A flashback on 22nd June 2007.

Salam,

22nd June 2007- Four years ago, Hafizah bt. Ariff was born in the land of the long white cloud; New Zealand. We were residing in Hamilton, NZ because my hubby had to do his phd degree in Waikato University. That morning right after the Fajr prayer, I felt some strong contractions. Few minutes after the prayer, the water just broke. I told my hubby to call the midwife; Claire and informed her about my condition. We quickly got ready to go to Hamilton East Birth Centre.

In Hamilton East Birth Centre, Claire brought me to one of the labour room. When she checked, she said that she could already feel one of Hafizah's feet. She told me that she didn't want to take any risks. So, she had to bring me to Waikato Hospital. Somebody had to take care of Fathini since my hubby had to follow my midwife's car to the hospital. My hubby sent Fathini to one of Malaysian families. They had promised to take care of her.

At the hospital,  I felt so cold because I was just wearing "kain batik" and a long-sleeved t-shirt. It was during the cold day in winter and Hamilton was quite cold with the temperature of 4 degree Celsius. Once I was wheeled to the labor room, my midwife came with another doctor who was on duty for that day. She explained about my history and also the dangerous situation that I was having. She also asked my permission if it was okay for a trainee doctor to be in the room as well. That trainee was from Malaysia and she was just there to observe and learn some things. My midwife and the doctor were still considering the other option which was a caesarian labour when I was having regular contractions. They already prepared an operation theater for me. My hubby had called his mom that we might need to borrow some money if I had to deliver Hafizah with caesarian labour. The cost might be up to NZD10,000.00 (which was about RM25,000.00!).

When I felt that it was almost time for Hafizah to come out, I told my hubby to alert my midwife and the doctor. They quickly cancel the plan to bring me to the operation theater as they could see Hafizah's left foot. They performed a breech and everything happened so fast. It was not so easy but after some pushes, Hafizah was born the opposite way from what a normal delivery. After only 2 hours in the labour room, she was born as a healthy baby. The first thing that the doctor and my midwife commented was, "She has so much hair!". Well, they was amazed with her hair since most Kiwi babies were born with very little or no hair at all.  

Why am I sharing this experience today? YES! It's Hafizah's birthday and she turns 4 today. I can't believe that it has been 4 years and she is growing taller and smarter everyday. She is so talkative now and she can be quite stubborn too when she has made up her mind on something. I wish and pray that she'll grow up to be a good daughter, good muslim and decent human being.