Every mom has a different version of their story to motherhood. Or havenât we all heard of women who delivered safely on their own while others labored for days? Â
For Carolina, hers was a journey with its own set of challenges, but one that has given her a sense of purpose in life. All the morning sickness and even the indescribable labor pain she got, is totally worth the gift of life she brought to the world.
Even so, Carolina chose the path that most women will not dare pick unless prompted by lack of an alternative. Instead of normal delivery, she chose to go the cesarean section way. Not even the doctors or her fiancé could convince her otherwise. Not after all she had been through in the labor ward.
Carolina at 8 months
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Baby pooped in the womb
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Ten days post expected date of delivery (EDD), an enthusiastic Carolina picked her maternity bag and headed to Aga Khan Hospital ready to get her baby. There being no signs of labor, she had to be induced. 16 hours after induction, her body still wasn't ready.
âAfter the second induction tablet, I sat down and felt a gush of fluids come out. But it wasnât a clear fluid as was expected. It was greenish in nature and we had to call the midwife to come and check it,â she recalls.
The midwife would only confirm that it was meconium although it was still safe. With all the paranoia of losing her baby to meconium, Carol was already demanding to be taken to the theater. The doctors, however, insisted it was only grade 1 and the CS wasnât necessary yet.
The most painful experience
Carolina and her baby
In the labor ward, she was put on a drip. And this, as she recalls was the most painful experience ever.
âIt got to a point that the contractions got so close together. They were coming in so fast that I couldnât describe where I was feeling pain. I didnât want to be dramatic or scream but I no longer had control over my tears. The pain is indescribable,â says Carolina.
With every contraction, the babyâs heart rate went down and she couldnât imagine losing her baby.
âWith all the pain, the drip, the babyâs heart rate going down, and meconium, I was only at 2cms. Thatâs when I decided that giving birth is not supposed to be a punishment. I wasnât going to die or let my baby die. I signed the papers and within 10 minutes, I was in theatre,â she narrates.
Shortly after, her bundle of joy was brought to the world safely. A healthy and lovely Baby Nyla.
Nurse helps Carolina hold her baby
The Pulse Live presenter says, âWhen I saw her, I canât explain what it felt like. It was the sweetest moment, just looking at her and smiling.âÂ
Message to New moms-to-be
Carolina, her fiance and baby Nyla
To the soon to be moms, Carol says, âJust do you. My body is not the same as yours and itâs not going to react like mine. I had tried dancing, taking walks, and eating spicy foods but they didnât work for me. Even after the drip, I couldnât open for more than 2 cms.â
 For one to deliver normally, the cervix should dilate for up to 10 cms. But even after drinking lots raspberry tea, and doing all the things she had been told in order to have a normal delivery, it didnât work for her. She just couldnât open enough to deliver normally.