"A Battle So Worth It": A Brave Mum's 33-Hour Labour Story
Read about this brave mum's birth story and her persistence to go through with a natural birth even after 33 hours of labour...
Nadhirah and her beautiful family. Read on for details of her birth story.
“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” — Laura Stavoe Harm
Nadhirah is an amazing Singaporean mum who wanted to share her second child’s birth story with other expecting mums.
Her story is one of courage and love for her children, and it carries a really important message for all parents: to never give up when it comes to your kids, and to fight for what you want and believe in.
We spoke to Nadhirah to bring you the remarkable birth story of her second child.
Nadhirah’s birth story
“I found out that I was 5 weeks pregnant with my boy when my eldest child was just 3 months old. It was a bit of a shock for me as I didn’t expect to be this fertile so soon after having a baby.
“But both my husband and I were very happy about the news, and my husband really wanted a boy this time.
“The 1st trimester ended and I felt nothing but healthy and active as I was keeping up with my active baby girl back then.
“Towards the end of the 2nd trimester, I felt really sick very suddenly and had to visit my gynaecologist on a frequent basis.
“My gynaecologist informed me over the phone (just a few days after he took a swab from me) that I was diagnosed with Group B Streptococcal infection.
“When I met him for a consultation, he told me to be strong to handle the piece of news he wanted to tell me.
“Basically, it was between life and death for myself and/or the baby in my belly. I felt like the world was coming to an end.
“I couldn’t face anyone minutes after hearing the news. When I looked into my daughter’s eyes, all I could think was, ‘Mummy is very sorry.'”
When Nadhirah went into labour, she wasn’t even sure that she would be able to hold her precious bundle like this.
Labouring under trying circumstances
“It was only the 36th week of pregnancy and I was already in labour. People always say the birthing of your 2nd child is faster than the first. But I beg to differ.
“My labour was a crucial stage in my life. It could have been mine and/or my baby’s final day. The midwives said that my baby was underweight (1.5kg) and it was dangerous for me to give birth naturally.”
24 hours of labour — no sign of baby yet…
“There was still no sign of my baby. During the last 24 hours I even drank loads of Milo, hoping that he would gain some weight to help me out there!
“The midwives asked me so many times if I wanted an epidural as I was so much in pain.
“After 24 hours of labour, my gynaecologist said the situation was quite dangerous as even though my water bag had burst, there was no sign of my baby.
“It was time for an emergency C-section. But I had to beg everyone to let me persist with a normal delivery, even though I knew all the risks involved.”
Nadhirah’s little Prince Charming – isn’t he just gorgeous?
33 hours of labor — he’s here!
“My baby finally decided he wanted to come out. As I was pushing him out, I got to see what was happening down there due to the reflection from the light above the doctor’s head.
“I also saw nurses and doctors from the neonatal ICU pushing in the incubator and preparing themselves for the worst. I was ready.
“He was finally out! After 33 long hours of labour, weighing 2.5kg and thankfully with no signs of infection!
“Since the day he was born until today, I still jump out of the bed in the middle of the night to make sure my son is still breathing and alive.
“And now that he is 1 year old, I cannot imagine my life without him, had I lost him.”
Let this sunny smile remind all expecting mums to never give up and fight for what you want when it comes to the birth of your child!
Nadhirah’s message to other parents
“My point of sharing this story is because I would love all expecting mums to know, whatever you go through during pregnancy, fight when the day comes. Nothing is impossible.
“As for husbands, giving moral and emotional support throughout your partner’s pregnancy journey is what makes it all perfect.
“There may be times you want to cry with her when she is sad, but just hold back those tears and be strong for her sake.
“You may not know it. But your strength will give her the courage to face anything in her pregnancy, labour and birth journey — even the unknown.”
We hope Nadhirah’s story touched you as it did all of us at theAsianparent.com.
Did you find Nadhirah’s birth story inspiring? Feel free to share it if you do!