Help — the baby’s on the way! - a firsthand experience

The water’s broken? Or your partner’s having those strong, wave-like pains that keep coming back regularly? Then it might just be time — the baby’s on the way!

Whether it’s on the due date, a little early, or fashionably late — it doesn’t really matter. Now it’s happening.

When our first son was born, it all started pretty quietly. My wife had contractions during the night, but they were still irregular. It looked like the usual practice contractions she’d been having over the past few weeks. Around lunchtime, she decided to lie down for a bit. When she woke up, the pain had become much stronger — it was around 2 p.m.

We called the hospital. The midwife suggested my wife take a warm bath — if the contractions didn’t ease up afterward, it could be the real thing.They didn’t ease up. In fact, they came back stronger and more regular. So we called again, and this time they told us to come in for a check. It was 5 p.m.

At the hospital, my wife was hooked up to the monitor and checked. The verdict: real contractions — but still early. They told us to grab something to eat or maybe go back home for a bit. We decided to walk around the hospital instead. It was midsummer and scorching hot outside. My wife didn’t feel like eating — the contractions were already pretty intense.

About an hour later, they were coming every five minutes. We went back — and this time, we got to stay. 6 p.m.

After a while, we were moved to the delivery room. The dilation phase took several hours. I stayed by her side the whole time — massaged her shoulders, gave her water, held her hand. We breathed through each contraction together. I encouraged her after every tough one, helped her to the bathroom, helped her find more comfortable positions. In between, I sent quick updates to the family.She was exhausted. I was too. And then, early in the morning on July 16th, he was here.

Our son.

That moment… it’s impossible to describe.He was lying there, letting out his first cries — small, but strong. And when I got to hold him against my chest after my wife, to feel his breath… that was it. That was the moment it hit me: I’m a dad.

We stayed in the delivery room for another hour or two before moving to the ward. Thankfully, we had booked a family room, so I could stay with my wife and our newborn son.

Completely exhausted, but incredibly happy, we finally lay down to rest.

He’s here. We’re parents.

Then I fell asleep.

Rafael