On the night Pina was born
On the night Pina was born, 3 days of more intense contractions had already passed after 4 days of initial contractions. Clarissa has again proven that the women's team is the most powerful in humanity. I called Clarissa's father at around 12:30 a.m. on June 26, 2023. I called the midwife team. I called the doula. It was drizzling, and I already knew this would be the day. Minutes later, I called the Uber. Clarissa didn't think she could make it down the second-floor stairs of our house on St. Clarens Ave., but we made it. I asked the driver to wait as my pregnant wife was getting off. He had already driven his pregnant wife to the hospital to deliver their child, so we had an expert behind the wheel.
Me, Clarissa and Vera (doula) got in and off we went. On our way, from our street, past Bloor West, Roncesvalles Avenue, Geoffrey St and Sunnyside Ave, all the lights were red. Uber went very slowly to compensate for the unevenness of the asphalt.
Meanwhile, Clarissa gave Vera guidance on decisions in the midst of childbirth. The umbilical cord, placenta, anesthesia… Vera corrected the Uber course for faster arrival. And the buddy here was writing on his cell phone not to forget the details of this text. We arrived at 2:30 am at the hospital. The maternity entrance is closed at night. But the midwives must welcome us and open the door. Jemal, our official Ethiopian midwife, was in the middle of another birth and was slow to show up. Vera went around the hospital to go through another door and open it from the inside. But Jemal arrived first after a call from me.
We entered uncharted territory guided by Jemal, and Clarissa was accommodated in room 14. Our midwife in action, Jemal's replacement, who took over as coordinator, arrived and forwarded the activities, while Vera also appeared after Jemal opened the hospital corridors for her.
A very objective attendant scolded me for not wearing a mask before we started Clarissa's registration process at the hospital. Meanwhile, Clarissa prepared and was prepared for the battle she would face. Natural birth is not for everyone. After attaching heart rate monitors to her and “Pina,” the coordinated contractions and collective effort began. All attentive, engaged and focused, not necessarily at the same time. Clarissa tested several positions until lying on her back, which would be how Pina was born. It took several contractions for her to come out. When she came out at 4:30 a.m., she was wrapped around the umbilical cord 3x and clinging to it with one hand. A mother's belly is something good.
I accompanied Pina through the subsequent procedures, while Vera accompanied Clarissa. All right with the girls, who could hug each other. We would be released after Clarissa underwent a general check-up and received the placenta. I called Sarah, who had our baby seat in the car. To leave the hospital with a newborn, you must prove to the person in charge that you can transport him safely.
We left the hospital at 7:30 a.m., probably breaking some Olympic record for time in a maternity ward.
Each of my two children has changed me in ways I can't explain. I am less part of everything and more part of the whole. I have less value in myself and more value in my surroundings. I feel the things farthest from me and observe them affectionately as they are closer. I wanted all of this before I even knew it. And now I know that's what I wanted.