Milly's Birthday

I knew that I wouldn't make it to 40 weeks with this pregnancy. Elly was a week early and Nate was 2. I didn't mind too much as the last weeks of pregnancy was pretty rough on my body. I couldn't stand very long and I seemed to be pulling a stomach muscle or groin muscle daily. I couldn't walk up the stairs without having to sit down and getting out of bed for the multiple night trips to the bathroom was almost impossible! And once she drop, holy cow! When I drove, my belly was on my thighs!

37 week and 5 days - heading to the hospital 

 My first goal was to make it until my parents arrived on the 22nd. But I was really hoping for October. Then when I hired my doula, she said she would be out of town for training the 20-23. So then I made my goal at least the 24th! I had an appointment Wednesday the 19th and had progressed since my last appointment. My OB wanted me back on Friday to check since I was having decent contractions during my NST. But Friday showed little change even though I was having contractions. I told her I planned to plant my butt on the couch and make her stay since my parents wouldn't arrive til the next morning. That evening the contractions got a bit worse but nothing bad. Dr. Genim called to see how I was doing since she was heading to the Asias side for the evening. With rush hour, getting back from the Asian side could take 3 or 4 hours. I was feeling fine. A little crampy but I figured that was just from the internal exam. Of course, two hours later, I felt HORRIBLE! I stayed on the couch the whole night and ordered delivery. I did managed to get a little sleep that night and by the next morning I was feeling much better. I think if my parents had already been in Istanbul that I would have gone into the hospital that night.

 My parents arrived at our apartment about 11:30am on the 22nd. I had called my OB and told her it was a good idea that I come in and get checked. And also called my Doula Saylan, who was still out of town. She decided to hop a bus and try to make it back in time. I was supposed to call her once I saw the doctor. If need be, then the back up plan would go into effect. So after getting everyone lunch, we headed up to the hospital. After a quick check, she mumbled something in Turkish to the nurse. She said I was 3 cm dilated and to get me checked into the hospital. I was having good enough contractions that I had to stop walking. There was another pregnant woman in admissions and ever contraction I had, she was totally freaked out. I was guessing she was in for a c-section. My OB helped get us thru admissions and then we headed upstairs to L &  D.

 My room wasn't available yet, so we were put in a Recovery room. I got changed, call my Doula and they started monitoring my contractions. Since my Doula was NOT going to make it, we started on the backup plan. Sima arrived in less than 30 minutes. After I was settled in, my contractions stalled. UGH… really? I was not going to be a 4th time mom and have false labor. No, after Elly, I KNEW was labor felt like. I was definitely in the second stage of labor. We joked that I'm just too relaxed in this nice quiet hospital! LOL. So Joel and I started walking the hall. I did this with Nate and it really kick started the contractions. Unfortunately, Achibadem is MUCH smaller than Liberty. I think I have to do 10 laps to equal a hall length at Liberty. And it worked again. After 30 minutes of walking I was 4cm. Dr. Genim decided to go ahead and have the anesthesiologist put the port in for epidural. I've had two really great experiences with getting an epidural. I never felt either one being placed. Well let me tell you, this guy SUCKED! He said he numbed me… but the second he started OW! Plus he didn't tell me he was starting. So I got yelled at not to move. Well, you have to tell me you are starting! The second time, it hurt worse!! I knew then, that he had screwed it up. But I was trying to be optimistic that I was just being a wuss.

 After another 30 minutes Dr. Genim wanted to check again. But because I was in a recovery room, she wanted me in the delivery room to check. Surprisingly, no change. That is NOT like me. So I ask if she could just break my water then things will get moving. She was oddly surprised. I thought we had discussed that my water never breaks on its own. She was still very supportive of me and my choices, but I think she thought I wanted no interventions. So she broke my water and full on labor started. I was to 5cm in less than 30 seconds. My room was finally ready so Joel and Sima moved all our stuff and then moved me. Of course I was in the last room at the other end of the hall. By the time we got there I was 6cm and said I need the epidural now! LOL

 I really have no idea what the time frame for all of this was. I know I got to my OB's office at 13:30ish? And had a wait a bit. Then check in and all that. I think we got into the first room about 14:20 and the 2nd room sometime after 16:00. It's all still a bit of a blur. Probably because my epidural did NOT work. The only thing that was numb was my left thigh. I might as well gone drug free again. Not sure what time the doctor told me it was time to push but a flurry of people bombarded the room to convert it to a delivery room. My doula Sima was amazing thru the whole thing. The aromatherapy really helped me relax. Labor was so fast again that she really didn't get to do much of her job. But really just being there to help translate and be extra support was well worth every penny.

 Dr. Genim comes back in still in her stilettos and cute jeans and tank top ready to deliver! LOL. I had to giggle. Joel later told me that Milly was born after 4 pushes. I thought it felt like I was pushing FOREVER! But I also wasn't prepared for the pain. At least with Elly, I knew no epidural, so I had a little time to figure myself out. But this time, I was expecting another lovely labor and delivery like Nate. Boy was I wrong. My OB and I did butt heads a bit near the end but she did listen to what I wanted. My other three births, I was totally out of it afterwards. But this time, I was alert and aware of everything going on. Which is exactly what I was hoping for. Even though it was a horribly painful delivery, I'm pretty darn happy with how it went. Especially when having a baby in another country. 


Milly was born at 17:44pm. She was 8lbs 3oz (my biggest baby!) at 37 weeks and 5 days. I wonder if she would have been a 9lbs baby if she waited until 40 weeks! And the odd thing is, I gained less this pregnancy than any other. And I started at a lower weight then 2 of the 3. I gained a whopping 23lbs. Milly came out with a full thick head of dark hair. She is absolutely adorable. She actually had a round head! LOL. I got to hold her immediately. We had planned on waiting a bit for Joel to cut the cord but she was having a little troubles breathing because of all the fluid in her nose. They cleaned her up a little and then gave her right back to me. Such a snuggle bug. We got to spend a while with her before they took her back to be checked over. Joel took that time to run home and get the kiddos. The kids were so excited to meet Milly. I was a little concerned with how Nate would act since he's been the baby of the family for three years, but he has been the best big brother. After about an hour, they headed back home and my Doula made sure I was good for the night and headed home herself.

 I got a good two hours of rest. I never sleep well in the hospital. But I enjoy the time that Joel and I can spend bonding with our little one without the other kiddos. I thought I would want that again. But I decided the next afternoon, that I just wanted to go home. In Istanbul, the average stay is only 24 hours for a normal delivery. My OB said I could stay until Monday morning if I wanted but at last minute I decided lets go. My body probably could have used that extra 12 hours. It did force my body to get moving but it was a long slow walk to the car. We finally managed to get out around 9pm. Because it was Sunday, none of the insurance stuff could be done and most of the admin staff was gone. Milly also had to have her blood work done before we could leave the hospital. The Turkish Government requires babies to submit two blood samples within 48 hours of birth. Plus the hospital requires their one blood test. And of course we had to wait until the hospital completely all the blood tests. Which was two hours. If they would have told me that… I probably would have stayed! We were ready to go and kept waiting and waiting. I really wanted to go home and eat the Chili that Dad had made for dinner. The food at the hospital was good but I NEEDED some comfort food!

Waiting to go home

 Finally we got the OK that we could go and finish everything on Tuesday. Overall, I had a great experience giving birth here. I would do it again…. NOT that I am. LOL. My doctor was great and so was the staff. I am so grateful that I found not one but two great Doulas. And we are absolutely in love with little Milly. Our little Turk! LOL. Everyone keeps telling us she looks Turkish.

 Next step… becoming an American!