Ryan's Birth (from Auntie Al's perspective)

Once again, the BIGGEST congratulations to both Michael and Tanya on the birth of Ryan. As Shari has already wonderfully said, both Tanya and Ryan are doing well. Tanya has asked that I share my perspective of Ryan's birth cause there were times that she can't remember what happened.

Tanya's labour (all up) went for about 18 hours and I got THE call from Michael at 1pm this morning saying that Tanya had been admitted to hospital and that she was 2cm dilated with contractions occurring about every 5 mins. Gotta say that drive to the hospital felt really really long even though it was only about 10 mins and I was feeling quite apprehensive about how I would find both Tanya and Michael when I arrived as I'd never been around a woman in labour pains before! After first not being able to find a carpark (at 1.30am in the morning!) and then trying to work out how to actually get INTO the hospital (I finally worked out that I had to press the intercom and speak to someone before they'd let me in), I got to the birthing suite and Tanya was in the bath having a contraction. I was seriously hoping I was going to be useful to her and Michael and the stuff I learned in the ante-natal classes I'd attended would all come back to me.

Tanya's contractions kept getting stronger and she started sucking on the gas (sorry, can't remember the name of it). This seemed to help a lot and Michael jumped into the bath to help support her while I helped with cold flannels and pouring hot water onto her back and stomach. They were definitely getting stronger as they had to up the gas a few times and I remember at one stage Tanya got the giggles cause she felt all tingly and spacey. She eventually had to get out of the bath cause she was shrivelling up like a prune, so she ended up on a bean bag. Her contractions by this stage were REALLY REALLY strong and the gas definitely wasn't helping her by now and neither were Michael and my strategically placed back rubs, so Tanya requested an epidural. By this time I think it was about 6am and after another examination she was now 8cm dilated. What a woman!!

The anaethetist put in the epidural at about 7am and after that, even though she could still feel the contractions she was SO much more relaxed and eventually couldn't feel them at all. Michael and I both went and got some brekkie and then we dozed for about 10 mins. We thought it was quite amusing that Michael and I were the ones that fell asleep while Tanya was all perky and chatty and she was the one doing all the work!

Julie, her OB came in at about 11.30am and gave her another examination and by this stage she was fully dilated and allowed to start pushing. Tanya pushed for about an hour and little Ryan just didn't seem too keen on entering the world so Julie helped him out with forceps. A couple of minutes later out popped his head and then Michael helped Ryan out the rest of the way and then cut the cord. It was the most amazing emotional experience and I couldn't help but cry with Tanya. Ryan was placed on Tanya's chest and Michael could be heard repeating 'how surreal' a few times. He is the most gorgeous little man and I noticed his eyes and lips were similar to Michael's and he just kept staring up at us with his gorgeous little eyes trying to work out who all these big people were.

After a little while Michael gave him his first bath while Tanya got unhooked from everything and then ate a bit of lunch. It was so cute seeing Michael try to put this TINY little nappy onto Ryan, and I was absolutely no help to him at all cause I'd never changed a nappy in my life, but he did it, with little Ryan looking at him as if saying, 'Come on Dad!!'

Tanya's parents had arrived an hour or two before this, so they came in to see their grandson and I stayed for a bit longer and then left the new Douthie family to get acquainted and so Tanya could have a shower and get some sleep.

Tanya sweetie, you did an AMAZING job and you were absolutely brilliant the whole way through. I admire you for everything you went through. It was such a beautiful experience that I've tried to put into words but I don't think my words will ever sum up my emotions.