This is a long overdue post but I guess better late than never. This is the birth story of our first baby whose EDD was on 29 November 2009 but he came 2 weeks earlier at 37th week.
14th November 2009
It was a Saturday and I had the weekly checkup with my gynae that day. During the scan, my gynae detected a low amniotic fluid and I was told to go to the hospital on the same day to get induced. Although my hospital bag was ready, I was mentally unprepared to give birth that early. My hubby bought dates just before we leave and I ate quite a lot of it to reserve energy for labour. My folks offered to drive us to the hospital that evening. Mom especially wanted to be there to give me moral support.
At the hospital, only my hubby was allowed in. Tears welled in my eyes as I was unable to bid farewell to my folks. I was rather emotional and began to imagine the what ifs. What if anything happens to my baby? What if I don't wake up anymore? A lot was going through my mind.
I was placed in the observation ward, had the usual temperature and blood pressure check and had to change into their hospital gown. At about 9pm, a midwife came and began doing further checks. A belt was strapped around my stomach to monitor for fetal heart rate. Then came the dreaded part; checking cervix! She told me to take a deep breath and relax but I got a rude shock when I realized she was digging inside my V, digging deeper and in search of something. She was actually feeling my baby's head to see whether it had engaged in position. Then an induction pill was inserted. After the whole bloody process the midwife told me, "Your cervix is good, very soft, can easily dilate..." To me that basically means I was near to labour. My gynae finally came and I was happy that he took over. At least he was gentler. My cervix was checked again and this time a hook-like object was used to burst my waterbag. A gush of water and blood flooded the bed.
"Your baby will be out tomorrow morning! Get some sleep, you will be fine my girl!"
By the time my gynae left, it was midnight.
I was placed in the observation ward, had the usual temperature and blood pressure check and had to change into their hospital gown. At about 9pm, a midwife came and began doing further checks. A belt was strapped around my stomach to monitor for fetal heart rate. Then came the dreaded part; checking cervix! She told me to take a deep breath and relax but I got a rude shock when I realized she was digging inside my V, digging deeper and in search of something. She was actually feeling my baby's head to see whether it had engaged in position. Then an induction pill was inserted. After the whole bloody process the midwife told me, "Your cervix is good, very soft, can easily dilate..." To me that basically means I was near to labour. My gynae finally came and I was happy that he took over. At least he was gentler. My cervix was checked again and this time a hook-like object was used to burst my waterbag. A gush of water and blood flooded the bed.
"Your baby will be out tomorrow morning! Get some sleep, you will be fine my girl!"
By the time my gynae left, it was midnight.
15 November 2009
Hubby was asked to leave since I needed to rest. But the nurse eventually let him sleep in next to me since I was the only patient in the ward. I was starting to feel slight menses cramp but it was bearable so I could still sleep. At around 2am, a nurse came to put IV drip on me. That was when the contractions got slightly painful and it was uncomfortable to sleep. At around 4am a nurse inserted enema for me to clear my bowels. As time passed by, the pain was getting more intense and I started to shiver. Hubby put on socks for me, got extra blankets to cover me up yet I was still trembling and my teeth was chattering. By 5.30am, another patient was wheeled in the observation ward. I could hear her crying. The louder she cried, the longer I groaned. By 6am, I was transferred to the delivery suite.
My cervix dilated steadily but slowly. By 7.30am, I was in so much pain and asked for epidural. But the midwife said it was too late as I was almost fully dilated. She said the entonox a.k.a laughing gas might be helpful. I had no choice. I had no idea how much longer I could hold on so I finally succumbed to the laughing gas. The moment I had the mask on, I felt drugged and it momentarily helped me forget about the ordeal I was going through. There was still pain but at least I felt more relaxed.
By 8.30am, the midwife asked me to pee but I could not as my baby's head was already blocking. She then pricked me down there and urine flowed out like waterfall. Few minutes later I felt the sudden urge to pass motion. The pain was somewhat similar to being constipated for weeks and you're about to pass a giant hard stool.
By 8.30am, the midwife asked me to pee but I could not as my baby's head was already blocking. She then pricked me down there and urine flowed out like waterfall. Few minutes later I felt the sudden urge to pass motion. The pain was somewhat similar to being constipated for weeks and you're about to pass a giant hard stool.
"That is the baby coming out. Don't push yet just wait a bit more till you are fully dilated."
"But how long more?? Wuaaarghh!!!"
Just then my gynae came. Just in time.
"You're doing good darling. You are fully dilated. Come it's time to push."
I was still high on entonox and by that time I swear I could not remember anything. The pain was overtaking me and all I could do was to scream for God's mercy. It felt like a dream. Every movement was slow, my speech was slurred and the bright light and movement felt like I was in another dimension. Tihen suddenly hubby removed the gas mask and I heard the midwife's voice called my name and giving instructions.
"But how long more?? Wuaaarghh!!!"
Just then my gynae came. Just in time.
"You're doing good darling. You are fully dilated. Come it's time to push."
I was still high on entonox and by that time I swear I could not remember anything. The pain was overtaking me and all I could do was to scream for God's mercy. It felt like a dream. Every movement was slow, my speech was slurred and the bright light and movement felt like I was in another dimension. Tihen suddenly hubby removed the gas mask and I heard the midwife's voice called my name and giving instructions.
"When you feel the contraction, take a deep breath, lift your head up and pussshhhhh!!!!"
I was feeling tired and my lips were very dry but I was determined to get it over and done with. I pushed as hard as I could and then I felt a warm sensation down there. Hubby spurred me on.
"A little bit more, our baby's head is out!"
I was hyperventilating already but when another wave of contraction came, I took a deep breath and pushed as hard as I could with all my strength and out baby came, sliding out of me. What a huge relief!! Miraculously the unbearable pain was gone right after the birth. The midwife pressed and massaged my stomach and out came the placenta. While my gynae stitched me up I was too exhasuted for words but I heard midwives talking to one another.
"She is very strong. No epidural. Very brave."
Woah suddenly giving birth makes me feel like a heroine.
Born on 15 November 2009 at 9.51am weighing 2.785kg and 48cm long. Certainly worth all the pain, tears and sweat, truly an unforgettable experience.
