February 2021

Mummy number 18 contacted me sometimes in November 2020, shortly after her family moved to Colombo from the South of the island, to give their nearly 4 years old daughter Gigi opportunity to start preschool. Pregnancy was enjoyable throughout with no problems and the only stress causing her was: “Who will babysit out first born daughter when I am in labour?” As it happened, it was me. 

I met the whole family on a few occasions to get to know their daughter as all her life she has never been left with any other adult to look after her due to the nature of their way of life and traveling around the world. I loved spending time with her. Her energy, her communication skills, her creativity and imagination were wonderful.

Mum was expecting this pregnancy to go to 42 weeks like the first one and she was right. She had to be induced, which posed even bigger potential problem of childcare. However, it all worked out just fine.

The first day of induction was a day of relaxing and waiting for something to happen, while Gigi was at school. A night in the hospital waiting for labour to start was an adventure for us all, especially for Gigi. I think she though we were staying in a hotel.  The second morning, once Gigi gone to school, mummy was taken to delivery suite to be put on the hormonal drip, with her husband by her side.   I was waiting in a separate room where they allowed me to stay until called. 

I swapped places in the delivery suite with husband at 14.45 as Gigi was coming from school at that time so he wanted to spend some time with her. I gave Mummy a massage, chanted some positive and encouraging affirmations and would you believe, a baby boy weighing 4.1kg was born at 16.11. I quickly ran up into the room to babysit Gigi and to swap with Daddy so he could cut the cord.  I then waited before they were reunited with their daughter, now a proud big sister 3 hours later.  By then I had pretty colorful stickers all over me and have never eaten so many rice cakes in my life!

Baby Nicholas was doing really well, and they spent two more nights in the hospital before being discharged.  A hospital staycation I call it.

I saw them at home on day 7 and the family was adjusting into a new routine nicely. Baby Nicholas became the youngest member of the IEA (International Expat Association) when he came with mummy to the social get together in March.

What a journey.  I am privileged to say that I played a very important part in the birth of this new family member using various of my skills.

Congratulations.

They presented me with a beautiful gift from Spa Ceylon ; a 14 day calendar with gift for each day.  How sweet, and how lucky I am. 

Rennie