)
6:00 AM – I was still by the side of my beloved Taruna. We were not very sure as to what’s happening. I am
sure we were both trying to tell each other that this is normal – everything is
fine – but in our hearts I believe we both felt the anxiety.
7:30 Am I came
out to meet mom and Dad who were here by now. And I had the ever so tasty paranthas. Poor Taruna – she was
not allowed to eat. But you guessed it right – she was hungry and our great Mom
had ‘Churi’ (full of ghee) for her. Mom came in to
meet her and give her churi. Taruna
had her share of pre delivery food fiesta.
9:00 – I took a
short break in the waiting area with Dad. Taruna was
still on the stretcher waiting for her turn.
10:00 AM – We finally moved into a ‘real’ Labor Room. This was
definitely something as per our expectation – actually above – especially after
having to stay for over 6 hours on the stretcher. All the gadgets and gizmos
were plugged in to Taruna. Did I forget to mention
that we were constantly listening to the heart thumping music (Surround Sound –
Hi-Fi, Digital Dolby) from the placenta? In fact that
was probably the only way we were able to tell that Taruna
was having ‘Contractions’.
10:30 AM – The next
Dr. on duty came in for check up. Quite a jolly
fellow, I must say. He checked the opening – still 1.5 cm. For them to even try
to initiate the delivery the opening needs to dilate to at least 9 cm. Long way to go…. The Dr. decided to induce contractions. Some
more gadgets follow.
11:30 AM – Sonia and mom arrived from Montreal. Another surprise was in store for
us. We had planned that mom will be with me and Taruna
for the delivery. But mom said that she will not be able to handle this. So
there was confusion for some time. Who will be my fall back (if I do fall back). Taruna was always confident from
the beginning that I will faint in the labor room. I still do not know the
reason why. Anyhow I took mom inside to meet Trauna.
We came out in the lobby area and the confusion still persisted. For a moment I
said that I will handle it alone. But I knew that this may take another 12 to
20 hours. Will I be able to survive alone – NO. I
definitely needed someone to make sure that if required I can get a short
break(s). So I took charge of the situation and decided to take Sonia with me.
4:00 PM –
Contractions had grown to a level where now Taruna
was definitely feeling the pressure – but not enough. Dr came in for his visit.
He checked her. Oh wow!! To everyone’s surprise Taruna
had dilated enough to go through. Good news. At least that’s what the nurse
told us.
8:00 PM – Dr.
Wade came in for a check up. She asked the nurse to start the pushes. So we
were told that we need to all gear up for he pushes. We had no clue as to what
this means but had we known – probably we would not have done it.
8:30 PM – Taruna started pushing with the help of the nurse, myself
and Sonia. This was a long ordeal. Undoubtedly, it was the most difficult and
physical part of the pregnancy. Taruna was in an
excruciating pain. I could only feel a bit of it as we all who were only
helping her to hold up were exhausted. But I must say Taruna’s
patience and effort was exemplary. During this time I saw ‘His’ Head for the
first time through some of the pushes.
10:00 PM – Taruna was totally breathless and had no energy left. Dr.
Wade came by again. Taruna finally gave up and asked
the dr to have a ‘C’ section as she could not handle
it any more. Dr. Wade decided to have Forceps delivery. They quickly explained
to me about it and started preparing for it. I tried to understand (in vain) as
to what they explained to me. I was (for the first time till now) in a state of
shock when I saw all the gadgets and preparations for forceps. I just sat on
the couch and felt absolutely helpless.
We were informed
that it would be a big Birthday Party – There will be Dr. Wade, nurse on duty,
pediatrician, anesthetist and 2 other nurses. It sounded quite frightening.
June 23
00:15 AM – Every one in the room took their positions. Myself and Sonia in a corner not really knowing how to react.
Dr. Wade got all the instruments out – that forceps looked too big and
undoubtedly – dangerous. I had some serious doubts in my head as to whether we
should be doing this or not. Well shots had been fired – we could retract now.
Let it happen. These people were all experts in their field and I trusted every
bit of my life and hope to them.
‘He’ did give a
very difficult time to Dr. Wade also. She got the instruments in and was
pulling with all her might. I had shivers running through my body looking at
what she was trying to accomplish.
00:54 AM – the
Final Moment of truth. It’s a Boy. Arjun Singh was
born. (We had not decided on the name as yet) I saw him coming out with my eyes
wide open. Time stood still for me. My world was there for me. This moment can
only be felt and never explained in words.
Tensions were
still running high. Umbical cord was cut by Dr. Wade
and baby was handed over to the Nurse. Few seconds later we heard his first cry
(little realizing that what seemed ‘music’ to ears would be ‘noise’ in future)
Vital Statistics for Arjun
Time : 00:54 hrs
Weight : 3339 Grams (3.39 Kgs)
Height : 50 cms
Head
circumference : 34 cms
Sonia ran out to
tell everyone outside waiting for the news.
Bringing him home – June
24th, 2005. Hospital staff told
us that we can take him home. Even though Taruna was
not feeling well but it was all about the baby who was healthy and was doing
well. So we finally decided that it will be easy for everyone once we are all
home.
Lactation Story
-
1st
appt with Doc