The day of the birth started out as nothing special. Ika and I were in bed and she had a couple of cramps, but nothing crippling. After she had showered she noticed she had a small amount of blood in her urine and was sore. We decided to take a taxi to Puri Bunda hospital in Denpasar, but halfway out of our driveway Ika's cramps got worse. Our neighbor, Kali from Australia, offered us the use of her car and driver. I never actually thought Ika was going to have a birth on this day and when we started to go into 'countdown mode' I was a bit surprised. One thing concerned me. How was a 5ft tall woman with a huge belly going to squeeze that package out. I was hoping for a natural birth as the recovery is much quicker, but thought a Caesarian was at least likely. We have been told that some places push patients to have a Caesarian because the price is much higher.
We arrived and when we got to the hospital the staff advised us to check in, not simply get a check up. She had definitely started the process and it could be today or in a couple of days. Puri Bunda seems modern and clean and Ika said the food is good.
Ika was taken to a bed on the downstairs floor for monitoring and I was shown our private room on the 3rd floor. She had a device attached to her middle to monitor the baby's heartbeat and the nurse would check the diameter of her opening. This diameter increased from 5cm to 7cm within about 2 hours.
Ika's contractions came and went and we just waited out nature's course. We set Ika up in a bed in a small ward with a staff of 3 nurses. Almost straight away Ika's contractions became more regular and she hollered out. I rubbed her back and one of the nurses massaged some other part of her. Ika does not feel comfortable in hospitals and the whole medical equipment thing freaks her out. She asked me to hide any scissors, syringes or needles. "I can see a big pair of scissors." She said. They were actually just the tongs used to pick up the clothes, but did look menacing.
One older senior nurse felt Ika's stomach and said "Its nothing." A younger nurse sat by Ika's side and Ika whispered, "I want you not the fatty nurse." Over the next couple of hours Ika would have periodic contractions and the nurses would encourage her to relax and push a bit, she was in a laying side position all the while.
Our doctor Adam Zakaria, a Muslim, showed up around 3pm to check on Ika and wasted no time. He is very experienced and can tell how a pregnancy is going to go and we both had full confidence in him. Doctor Zakaria examined Ika and for about 20 minutes and said he would be back later.
(IF YOU ARE OFFENDED OR UPSET BY MEDICAL PROCEEDURES DO NOT CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING IMAGES).
Around 5pm Dr. Zakaria was back and teamed up with an older nurse, he on one side, she on the other. Issuing Ika with instructions of not to scream, but to breathe and push they worked very well. Dr. Zakaria popped the water, which drained into a tray then began to work the opening, encouraging Ika, "Bagus Ika, lagi, lagi." (Good Ika, more, more). Ika, who had been hollering in pain and yelling "Sister itu sakit." (Sister that hurts ) really dug it and as the final moments approached there were 2 more junior nurses standing by, rubbing various parts of Ika's body. Around 5.45pm Dr. Zakaria told Ika he was going to give her 15 minutes and after that the birth was going to happen. The time expired and Ika didn't feel like it was the moment, so Dr. Zakaria said "Okay the time has expired but I will give 5 more minutes, then we will have the birth."
Things got going again and Ika started delivering. The Balinese team was speaking in Bahasa and I remember Dr. Zakaria looking up to me over a nurse's shoulder and saying, "Pak Nick, baby coming now." I jumped up and starting snapping photos.
I have never attended a birth before and while it wasn't shocking, it was definitely something that stops time. I think anytime you see someone in great pain and blood getting splashed around it's a bit weird. The nurses gave a simultaneous "Ah bagus!" when the baby started to appear and I was amazed to see Dr. Zakaria pulling a pale little kid, head, chest and legs out of Ika. How all of that fit inside her still blows me away. The way the final 30 seconds went was Dr. Zakaria wasting no time at all and really hauling him out, those little kids are tougher than you might imagine. When he was out Dr. Zakaria was busy fixing the umbilical and poor Ika was pretty much in a state of shock. The nurses carted the baby 20 feet away to be cleaned and weighed, I followed. Straight away he was moving, kicking and grabbing hold of the towel with one hand. I remember thinking when I first saw him that he was just like a little Smeagle from Lord of the Rings, a little pale skinned man who was already looking around. I said "Welcome to the world."
Checking on Ika I could see she was bleeding and Dr.Zakaria set about sowing her up, with help from a nurse. Ika again was in pain and I shielded her eyes from the action as there were syringes and needles going on. The process took about 30 minutes and after that Ika was washed and wrapped up.
The baby was taken to the 2nd floor kids room and when Ika was calm, I asked her if she wanted to see the baby. She closed her eyes and said, "I'm tired." Obviously a massive effort. Ika's relatives showed up later and we all went up to the room, the baby arriving in a cot around 11pm. Ika's mum had told her before the birth, "I can have kids, but I can't watch anyone else have one, I wish you good luck." This was pretty weird, but at least she and the others came when the business was over.
I made sure Ika was okay then went for a walk around the neighborhood. Forget about getting a beer in Denpasar, they don't sell it. I settled for a Coke. I also bought the nurses 2 pizzas to say thank you. We spent the evening with relatives in our room upstairs and Ika got a chance to hold the baby.
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Dude - that was awesome. Chris and I are sitting here in Portland Oregon feeling like we were actually there. Freakin kewl for sure and so glad that Ika, Mr Javon, and you are all good.
congratulation nick and ika for the birth of javon.
Nick, great pix. I’m so glad you made it back in time to witness the coming of your first born.
Ika deserves kudos big time for allowing you to publicly document your most precious moments. Thank you all.
Nick, Those pic’s goop, blood & all are so beautiful…
Barrie I have to say for a woman childbirth is so amazing too & I found it to be a zoning out requiring experience, I am actually looking forward to having this baby… Although the words & accompanying pic’s reminded me all too well… But in the end you have created a human being that noone else can ever do & that is so amazing!!!!
I agree Nick, Ika is a top wife & much respect to you all for documenting it all.
Just spoke to dede & he is so happy for you, I bet his family would get a kick out of seeing you again too… We will definately see you in Nov/Dec!!!! I cannot wait!
Congratulations on your beautiful healthy Boy!
I have been away from my desk for a week so i have just found out you are now officailly a Dad and have had a healthy bundle of joy delivered which is great news. !!
So Nick a big Congragulations to you and Ika…hooray hooray hooray.
Regs Mark S
Thanks Mark and everyone else who commented. Yeah Jevon is a cool little dude and getting bigger every day.
Wow! Nick a dad - I’m speechless. Congratulations, mate. Does he have a passport yet?
Hi Ant, great to hear from you! Yes I finally did it and he’s a nice little bugger.
You’ll have to come visit and I’ll introduce you to my wife Ika.
G’Day Nick,
Damn proud of you mate being there for Ika and being a part of the birth of your son. Yes, it is a beautiful experience to be a part of, but, for a woman giving birth it’s not so beautiful eh!.
Thanks mate for allowing us to be a part of the birth of Jevon albeit through the magic of photography.