First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for an easy pregnancy. Despite not having much appetite during the first trimester, having you inside me was a breeze. 9 months went by quickly; you’ve even arrived 1 week earlier. You must have heard me complained how heavy my belly was and it was taking a toll on my back. I hardly have time to digest the fact that you are already here, almost 2 weeks now – smiling, cooing, and contented laying there just by yourself.

Your birth story began on Friday, 18 July 2014. I went to Dr Wee for a routine check up. I was put on the ECG machine to monitor your movement. We found out that I’ve been having regular and consistent tightening and already 4cm dilated. And since I hardly felt any pain, we were given the choice of going to into delivery immediately and have an induction to hurry things up or go home and wait. It was all very sudden, so daddy and I decided to go home and let nature takes its course.

Saturday went by quite insignificantly. I told you to take your time and come see the world whenever you are ready. Before we went to bed that night, I told daddy I have a feeling I would go into labour very soon because I was going to the loo every 15 minutes. It had been the same right before I had your jie-jie Lauren.

At 4:30am, I woke up to your vigorous movements and felt cramps that came and went in rhythm – it wasn’t too painful, just a slight discomfort. Just to be sure and being the considerate wife that I am (ahem), I didn’t want to wake your daddy up until I’m sure. I downloaded a contraction timer app and timed myself.

With every oncoming wave of cramps that started from the center of my womb, I hit the ‘START’ button. The pain was mild. When it hit my lower back, it would suddenly stop and the pain was gone, I’d press the ‘STOP’ button. After 5 contractions that lasted about a minute each, every 10 minutes, I got up to brush my teeth, put on some moisturiser and got ready for the hospital.   I woke your daddy up. He wasn’t responding at first; the fourth time I shook his shoulder and whispered “Nick” a little louder; I could barely finish saying, “I’m having real contractions” he jumped up and said, “Huh. Lets go!”. We booked a taxi, woke Amor (our helper) up, and left for the hospital within 5 minutes.

We got to the hospital at 6:09am. We went straight to the delivery room floor, informed the nurse – her name was Angela – that I was having contractions and already 4 cm dilated on Friday. She immediately got me into a hospital gown, asked a series of medical questions, and we found out that I was already 6cm dilated at the time.   I was quickly ushered into the delivery room and within 10 minutes or so, the anesthetist,

I was quickly ushered into the delivery room and within 10 minutes or so, the anesthetist, Dr Yvonne Lim arrived to administer epidural. I felt 3-4 very painful contractions while waiting for the epidural to work; after which, I was able to chat and joke with your daddy.   Your name was still up in the air at this point. We were deciding between Lara and Georgia. So while waiting for the birth to progress, daddy and I typed our preferred name in our own phones and show each other at the same time. We both chose Georgia!

Your name was still up in the air at this point. We were deciding between Lara and Georgia. So while waiting for the birth to progress, daddy and I typed our preferred name in our own phones and show each other at the same time. We both chose Georgia!

Soon-to-be 2nd time parents selfie right before you were born.

Not long afterward, I felt a pressure on my bladder, I think it was what the nurses were referring to as bearing down. They have been asking me if I can feel you ‘bearing down’. They checked me again and I heard them said it is time to call Dr Wee. It was all a bit of a blur at this point. I remember Dr Wee arrived not long after, and they propped my leg up and they coached me to push.   I remembered pushing your jie jie Lauren was like doing abdominal crunches, so I did the same when they asked me to push. I couldn’t feel anything and wasn’t sure if I was pushing the right way, but the doctor kept saying, “beautiful” while the nurses gushed ‘good job’, so I continued doing my ‘crunches’.   After 5-6 pushes, I heard them said your head was out, and just needed a final push for your body to slip out. I pushed with all my might, and before I realized what was happening, there you were, laying on my tummy and crying. I heard your voice for the first time. And the first thing the nurses said was “Oh, she has deep dimples!”.

I burst into tears. I haven’t had a chance to look at your face properly at this point but yet I was sobbing uncontrollably because I was overwhelmed by the sudden love I felt towards you. It is hard to explain but I guess I would always love you, my darling Georgia.

Happy 2 weeks old.

Love, Mommy

Jie-jie Lauren came to visit us at the hospital.

And then, there are 4 of us.