Welcome, Baby!

I interrupted mom while she was saying, “Call me as soon…”

“I know mom, I know,” I said hugging her. “We will call you as soon as she is here.” Then my husband gave mom a quick hug and said bye to her. I looked at the window before we got in the car. She was there and had the same happy but worried expression on her face, just like the day when I left home for college.

“I will call you first, mom,” I whispered.

Casey helped me and my big belly into the car. He had warmed the car to make it comfortable on the cold December night. Our drive to the hospital was quiet, both of us readying ourselves for the moment to come. Once at the hospital he helped me out of the car.

 “Wait for me in the lobby,” he said. “I’ll park the car and come back.”

After the biggest snow storm of the last sixty years, it was still freezing cold and gray outside. As soon as I entered the lobby the hot air hit my cold face. First I saw a crying woman on a wheel chair and her panicked husband next to her.  She was in so much pain she couldn’t even answer the nurse’s questions. The experienced nurse looked like the only one who knew what she was doing. After a couple more questions, she took them to elevator to go upstairs. As I was watching them I realized how lucky I was not to be feeling any pain, and Casey put a quick kiss on my cheek. I was surprised and so happy that he was back.

He went to the Information Desk to talk to check in. I looked around while he was talking to a nurse. I was surprised there weren’t any visitors waiting in the lobby. Due to the Swine Flu epidemic the hospital decided not to accept any visitors other than significant others. I was kind of disappointed not being able to have my mom next to me on such a special day, but I thought it was better to be safe.

Soon a different nurse with the same experienced attitude took us to one of the labor rooms on the third floor. They gave me some medicine to induce my labor and the clock started ticking. It would prove to be a long wait.

After eighteen hours of pain, thirst and excitement, my doctor turned and asked me, “Are you scared of surgery?”

“No, not at all,” I said. “I just want to meet her.”

“Then let’s take this baby out,” he said, and then turned to his assistant. “Nurse Kelly, prepare the patient for a C-section.”

My husband and I looked at each other and both took a deep breath. The nurse gave my husband yellow scrubs and a mask, telling him to put them on and wait to be called in. 

“Isn’t he coming with me?” I asked.

“He has to change his clothes and we’ll prepare you for the operation,” the nurse said.

“But, but…” I was trying to convince them.

“I’ll be right there, askim,” my husband said.

I started to cry and said, “Okay!”

As soon as we entered the operating room the scenery suddenly changed. It was much colder and brighter than the rest of the hospital. There were so many people in the room. They were talking to each other and acting like they didn’t notice me. I just wanted my husband next to me. I wanted him to hold my hand and take me back home to our routine life. I felt like I didn’t belong there. Everything was so unfamiliar to me. 

“We will move you to the operation table now. Don’t be scared when we lift you,” said the one of the nurses. 

I was so sure those four people would not be able to lift me and my huge belly. I was holding the sheets so hard that I could feel my nails hurting my hands through the sheets. One of the nurses realized my useless effort and tried to convince me that nobody was going to drop me. But I wanted to be sure my unborn baby was safe.

I was on an operating table for the first time in my life. I was looking at those gigantic operation lights on the ceiling and thought that it was just like in the movies and TV shows. Then I heard my doctor’s familiar voice.

“Are you ready to meet your daughter, Ayse?”

“I am more than ready” I said. I was surprised to hear my shaky voice and I felt my husband’s cool hand wrap around mine.

“It is happening, Casey,” I said.

“It is happening,” he said, hiding his nervous face behind the yellow medical mask.

“Ok, I am starting. Are you ready?” the doctor asked.

 “Yes!” I said.

“Here she is!” the doctor announced with a calm, quiet voice.

Then I heard her strong, full-of-life scream.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” were the only words I could say.

I just knew my life had changed forever at this very first moment.

         ….

“Hello?” my mom said on the other side of the line.

“Mom, I am a mom!” I said.