The birth of my niece, Isla!

Yesterday was a most unforgettable day. I was woken at 6:30, not by my little man, but by a phone call from Adam. Apparently, Lan thought she might be in labour. "It hurts!!", she said. As soon as I heard that, I started making plans. Phil called school and told them he wouldn't be in, I showered and pumped and headed off to Sutherland Hospital with Mum.

Katie, Adam, Mum and I were Lan's support team, but, to be honest, I'm pretty sure they could have done it without me. I felt a bit redundant, not having the midwifery knowledge that Mum and Katie do. I found it incredibly difficult to see my little sister in such pain. I didn't know I'd feel that way. I was stunned by how frustrating helpless, how very despondent and fearful I was feeling. Maybe it was because the pain is still quite real to me, I really empathised, knowing that it would only get worse, knowing she still had to push. It seemed so abjectly unfair — why should my sister have to go through that? Why should anybody? I hate it when midwives carry on about how beautiful and lovely the birth process is — yes, the actual delivery is a moment that can't be matched, but the (in this case, 11 hour lead up) is agonising, fraught and so very, very long. It's horrendous. There's no other word for it, and I would feel negligent in describing it any other way.

Everything started off textbook smooth. Lan laboured at home for about 3 or 4 hours, and was 4cm dilated on arrival. She then jumped in the shower, used the gas, and had a bath, and contractions were strong and regular, but she was coping. Then, much to our surprise and disappointment, we were told she had only progressed 1cm. Upon hearing that, she became slightly defeated, and stressed, and anxious, and, of course, the pain became unbearable, in light of the fact that she still had so much more of it to endure.

But once she hit 6cm, things really took off. Isla was born in the bath, after only 40 minutes of pushing, and her purplish little face let out a big healthy cry almost immediately. Lan's relief was palpable, and there was so much joy in the room. Isla is just perfect — 3550g, 50cm, 34cm head circumference, and a full head of hair. She looks like Adam from the nose down, but has Lan's eyes. She's little and pretty and, most importantly, healthy. I don't know if I'll ever witness a birth ever again — giving birth is just not the same as witnessing it — not sure whether I could. I'll never forget yesterday, and never forget the courage displayed by my beautiful, strong, capable sister.