11 July 2008 (Fri) :
3.30pm : Didn’t feel right the whole day. Right eye twitching and feel baby’s movements not as active as usual. Decided to visit Dr Wong at the clinic.
3.30pm : Didn’t feel right the whole day. Right eye twitching and feel baby’s movements not as active as usual. Decided to visit Dr Wong at the clinic.
5.00pm : Reached clinic and was put on CTG (Cardiotocography - a record of the fetal heart rate) for half an hour. Baby’s heart beat ok. Initially scared by the clinic nurse cos she could not detected baby’s heartbeat on the CTG. I was silent. After few minutes of searching, we finally found, I felt relieved after that.
5.30pm : Dr Wong then sent me to the Fetal Assessment Unit to do a detailed Doppler scan – Scan showed that there’s a umbilical cord coiled round baby’s neck (1 round) and baby’s position changed from her original "engaged" position to lateral position. I was feeling very down and depressed. I do not know what I have done wrong again. I tried hard to suppress my emotion.
6.30pm : Returned to Dr Wong’s clinic. Discussed about delivery options with her. We have decided bring her out earlier than my estimated due date (9 August 2008) as worry baby might hurt herself in my womb as the cord is round her neck. I became paranoid and starts to cry when hubby i saw my hubby. Was told that I will need to be given 2 jabs on my tights to strengthen baby’s lungs as baby will be premature at 36 weeks.
7.00pm : Admitted into TMC. Stayed in the observation ward. Was put onto the CTG for constant monitoring. Given the first injection on my right tight, wow, SUPER PAINFUL. Almost cried. Was told that this injection was a oil based injection thus will be more painful compared to normal jabs.
Dunno why just cannot get to sleep. Sister Grace Au came in and chatted with me for awhile to ease my tension. There was no television in the observation ward. Luckily she offered me a mini DVD with Mr Bean’s DVDs so that I am able to distract myself and sleep.
1.00am + : Dr Wong came to see me. I couldn’t sleep at all. She told the nurse to remove the CTG straps for 3 hours so that I am able to catch some sleep. Despite removing the straps, I couldn’t sleep at all too. I stayed awake until the next morning. Nurse Nopiah came in and speak in a very stern voice “Go wash up, faster come out ah, do not deli dali ah”. Despite her stern appearance, Nurse Nopiah was very nice, She gave me the 2nd jab on my left tight and gosh, its worst than the frist jab! Super Super painful. She hold my hand and said “Its ok, dun worry, the pain will go away. I am so sorry, I hate to give this jab as I know its very painful”. I have to keep wriggling my toes and gently move my legs so that the medicine will spread quickly and not concentrated on the tight area
12 July 2008 (Saturday) :
12++ - Hubby brought Xavier to visit me at the observation ward. The nurses were nice enough to allow him entry into the ward as by right ONLY HUSBAND allowed, not children. Xavier sang songs and talked to little baby in my tummy. He told her “can you please turn head down but please be careful of the long long thing, dun let it catch you” – The long long thing here refers to the umbilical cord. Guess Xavier is bored as there’s basically nothing for him to do at the ward, no TV, no games. Hubby sent him back around 3.30pm.
Dr Wong came around 5 plus. Before making the delivery option, she did a check on me.
If baby turn head down, she will be inducing me and I will try for normal delivery
If baby did not turn, will then schedule for c-section on Sunday morning, unless emergency eg : baby distress
Fortunately, baby really turn head down! I can try for normal delivery! She did a VE(Vagina Examination) for me and gosh, Its painful, how come I didnt notice that pain when I gave birth to Xavier?
I was allowed to be unstrapped from the CTG monitoring for awhile. I quickly went for a quick bath and wash my hair. After which, Nurse Grace and Nurse BiBi came in and I had a nice chat with them. Nurse Grace was very nice to blow my hair for me, wow, she’s a senior sister leh!!
Around 6+, Dinner Time!! Although hospital food are not that delicious but its sufficient to satisfy my hunger. I finished my dinner quickly. Started to lie on the bed and read some magazine. Suddenly, I felt the urge to go toilet. The feeling was as though having a bad stomach upset. I realised that it could be labour pain. I tried to rest on bed, but realised I cant! Why isn’t there any nurse coming into the observation ward?
As the counter is just outside, I slowly make my way out. I told the nurse, I feel pain, I NEED epidural. They told me to wait at the observation ward. They probably think its not that painful as I still can walk. After 5 minutes, I walked out again. I told them “hey, I really cannot wait, very painful”. They looked at me and said “try to endure, no labour ward at this moment’.
Around 6+, Dinner Time!! Although hospital food are not that delicious but its sufficient to satisfy my hunger. I finished my dinner quickly. Started to lie on the bed and read some magazine. Suddenly, I felt the urge to go toilet. The feeling was as though having a bad stomach upset. I realised that it could be labour pain. I tried to rest on bed, but realised I cant! Why isn’t there any nurse coming into the observation ward?
As the counter is just outside, I slowly make my way out. I told the nurse, I feel pain, I NEED epidural. They told me to wait at the observation ward. They probably think its not that painful as I still can walk. After 5 minutes, I walked out again. I told them “hey, I really cannot wait, very painful”. They looked at me and said “try to endure, no labour ward at this moment’.
"Do you think I can wait? I cannot already!" Luckily, there was 1 avaliable room (just completed delivery and they are in the midst of clearing up). I told them to call the anaesthesiologist concurrently. At this stage, the pain was more intense. I started to shiver and the shivering was really bad! The nurse told me to try the laughing gas. Although I do get high after inhaling but the pain just don’t go away. After putting on the CTG strap, I was told that my contractions are 1 ~ 2 minutes apart, that explain the pain!! I keep asking for the anaesthesiologist. The nurse told me “ok, coming, coming..5 more minutes” But I was super distressed. I told them cannot wait already. They then make the preparation first eg : Signing of indemnity form and injecting my left hand for the drip.
Finally the anaesthesiologist came! The moment he came in, I felt as if an angel had arrived! As I was very distressed, I have caused the spinal needle to break. He told me that I have to relax if not he cannot administer the drip for me! The pain does not lessen after the epidural, I was told that I have to wait for 30 minutes before the effect kick in. My shivering increased after administering the epidural, probably due to the dosage. Hubby reached after the epidural had been administered so he didnt see my distressed stage.
Having Epidural
An epidural involves medication given by an anesthesiologist through a thin, tube-like catheter that's inserted in the lower back and then into the area just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord (called the epidural space). Need to lie on your side with your back arched while the doctor inserts the epidural.
Having Epidural
An epidural involves medication given by an anesthesiologist through a thin, tube-like catheter that's inserted in the lower back and then into the area just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord (called the epidural space). Need to lie on your side with your back arched while the doctor inserts the epidural.
Once the epidural is in place, you may still feel the pressure of contractions, although you shouldn't feel the pain. Actually, being aware of your contractions, if even a little, helps once you start to push.
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Around 9 plus - Dr Wong came. She did a check for me for baby’s position. We pray that she won’t last minute change her position, if not I will have to undergo c-section. Baby still maintained at head down position. Dr Wong broke my water bag so that with lesser water in me, her position might be maintained as she does not have any spaces in my womb. At this time, I was only 2 cm dilated. Dr Wong estimated that I might give birth around 2am to 3am. I was exhausted, the shivering was still there. I just know that I am very tired and I was hopping to catch some sleep.
Poor hubby have to sit besides me with his notes on, he have to prepare for his exam.
I rested till 11.45pm where the nurse suddenly came in and asked me to inhale OXYGEN. I felt something amiss but nurse assured me that things were ok. "Is my baby in distress"? I asked, why do I have to inhale oxygen?
I rested till 11.45pm where the nurse suddenly came in and asked me to inhale OXYGEN. I felt something amiss but nurse assured me that things were ok. "Is my baby in distress"? I asked, why do I have to inhale oxygen?
The PUSH
Pressure, pressure, pressure was all I could manage to mumble. I felt tremendous pressure down there, is baby making her way out? Maybe!! I got scared again, I quickly informed the nurse and yes, I am already 10cm dilated! Baby is making her way out soon, the head can be seen! The nurse quickly called Dr Wong.
I was worry, worry baby might not be able to wait for Dr Wong as I felt tremendous pressure and urge to PUSH her out. The nurse was holding one hand, my Husband the other, I was scared, but I knew they were there. I wasn’t waiting this time, my urge to push was so intense, I was so worry "What if Dr Wong is not able to make it on time"? the nurse told me, "we are having this baby with or without your gynae, do not worry"!! I didn’t have to wait this time, I wouldn’t have anyway. I needed my hubby there, don’t leave me alone, even a metre was too far.
I was worry, worry baby might not be able to wait for Dr Wong as I felt tremendous pressure and urge to PUSH her out. The nurse was holding one hand, my Husband the other, I was scared, but I knew they were there. I wasn’t waiting this time, my urge to push was so intense, I was so worry "What if Dr Wong is not able to make it on time"? the nurse told me, "we are having this baby with or without your gynae, do not worry"!! I didn’t have to wait this time, I wouldn’t have anyway. I needed my hubby there, don’t leave me alone, even a metre was too far.
Before I knew it Dr Wong arrived, strong contraction I moaned. I was ready to push. I called upon every bit of strength I had, I could feel my babies head, her shoulders moulding inside of me, there was no burning as some people describe, just pressure, an intense pressure. Dr Wong teached me the breathing method. After 3 pushes, Little Allivier is OUT!! Welcome to the world!! I have waited for her for so long..8 months!! Despite her magical screaming all I could think of over and over is, is she alive? Is she alive? Is she alive?
I cuddled her immediately she is out. I remember I cried when I first saw her. Little Allivier looks so beautiful. I thank god for giving me a crying baby this time round. I had done it, I have, an alive baby, I could barely comprehend it. I should have known everything would be ok with Gabriel as my guardian angel.
I cuddled her immediately she is out. I remember I cried when I first saw her. Little Allivier looks so beautiful. I thank god for giving me a crying baby this time round. I had done it, I have, an alive baby, I could barely comprehend it. I should have known everything would be ok with Gabriel as my guardian angel.
Baby Allivier's Pediatrician, Dr Koey was on the standby. My fear has not ended. everyone is worry as Baby Allivier is still consider premature despite arriving at week 36. I don't have the opportunity to cuddle her for very long as she has to brought to the special care to be monitored for one night.
Questions that were going round my mind :
'Will she need to be poke by those scary tubes"?
'Will she need to be on oxygen"?
"Can she be back to the nursery or will she be in the ICU"?
I could'nt sleep at all when I was back to my ward. My mind was filled with image of Baby Allivier. I hope I can see her tomorrow...
I could'nt sleep at all when I was back to my ward. My mind was filled with image of Baby Allivier. I hope I can see her tomorrow...
