Bean's Welcome Party

After a long Thursday night without any sleep, D's hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) made a final appearance. Four bouts of projectile vomiting later, the contractions began. We called the hospital, and they advised us to come in for a quick check to ensure that Bean was alright, with the expectation that we’d be sent home shortly after.

We set off, walking past the hospital bags that had been packed and waiting by the door for six weeks, anticipating a brief visit and then a return home. Little did we know, the next time we’d cross our threshold, it would be many days later, with little Zeb in our arms.

At the hospital, a quick examination revealed that D was already significantly dilated, and the midwife informed us that we should stay. Unfortunately, there were no available beds at OLVG Oost, so plans were made to transfer us by ambulance across the city to OLVG West. Just as we were about to leave, a stroke of luck - a large birthing suite became available, allowing us to remain in the same building.

D donned her eye mask, we called the doula, and began preparing the birthing pool.

Throughout the labour, D shifted between various positions on the bed, while Jake applied counter pressure to her shoulders and lower back. D took a bath, received a shot of oxytocin, and tried Remifentanil before finally opting for an epidural. Unfortunately, the epidural wasn’t as effective as we’d hoped.

D frequently inquired about Zeb, wanting reassurance that he was doing well and that his heart rate was steady. Each time, she would then refocus inward, directing her thoughts towards Zeb.

During the pushing phase, D summoned an extraordinary strength, drawing on a deep reservoir of power to bring Zeb into the world.

With Florence and the Machine's "You've Got the Love" playing on repeat, D gave birth to Zeb. Surrounded by Jake, Marijn the doula and the medical team, D asked if everyone would cheer her on - and we did. The release and joy when Zeb was born were indescribable.

He arrived on 4th June 2022 at 11:31pm... and life has never been the same since with our little miracle boy!

We remained in the hospital for a few days, gathering strength before returning home to begin the next chapter.