Flashback Friday: Lauren, This Is Your Birth Story
Dear baby Lauren,
Looking at you sleeping peacefully in your crib now, I could hardly believe you were just in my womb 24 hours ago.
It all started on Thursday morning when I woke up with contractions. You are my first child, so I had always wondered if I could tell the real ones from Braxton Hicks. People had said to me, I can definitely tell once it hits. And yes, I knew. But I was still reluctant to head to the hospital, fearing they might send me home and be disappointed.
I had planned to meet aunty Doris for lunch and shopping in Ion Orchard. I met her at 12pm for prawn mee at Beach Rd, and that was when I started counting the contractions. They were 10 mins apart, lasting about 50 seconds. I wanted to continue with shopping but aunty Doris advised me to give Dr Wee a call first. I told him about my contractions and he asked me to go to his clinic to check it out instead of going straight to the hospital. I called your daddy and told him, “It may be happening today, and I’m going to Dr Wee’s clinic. But don’t leave work yet. I’ll call you when I’m sure.”
When Dr Wee first saw me, he commented that I was either having false contractions or very strong because I looked very relax. I could still joked and laughed in between contractions. I told him it was not very painful and I felt fine. I also told Doris at that point that maybe I could go without epidural. The contractions was bearable. I spoke too soon. After being put on the CTG machine and have my cervix checked, even the doctor was surprised to find that I was already 2.5cm dilated and I was to go to the hospital right away.
Somehow I knew it would take some time before you arrive, I made a stop at Cedele to have a chocolate banana cake. Yes, I have been craving cakes and that was possibly the last time I have a perfect excuse to indulge. I called your dad between mouthfuls of cake; and he was to meet us at the hospital.
I admitted to the antenatal ward upon arriving at Thomson Medical Centre. It was because I wanted be able to walk around instead of being bed-ridden. We spent the rest of the evening just chatting, eating, sharing the good news via whatsapp with your grandma and gu-gu in Sydney and yi-yi in KL.
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| Hanging out at the ward. |
Dr Wee arrived to check on me again at 8pm and found that I was only 3cm dilated. We were given the option to either wait it out (which might take an entire day) or hurry things up by bursting your waterbag or inserting a prostaglandin tablet. Dad and I decided on tablet, which was administered at 9pm. As soon as it was inserted, it felt stingy and the contractions that followed got stronger and more intense. By 10pm, I was crying for epidural.
They immediately transferred me to the labour suite and called the anesthetist. I was writhing and screaming in pain. I held on to the laughing gas mask like it was my lifeline. I had also started shaking uncontrollably. Thankfully your dad was there with me. He offered me his hand to squeeze, massaged my back, wiped my sweat, joked at bad timings, so I laughed in the middle of contractions and forgot about the pain, and held the vomit bowl. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.
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| Mid contraction. That’s daddy’s hand. |
The anesthetist finally arrived at 12:30am and I was given the epidural. My lower body went totally numb but I was still able to wriggle my toes. Weird feeling. From then on, I drifted in and out of sleep, possibly too high from the gas earlier. The nurses continued to monitor my heart rate and contractions every half hour or so.
You dad took this opportunity to get some naps on the couch next to my bed. We shut off all the lights but got told off by the nurse. Apparently some lights has to be left on. Oops!
At 5am, all lights were suddenly switched on and 2 nurses started propping me up to push. They said I was already 10cm dilated. They guided me thru breathing and pushing. I wasn’t sure if I was pushing right but they said they can see the top of your head already. I could feel your head was slowly coming down the birth canal at this point but I had to stop the urge to push until Dr Wee gets there.
Thankfully, Dr Wee arrived just in time and you were born after just 3 pushes!
Baby, I fell in love with you instantly and I promise to continue to always love you and protect you.
Love,
Mommy
PS: Wonder how Lauren looks now? Here are more posts about her.
PPS: If you’ve enjoyed this post, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram @thechillmom.
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My little boy was born on 4.4.2013 @ 0647hrs…
I had no contractions not even waterbag burst.
At that point of time i was 37wks & 2days.
on 3.4.2013, my instincts told me to head down to delivery suit. I feel like he is coming that night and at the same time fetal movement wasnt favourable…
Upon reaching KKH delivery suite at 2300hrs, they did a check and i was 4cm dilated and bleeding which i wasnt aware of and he was doing fine.
Since i was so worried about baby movement as this my first child but 2nd pregnancy. The doctor broke my waterbag at 0045hrs. Doc inform me that it will take at least 7hrs b4 i am fully dilated. At this point of time, i was still able to joke around.
By 2am, the pain was unbearable but i was determine to continue without epidural.
At 3.15am, i was 7cm dilated. at this point of.time, i was crying in pain.
At 3.45am, my husband wasnt able to see me in that condition any longer. He requested for epidural…
At 5am, i was 10cm dilated and fully efaced. started pushing at 5.45am. stop at 6.20am coz i keep getting the technique wrongly.. i practice my breathing for awhile n resume back at 6.30am.
During the pushing, what motivates me to push even harder when my husband say that he can see some portion of the baby hair.. By 6.47am… my little boy is out.
My little boy was born on 4.4.2013 @ 0647hrs…
I had no contractions not even waterbag burst.
At that point of time i was 37wks & 2days.
on 3.4.2013, my instincts told me to head down to delivery suit. I feel like he is coming that night and at the same time fetal movement wasnt favourable…
Upon reaching KKH delivery suite at 2300hrs, they did a check and i was 4cm dilated and bleeding which i wasnt aware of and he was doing fine.
Since i was so worried about baby movement as this my first child but 2nd pregnancy. The doctor broke my waterbag at 0045hrs. Doc inform me that it will take at least 7hrs b4 i am fully dilated. At this point of time, i was still able to joke around.
By 2am, the pain was unbearable but i was determine to continue without epidural.
At 3.15am, i was 7cm dilated. at this point of.time, i was crying in pain.
At 3.45am, my husband wasnt able to see me in that condition any longer. He requested for epidural…
At 5am, i was 10cm dilated and fully efaced. started pushing at 5.45am. stop at 6.20am coz i keep getting the technique wrongly.. i practice my breathing for awhile n resume back at 6.30am.
During the pushing, what motivates me to push even harder when my husband say that he can see some portion of the baby hair.. By 6.47am… my little boy is out.
Thanks for sharing your birth story too, Dee Dee. Happy 1 month to your boy in a few days!
Thanks for sharing your birth story too, Dee Dee. Happy 1 month to your boy in a few days!
thank you Michelle… congrats to your new bundle of joy.
thank you Michelle… congrats to your new bundle of joy.
Hi Michelle, congrats on the arrival of your newborn! I was searching for birth stories and came across your site. Very well designed and informative 🙂
I'm quite worried about having to go toilet after birth with the episiotomy wound. Many years ago I had a cyst surgery and I felt that the stitches always got a "pulling" feeling. So I was thinking perhaps I will not be able to poo after delivery. Can I check with you, will we be given medication to pass motion before childbirth? So that I don't need to worry about pooing after discharging from hospital. Thank you 🙂
Hi Michelle, congrats on the arrival of your newborn! I was searching for birth stories and came across your site. Very well designed and informative 🙂
I'm quite worried about having to go toilet after birth with the episiotomy wound. Many years ago I had a cyst surgery and I felt that the stitches always got a "pulling" feeling. So I was thinking perhaps I will not be able to poo after delivery. Can I check with you, will we be given medication to pass motion before childbirth? So that I don't need to worry about pooing after discharging from hospital. Thank you 🙂
Hi Adelynn,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad you find it informative 🙂
Yes, I was given something that squirted up my a*** to pass motion just before going into the delivery room. My episiotomy wound hurt pretty bad. It didn't helped that I was walking a lot. Should have listened to the doctor and rest more. But to ease your mind, it actually didn't hurt that bad to pass motion after the delivery. Just make sure you eat enough fibre and your confinement food is not too 'heaty'. It felt stingy when I peed though. Just make sure you use your bide. Splashing water as you pee helps a lot. I recovered after 5 week, but according to my sister (and some women), her wound was just a slight sore, didn't hurt at all. So I wish you are one of those women!
All the best in your pregnancy and birth!
Hi Adelynn,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad you find it informative 🙂
Yes, I was given something that squirted up my a*** to pass motion just before going into the delivery room. My episiotomy wound hurt pretty bad. It didn't helped that I was walking a lot. Should have listened to the doctor and rest more. But to ease your mind, it actually didn't hurt that bad to pass motion after the delivery. Just make sure you eat enough fibre and your confinement food is not too 'heaty'. It felt stingy when I peed though. Just make sure you use your bide. Splashing water as you pee helps a lot. I recovered after 5 week, but according to my sister (and some women), her wound was just a slight sore, didn't hurt at all. So I wish you are one of those women!
All the best in your pregnancy and birth!
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your reply:) Seems that I need to go through another painful procedure. I have a very low threshold for pain, is there any anesthesia given prior to the insertion for passing motion? I always have a problem with constipation and hopefully this medication can clear my bowels.
Really happy to visit your blog. Its like a pregnancy and lifestyle encyclopedia that contains everything for mums-to-be. Its better than books and magazines, and the best thing is that its in a Singapore context that we can relate to.
Hi Adelynn,
The insertion to help clear your bowel is not painful at all. Don't worry. It is NOT inserted very far into our anus and it is just liquid. Then you'll feel like you need to 'lao sai' and everything will come out quick and watery. I am also very prone to constipation. I asked my hubby to get me heaps of prunes and prune juice. My confinement lady wasn't very happy with me drinking prune juice but it helps!
Thanks again for your feedback on this blog. May I know is there any topic or anything you would like to see on the blog that I haven't covered? It would be great for me to know what readers want than wasting time posting irrelevant posts.
Hi Adelynn,
The insertion to help clear your bowel is not painful at all. Don't worry. It is NOT inserted very far into our anus and it is just liquid. Then you'll feel like you need to 'lao sai' and everything will come out quick and watery. I am also very prone to constipation. I asked my hubby to get me heaps of prunes and prune juice. My confinement lady wasn't very happy with me drinking prune juice but it helps!
Thanks again for your feedback on this blog. May I know is there any topic or anything you would like to see on the blog that I haven't covered? It would be great for me to know what readers want than wasting time posting irrelevant posts.
Hi Michelle,
Oh I see, thankfully its not painful. Before I was pregnant I tried prune juice once but ended up visiting the toilet countless times. I heard that olive oil helps, though it may not taste great.
I would love to read on parenting tips such as how to handle a newborn baby, sleeping patterns of a baby, how to get enough sleep after your baby is born etc. I think the greatest advantage of a motherhood blog is the coverage of different stages of a baby's development, which is very useful for new mothers to know what to expect.
A big thank you once again!
Hi Michelle,
Oh I see, thankfully its not painful. Before I was pregnant I tried prune juice once but ended up visiting the toilet countless times. I heard that olive oil helps, though it may not taste great.
I would love to read on parenting tips such as how to handle a newborn baby, sleeping patterns of a baby, how to get enough sleep after your baby is born etc. I think the greatest advantage of a motherhood blog is the coverage of different stages of a baby's development, which is very useful for new mothers to know what to expect.
A big thank you once again!
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it,
you're a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and definitely will come
back later in life. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great job, have a nice
weekend!
Also visit my site: google
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it,
you're a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and definitely will come
back later in life. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great job, have a nice
weekend!
Also visit my site: google
hahah Michelle. That ” I think I can do without epidural!” was so me too! I thought I had really high threshold when they said I was contracting. “Ok leh! Super manageable! If this is how it’s going to be, no sweat!” Oh gosh… spoke too soon too! lol Jia You on number 3! Can’t wait to see him/her!
Haha.. novice first time mums. By the second time, I immediately said yes when they offered!
It seems I’m not the only one who thought I didn’t need an epidural..lolz! But, i told my hub aft that i still wanna try without it if we’ve another bb & he commented that I must be crazy 😉
You reminded me of my birth story with Dylan too. I went in thinking that I would probably not need any pain relief, but turns out, I was in labour for 40 hours!! Had it not for epidural, I wouldn’t have the strength to push towards the end!
Your story so similar to mine when I am due for my child. I thought I could endure without epi but is soo painful that i was screaming for anaesthetist!
What a lovely birth story! It’s quite similar to my first child just that I knew I wanted epidural right from the start, low pain threshold la 🙂
Ahh the good ole ‘i’m sure i can do without epidural’ statememt. Famous last words for me too hahaha. My hubby was actually ‘threatening’ me to either get epidural or forever hold my peace. I caved after 2 hrs only! And labour took so long that i had to have a top up twice. Told them to just charge it!
Every pregnancy and delivery is an unique experience for a woman. Really kudos to all of us who go through this so happily…Beautiful birth story you have narrated.
I opted epidural when I was in my second trimester, really thanked God for that. I can’t imagine without it, no strength to push at all…
Really heart-warming birth story. I agree, our hubbies’ presence and encouragement every step of the way really make a world of difference!