On May 1st, couple minutes after 9 pm, at our hospital in Berkeley, our second daughter, Maya came into the world. She was born four days past her due date, which was a surprise to me, as I had imagined that she would be early. But after all we hadn’t planned on naming her April:)
Her birth was super fast. She was making up for lost time. The week before the birth of Maya, a couple of times we visited the so-called triage, or the waiting-before being admitted room, because I had a feeling that something was about to start. Twice, however, we were sent home. For the third time it was clear that this something was really happening! Stronger contractions finally jumped in after eating a spicy pizza at home while Rose slept peacefully in bed.
On the way to the hospital, Dean had to even run a red light (very carefully while honking) in order to arrive as soon as possible. Because after two failed attempts, I was afraid that once again, I would not be admitted, Dean made a story that we would wait in the parking lot in front of the hospital and see how regular and strong my contractions were. When we arrived, however, I had no more doubts and somehow managed to drag myself inside.
Almost as soon, as we arrived at the triage, the nurses told me: congratulations, you are going to have a baby! I also agreed to an epidural. After short time, I was taken to a room where I was about to give birth. On the way the nurse asked me discreetly, whether I was the victim of domestic violence! I imagine, she had to ask this question to patient, as I don’t think I had the look.
In the labour room fortunately I got some painkillers. The staff helped me with breathing out through contractions. When the anesthesiologists were preparing to administer the epidural, Maja decided to show up even faster, and 90 minutes after being admitted to the hospital we were already looking at her sweet face and, to my suprise, very dark hair! She weighed 4 kg, about half a kilogram more than the newborn Rose ! Neither Maja nor I were very tired from giving birth. Everyone around cheered me: You did so well! 🙂
As a reward I got a turkey sandwich, a drink and some fruit.
Later, I was wheeled, wrapped in a warm blanket, to the postpartum ward. Smile and pride did not leave my face. The room was not as modern as in San Francisco hospital, and there was also more noise in the corridor (the local favorites Golden State Warriors game was on TV).
The first night with at the hospital was as a relaxing stay in the hotel, because I did not have epidural, I soon came to myself. I could spend all day without remorse in bed. The night after labour, I asked the nurse for a pepsi, and Dean got me couple of snickers bars 🙂 This is the way to labour!
Maya was very calm at the hospital. For now, as long she is full with milk, it hasn’t changed:)
In my opinion, The Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley is a very good hospital. Even the meals were fine, except for porridge, and coffee for breakfast. The staff was professional and unlike San Francisco, gave me more rest. I did not have to explain more than necessary my family’s health history.
For a hospital delivery in Berkeley, we had to pay about $6,000 after insurance, roughly the same as the birth in San Francisco.
This time round, I did not even have one home doctor visit. I only received a call from the hospital to ask me if everything was fine and how the breastfeeding is going. My gynecologist wrote to me that since I am feeling good, a home visit is not needed. I only have to schedule an after six weeks labour visit.
However, Maya has already been twice examined by a pediatrician. Fortunately, she is healthy as a fish.
How is it to have two children with a small age difference? As my friend from Warsaw wrote to me: it’s the worst and the best at the same time 🙂 I will add that, maybe in too much of an American style: Rose is like a birthday cake every day, and Maya is its best in the world topping. Rose certainly needs more time to get used to the new home situation. Sometimes she gives Maya kisses, or she holds her hand, but sometimes she is jealous and demands more attention.
How will we manage without my mother, we shall soon see!
Fortunately, our beloved Babi, who is already a typical Berkeley Grandma, is still visiting. She takes Rose out to the playgrounds, the reading rooms, to Dominican Mass. She has no problems driving the car on the American streets. She bakes oatmeal cookies, cooks Polish soup – she simply helps with everything.
On Sunday, May 14th, we celebrated Mother’s Day. It happened that it was the same day Rose two years old. On this occasion we went for the first time together for ice cream. As for the first outing, everything went very well. I am adding some pictures of our unique outing.
xxx