22 July 2008 - Birth of Baby Kyan So Chuan Zhe
xactly a month ago – 22 July 2008, at this time 6.54pm, I was in the delivery suite at Mount Alvernia Hospital. I had checked in the day before at 6.30pm. Right, I was in the delivery suite for more than 24hours. My dear husband has been by my side for this long.
I remembered by this time, the epidural had caused me so much numbness in my left leg that I had to ask the nurse to reduce. However, the reduction meant that I could sense the contraction. About 15min later, the contraction came. Deep breath, Pant pant blow…etc, tried using the various breathing techniques taught during pre-natal class. Hubby anticipated the waves of contraction from the CTG. After experiencing the labour pain for bout half hour, I asked the nurse to up the epi level. Now and then, the nurse came to check my cervix, with the epidural, I didn’t mind them checking as frequently as they could, cos there’s no sensation for me. I could not wait for the dilation to be completed. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way we expected – cervix to dilate to 10cm by 6pm. At about 7pm, my cervix was only 9cm, 1cm more to go. It took almost another 2 hours to reach 10cm, finally, I was getting closer to delivery!
By 9.30pm, the midwife and another nurse came in to do ‘warm up’ for me. They got me to push. As I was on epi, there was totally no sensation of labour pain. Pushing was a skill. It was futile for me after 45min. I ran out of breath and energy (did not take in any food since 8am, only a pork bun and a bottle of chicken essence to last me the whole day). Finally Dr Fong came, he used vacuum twice, but still no sight of crowning. “baby’s descent is poor”, concluded Dr Fong. I made the decision for C-sect. Immediately, the nurses prepared me for the op. The preparation was fast as everyone knew what to do. Dr Fong was sitting at outside, reading newspaper, I heard from a nurse.
I was shivering throughout, as they prepared me and pushed me to the OT. I felt very groggy, was praying hard that everything would turn out fine. Was also worried that Dr Chong (anesthetist) did not administer enough epi. Dr Fong assured me that I would be alright, and that very soon I would be able to see baby. Dr Terence Tan introduced himself but at that time, I could not really remember him as PD. Dr Fong’s words made me feel safe and comforted but still, my shivering didn’t go away, much as I told myself to relax.
I sensed movement. I asked Dr Chong if they’ve cut me up, he responded matter of factly, that they had already done so. As the doctors were operating on me, they chatted casually. As soon as they caught sight of baby, Dr Chong helped to push from my tummy. Within 10min, I heard baby’s cries. Dr Chong said baby was “Durian Boy”, also asked if I ate durians Mao Shan Wang during my pregnancy. I said durians was my fav.
baby's weight: 3.425kg
That’s the moment of relief and joy. My baby has arrived- time 2229hrs. They bundled him and brought him close to me. Took photo. I forced a smile on my face despite my grogginess. Our first Quan Jia Fu at the OT. Hubby said that baby looked like my FIL.
Soon after, they cleaned me up. literally. It was amazing how they cleaned me up without me having to move myself. Then I was wheeled to the ward. Hubby could not room in cos no more single room.
It was about 11plus pm. Hubby pushed baby’s cot into the room. Baby’s eyes were wide open and alert. He was swaddled in white towel. He looked so small, so clean and so different from the time he was first born. For a moment, I thought hubby brought in the wrong baby! :p
Actually by the time I was in the ward, I was already in the transient state of sleep and awakeness. I forced myself to stay awake. I wanted to see my baby, to initiate the bonding with him. 12plus, hubby left for home. baby returned to nursery. Not long after, I sliiped into slumber.
I t wasnt a night of good sleep. I was startled many times, had recollections of the almost 30hours stay in delivery and subsequent operation in my dreams. Mid night, nurse brought baby to me for BF. It was amazing, baby started to suckle. Nurse helped to faciliate the latching. I praised baby for doing well when he suckled successfully. I felt my maternal instinct then.
A month long of confinement is over. Happy full month to you, baby Kyan!
i am who i am
10:39 PM
