Blessed Girl's Diary: The Birth Story

Have been so swamped with chores since Baby C's arrival. Everything revolves around Baby C's schedule, I hardly have time for myself. But I'm really enjoying motherhood. It's such an immense joy to watch Baby C grows each day and to be part of it. Despite all the sleepless nights, Baby C is such a wonderful blessing :)

So, after a month, I've finally going to blog about the Birth Story.

I was scheduled to be induced on the 23rd July 2010.
Adrian and I checked into Mt. Alvernia hospital at 0000Hr. We checked in via the A&E department. The friendly nurse at the entrance whisked a wheelchair for me immediately upon hearing I was there for delivery. Perhaps they were expecting a screaming and yelling mad woman howling out in pain anytime soon, just as was seen on TV! I had to reassure them that "It's really ok, I'm here for a scheduled induction, I'm perfectly ok to walk to the labour suite!"

Moments before leaving for the hospital

While waiting to admit, we were told that there isnt any single or double bedder available in the maternity wing. The only available room was a four-bedder. We had made a booking earlier, having been told that 23rd July is probably the "lull period" for the hospital, we chose the particular day to be induced. I guess it was a hot date for babies to check into the world!

Adrian was insistent on having a single suite, since there was none, he told the nurse promptly that we would come back the next day instead for the induction. I for one was totally HORRIFIED. I was so prepared mentally to give birth that I told my husband on the that even if there is only a manger left, I'm still going for it!

The nurses were very nice and converted a single suite at the pediatric ward for me.
Having settled all the paper work, we begun our 22 Hr labour process!

1am:
I was given my first dose of Prostoglandin

For those who are wondering, Prostaglandin is a hormone-like substance, which helps stimulate uterine contractions. The nurse inserted a tablet containing prostaglandin into the vagina to ripen the cervix. Urghhh trust me, the process is no-fun at all! I went to sleep right after that, having told to expect a 2cm dilation in the morning. Apart from the slight contraction and discomfort, it was an uneventful night.

7am:
I was again given a second dose of Prostoglandin when there isnt any dilation at all, 0cm! I was getting a little distressed at this point. The discomfort and the long wait is wearing me emotionally. The constant Vaginal Examination (VE) was uncomfortable and painful. I'm wondering when is the ordeal gonna end.

10am:
Dr Wong came to check on me. The VE was so painful that I cried in pain uncontrollably. Dr Wong was really surprised at the emotional outburst and he ordered epidural for me.

11am:
Dr Pay, the anesthesiologist came and administer epidural. I was so grateful for some form of pain relief. She was calm, collected and very reassuring

2pm:
Dr Wong came to do another check. He burst my water bag. I was so traumatized by his first VE that I cried upon seeing him walking through the labour suite's door. I think he was rather taken aback, not expecting himself to have traumatized a patient so badly.
2cm dilated at this point (Phew!!!). Was told to expect delivery around midnight.

I really think epidural is God's greatest gift to women!
The long wait before the final push was uneventful. I wasn't aware that I couldnt take any food or beverage after epidural was administered so it was a HUNGRY wait. I will be more prepared the next time.

Within the 7 hours before the final push, we heard 4 babies checked out in the other delivery suits. Their loud wails resonated throughout the suite and are sweet to the ears, and we were more anxious and excited to meet Baby C.