The delivery, 26 December 2007

The first contraction began. I already heard from so many people that the feeling is like menstrual cram. But I was induced with my first one, and was not sure if this is the feeling they were talking about. The counting began. Luckily our clock was digital. It was every 9 minutes.I counted for 1 hour, and felt a bit sure that it was the one.I packed the hospital bag, took the doctor's phone number.

I woke Daddy up, and told him what to do. He woke his mom up, and mom prepared me three boiled eggs just in case I felt hungry on the way to hospital (though the doctor said it's safer not to eat anything before delivery). Once we reached the emergency, I just could not believe why they still asked us to register. Why do they call it Emergency if we still need to register?! I started to make noise in front of them, put the hot boiled eggs behind my waist for comfort, and finally they dragged me onto wheel chair and brought me to the Labour and Delivery Room.

The nurse who admitted me was not friendly also, so many questions with unfriendly tone. Daddy was still in the registration when I was inside the room. Once he arrived, I grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard! Oh no, this was the pain that people were talking about. I had Yuta with induction, and only lasted 15 minutes with the contraction before I got the epidural. I had prayed for a natural delivery without epidural for Kailie. Three other nurses came, and they asked me to breathe deep and release. And it worked. I almost could not stand the pain anymore when the doctor came and told me I could push soon. I was happy, but really could not believe what I heard. It was only 20 minutes that I felt the pain. And it was already time to push! Are you sure, doctor???

The doctor's name was Doctor Bukovac, a very nice lady. I was really glad she was the doctor on duty on that night. My own doctor could not come on that night, and she assigned her male partner to deliver me for induction. I somehow felt better to deliver with woman doctor, and God is so good to provide me Dr Bukovac.

When it was time to push, it was unbelievably painful! They said pushing is a piece of cake, why??? The burning pain was unforgettable. I screamed like crazy, but screaming was not helping my baby to go out. Instead, I should hold my breath and push, and push!!Kailie came out from the birth canal like a watermelon. The feeling of relieved is so great!! I was glad she came out safe and sound. I was so happy when I heard her crying. She looked chubby and healthy too!!

O God, I just can not thank You enough and enough.

Kailie was our answered prayer, for having her to be born in United States. Her big brother, Yuta, was born in US on May 2005, and we just prayed that our 2nd baby to be like him, so she could have the same chance to choose if she wants to be US citizen in the future.
Janet Phillips, my bible study leader, a wonderful tutor and woman of God, prayed with me on one afternoon when she came to our house. I cried when she prayed for me, and did not think more than that. THen, when we visited Indonesia few months later, I missed my period and returned back to US with a positive result. Wow! This thing makes me realize how in my life I took things for granted so many times and did not take prayer so seriously. So many lessons to be learned.

Another answered prayer was that Kailie was born naturally and without epidural.The recovery from natural delivery without epidural was amazing. I know that I do recover faster than the last time. And Kailie looks so healthy. I am really really thankful.