And lo and behold, the due date had passed, even though we (the doctor and I) expected to give birth any time after 38 weeks. On the second pregnancy, you inevitably compare it to the first. The little girl was already well developed too, plus we’d had a few false contractions.
But let’s talk about BIG DAY. Tuesday evening 28.07.2020, after I put Rareș to bed, Dragos and I took advantage of some time together and watched a movie. It was past midnight, and I said, let’s go to bed, it’s late. Around 00:30 I had a strong contraction, to which Dragos tells me: are you ok? Am I still going to sleep, or are we going to the hospital? Laughing I replied: no, I don’t think I’m giving birth :)) And indeed, it was just a contraction. But at 3:10 I wake up to another contraction. I was sweaty and sleepy. I went to the bathroom and said: let’s take a quick shower and then I’ll wake Dragos if I have to. In between contractions I also washed my head 
, then I realised that the pain was already too much and the interval too short (compared to my first pregnancy, where contractions started at 2am, and I didn’t leave for the hospital until 7:30am).
This time, at 4:00 am, I was on my way to the Regina Maria maternity ward. We stayed close, plus there was no traffic at the time, so we were quick. When we arrived at the scene, I told Dragos to take my last belly picture. 
I was getting melancholy already, but very anxious to meet our wonder.
My contractions, which were already very strong, were rushing me. I hugged and kissed my husband, who this time couldn’t/have permission, to be by my side, and with tears in my eyes, which I could hardly hide from him, I told him that I loved him and that I was a little scared… but that we were ready (me and the little girl).
Being a spontaneous (natural) birth I didn’t know when the big event would be, so I started to keep taking my Covid 19 test, lest I somehow get caught “uncovered”. Why do I say that? Even if I opted for the rapid test once I got to the maternity ward, by the time I got the result I was “treated” as infected. Which meant I couldn’t see my kid for more than a few seconds… There was no way I could accept this scenario, so I kept doing it from the moment I thought the baby girl might come into the world (the test is valid for 72 hours).
On Tuesday ( the day before I gave birth) I had my 4th already, negative obviously. So on Wednesday morning I went into the maternity ward alone, went to the first reception followed protocol (disinfected, filled in chart + took temperature) then went to the next reception to be registered. I could see Dragos through the window looking after me, until the last moment… I was trying not to let myself get overwhelmed with emotions and drama, and focus my energy on what was about to happen. This experience proved to me again, that we mothers have an inner strength, out of the ordinary 
.
I went into the on-call room for monitoring, a doctor came in to see me, and I went to the delivery room. I was fully dilated, contractions painful and regular, so ready for action as they say. I couldn’t believe how fast it was all happening. I kept comparing it to my first pregnancy when labor lasted 14 hours vs 2 hours. I took my phone with me and I managed to send a picture to Dragos, worth a thousand words: it was the door that said “delivery room”
My doctor had arrived and it was good to see his face. I just texted her, as from the pain of more I didn’t feel up to it, but was called/announced, by staff. It all happened too fast this time. Anyway, I wasn’t panicking at all, I knew it would be okay in the end. She was the MAN who was there for me through my first pregnancy and birth, and thankfully she was there with me on this day too.
My water also broke shortly after I entered the delivery room. With Rareș I was challenged. There were so many elements that were identical to the first birth, starting from the doctor of course, the delivery room, to the delivery room, even the room/ ward, were the same, but at the same time so many details that were totally happening in a different order. I was filled with excitement and the intensity with which I lived every second.
With Mrs. Aura (midwife) and Dr. Carmen Constantinescu, we made a good team and managed to bring Ana into the world. I squeezed so hard on the iron handles of the bed that I literally felt like I had twisted them. Some pains hard to describe in words, but I was so physically and mentally prepared that my approach was so calculated and controlled. I didn’t get an epidural this time (I did at my first birth). I managed to push and cooperate with the doctor during a contraction. On the first pregnancy I needed more ( exactly one hour) That’s it. Every pregnancy is different, even in the same body 🙂
They put my little girl on my chest from the first seconds of her life. I looked at her with tears of happiness and forgot everything for a moment. It was just me with her. I thought that painting was unreal beautiful. I looked at her and it was like she was feeding my soul with such love and kindness. So. Our dear Ana chose to come into the world on a beautiful summer day: on Wednesday, 29.07.2020, at 5:12 am, through a spontaneous (natural) birth weighing 3,720 grams, at Regina Maria Maternity Hospital, with Dr. Carmen Constantinescu by her side. 
While she was on my chest, I asked the nurse to take some pictures of me.
Right after that, I also called Dragos and sent pictures to the family. We were all very excited. My mouth was up to my ears with happiness and an extraordinary energy :)) After 2 hours we were both reunited in the lounge, and she sat with me full-time, breastfeeding exclusively.
As with Rareș, I chose the Regina Maria maternity hospital. The exceptional service, made me turn to them again, especially since for me this event is one where I want to feel safe and not miss anything for me and my child.
Delicious food, more than enough. Every hour they came and asked me if I needed anything, disinfected me, always brought me water and tea.
We also had breastfeeding counselling and a psychologist before discharge. I enjoyed the two days when it was just me and Ana, I held her to my chest, I talked to her, I sang to her, and I thanked God over and over again for bringing her to my arms in good health!
After 2 days, I got the ok for discharge. Dragos was impatiently waiting for me outside the maternity ward. I could read the excitement and joy on his face.
It was also a touching moment when Rares met Ana, and I was brought to tears of happiness (again). Probably in another post we’ll tell you how Rareș got settled with Ana, how all 4 of us actually got settled.
For now I’m taking every minute as it comes, enjoying my family and recovering slowly 🙂
See you soon,
AB
