Haye Li's birth story

And all that planning for nothing. LOL.

So, she did listen to me after all….Initially, I did tell her to come out 23rd onwards and to be in between 2.5 – 3 kgs. And she came out on 23rd October 2008 morning at 2.75kgs.

Ironically, the night before, we had dinner at Rye Li’s Godfather’s parent’s place. The day before Rye Li was born, we had lunch with them too. That day after my last checkup with my doc, we were invited over to their place for dinner and the aunty was saying “you come over for dinner, sure your baby come out tomorrow!” which of course, I didn’t want as I wasn’t ready yet. Who knew then, that it would come out to be true! :)

After dinner, we reached home at 10 plus. I had my shower, washed my hair (I wash my hair everyday!) and went to bed. I couldn’t really sleep so I was playing with a game on my mobile. Finally slept about 12 plus.

I got up at 4am as I was experiencing painful period cramps again. I didn’t really think that it was IT as I have been having this for the last 4 weeks now. Then, Rye Li asked for milk and I made it for her. So happened hubby couldn’t sleep too and he was awake. Told him about my cramps and he went back to bed. About 4-30am, I decided to get up to pee.

I noticed a slight discharge, yellowish greenish type which I didn’t think twice about it as I get a lot of discharge during my pregnancies. After I peed, I realized that there were some more discharge and I looked down to notice it was pinklsh and sensed that this could be IT. Got hubby to wake up and he asked how sure I was, then there was some slight bloodish discharge which I told him it was a “show”. I started to panic (again) as I haven’t finished my work yet and I was really looking forward to my days off! Got the look from hubby and then I changed ‘frequency’ and said I’m not sure where to put Rye Li and the maid!

Anyway, I got the maid up to pack Rye Li’s stuff while I went and shower again (yes, I need to wash my hair even though I washed it like 6 hours previously!). Hubby went and got the car ready and we didn’t wake Rye Li up till it was time to leave the house.

I actually felt like poo-ing when the “show” came but I didn’t dare as I knew this is one of the signs of baby coming out. But I wasn’t having any contractions yet.

We left the house at 5am and I called my mom on the way to the hospital. Usually, she would be awake by this time for her morning walks but she didn’t pick her phone up. Called my sister’s maid (my sister and my parents stay at the same condo) and she was awake, asked her to go wake my mom up as I wanted my mom to come meet us at the hospital to pick the girl and maid up. My parent’s place is nearby the hospital and I was telling hubby since I’m not having any contractions (actually, I wasn’t sure what I was feeling then were contractions, or from the urge to poo or from the period cramps) and it was bearable, we should just drop Rye Li and the maid off my sister’s place.

I got my sister’s maid to come down and get the girl. I was surprised how calm Rye Li was throughout the whole thing – we explained to her what was happening and that once her mei-mei is out, papa will come pick her up to see us. She did show her sulky face but she didn’t cry or anything and willingly went to my sister’s maid (of course, I packed her doll along and some M & M’s and I told her this too!). I was worried about her the whole time till the last half hour of me giving birth that day. I have to say that Rye Li was my focused most of the time of my labour.

By the time we got to the hospital was about 5-45am or so. They checked me first for contractions on the CTG thingy and only when they realized I was having contractions (which wasn’t that obvious to me as it was like light period cramps), that they allow us to register. Usually, they said that they will send people home if there were no contractions. Anyway, they checked me ‘there’ and said I was 4cm dilated already and since it was my second time, it should be fast around 10-11am.

I was contemplating whether to take epidural or not but since it was early morning again like Rye Li’s and I wasn’t sure whether I would also dilate just as fast this time round, I felt that it would be a waste if I took the epidural and there won’t be any effect on me. So I decided not to. Even the midwife was against me taking it since they guarantee that it would be very fast for me and that it would be a waste of money. The midwives were really the old school thinking type, they are older than my mom!

After clearing my bowels and all, I went to the delivery ward. It was around 6-30am now and the contractions were still bearable (every 5 mins or so) but I asked for panthedine. The jab at my bum was really painful (and I still got a bruise from it till now) and several minutes later, I felt really tired and sleepy.

I tried to rest in between the contractions and chatted a little with hubby. I refused to take the gas yet although it was given to me. And all the time I kept looking up at the time. The midwives (second shift by this time) didn’t even check me there again and only told me that if I feel the urge to poo, to inform them.

By 8-20am, the contractions got intense and lasted longer. After the 3rd one or so, I started taking the gas and told hubby to tell the midwives to check me as I also felt the urge to poo. One of them came in and told me that my doctor was on the way and that he would check me. I think she realize that I was really in pain that she said she would check me. She took her own sweet time getting the gloves on and all.

The last half hour, my eyes were shut tight as I was already in pain and I was focusing on my breathing through the gas mask. I wasn’t even talking but there were so many stuff and words going through my head and most of them were cursing at those around me. As she took so long just to check me, I was cursing her for this. I knew it was just several minutes or perhaps seconds but to me then, it felt like hours! When she checked me, I heard her said that I was 7-8cm dilated already and said to wait for my doctor and this was where I started cursing my doctor too especially when the contractions became unbearable!

One of the midwives was guiding me to breathe through the gas mask and I listened to her over 90% of the time (the balance was when I just went with the flow of the pain). All this time, my left hand was holding on to hubby’s hand and I really squeezed his hands when the pain got unbearable. I didn’t really scream this time but grunted (with clenched teeth) quite loudly when it was painful and I felt the effects of the gas and perhaps panthedine through my head. I also heard the midwife said that she could see the membranes already.

I was really drowsy and because the whole scene reminded me of Rye Li’s birth, I became emotional too and was sobbing towards the end. You can call it self pity or whatever, but I was just going on with the flow and cursing my doctor at the same time as there were no signs of him and I already felt like pushing. In the end, I remembered my colleague’s wife who just delivered a week before me didn’t have her doctor in time too when her baby came out and it dawned on me that I could also have my baby without my doctor! Just as I was going to push (while hearing the midwife said to wait for my doctor), I heard my doctor’s voice. I think he came in several minutes before Haye Li came out.

I think he took some time to change too (I’m not sure as my eyes were shut) but whatever it was, I was already pushing which I didn’t know I was and then I heard my doctor said “don’t push” which caught me off guard. I didn’t know Haye Li was out already and I was sobbing still in between. Haye Li’s cries could be heard throughout, definitely much more than her sister’s. The effects of the panthedine were still there and some of the events were a blur to me but I could hear the conversations going on with the midwives, my doctor and hubby. This also I found irritating (I’m guessing due to me being drowsy) and I really wanted to ask them to shut up but of course I didn’t. Only coz I was too groggy already…LOL.

The taking out of the placenta was also painful to me and so was the ‘cleaning’ me part. I didn’t talk at all throughout the whole thing, in fact, I didn’t even talk to my doctor till I saw him later that evening. When he left, the midwives just let me be and brought Haye Li to me for breastfeeding. I managed to be with her for like half hour or so before being transferred to my room. I was still groggy from the whole thing and was not in the mood to talk unlike Rye Li’s when I felt so energetic after she came out. So I’m guessing it’s got to do with the panthedine.

Now, thinking back, everything went very fast although the half hour of pain felt like a lifetime then. I know I’m considered very lucky already and I have been asked by many to have no. 3 since it was so easy for me. Well, I’m still traumatized by the whole thing and not forgetting the aftermath of it which I will blog about it when I can.

So in summary, on 23rd October 2008;

4 plus am – had a show
5 -45am – admitted to hospital
6am – contractions with 4 cm dilation
6-30am – entered delivery ward, had panthedine with contractions about every 5 mins
8-20am – contractions more intense and longer, started using the gas mask, 7-8cm dilated
8-50am – Haye Li is out

This round of labour took me about 4 hours or so since the “show” with real pain of half hour. No epidural which still amazes me that I survived another round of labour pain. No, please don’t ask when is no. 3 coming along. Now is not a good time for that question!

Ok, can't force her out on 28th October 2008

I'm officially on leave as at today but still doing work from home when I can as I'm owing some stuff to my clients.

Saw my doc this morning to obtain my medical leave and since I was there, I thought I might as well see him for a checkup instead of having to wait so long on a Saturday. So was going through with him again whether we can set a date for 28th and he said that he's not free on 28th or 29th as he got 2 surgeries to attend to. Of course, if Baby H comes out naturally on her own before that or around those 2 days, then too bad for him. So he said he won't do a finger check till I see him on 29th morning to see if I can be induced on 30th instead.

So much for a nice number of 28th....unless she comes out naturally on her own. ;)

Interestingly, I lost a kg too since last Saturday. So it was water retention after all...haha. And I'm home now eating ice cream (since the girl is at the daycare), hubby thinks just because I lost a kg doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want to. LOL. Am thinking whether I can do a Baskin Robbin's ice cream fondue before Baby H comes out and while no. 1 is at the daycare. She's been quite sensitive to ice cream lately. Each time I give her some, she will start coughing so I can only indulge in this when she's not around. :)

Anyway, I'm still not convinced that Baby H will be late coz the cramps are getting worst lately. And that I can't walk well without being in pain or discomfort. Hubby brought up just now at the clinic that Rye Li's delivery was so easy and fast that I'm expecting the same too for this round. And then I thought of the fact that I was overdue (and I'm the second child) and hubby was late too (he's also the second child). Maybe it runs in the family...

I think Baby H thinks I'm one confused mummy coz initially I told her don't come out until 23rd onwards and then this moved on to 24th (for a baby scorpio) and now 28th (so that I can go back to work 5th Jan instead of last week of December). She probably just want to remain snugly in there than dealing with a confused mummy. :)

38 weeks - still not out

Ok, i'm not jinxed! Phew!

Baby H has lived a week longer than Rye Li had in my tummy and I made up my mind that if she doesn't come out by 27th October, I will induce her on the 28th itself which I would be exactly 39 weeks then. My doc said he will do the finger check when I see him this coming Saturday to see if my cervix has soften so we can set the date.

One of the reasons for this is that my colleague's wife just delivered at 39 & half weeks normal and her baby is 4.24kgs (over 9 pounds!) and this is really scaring me big time. Although my doc said baby H is about 6 pounds now, I just hope she doesn't get that big!

I also need to watch what I eat coz I put on 2 kgs in 1 week! First thing my doc asked to see when he realized I've gained 2 kgs was my legs - he said, it looks like water retention and I sure hope so! LOL.

My period-cramps like comes and go and now, every time I get a cramp, I will time it just to see if it's a contraction or not. I'm still working and will be going on leave tomorrow onwards as I don't think I want to drive to and fro to work already. Will probably try to relax before she comes out and most likely will be doing some work from home (although I know hubby and some friends will protest to this).

My backaches are still there and I pee like 3-4 times a night. At times, I can go back to sleep easily, probably coz I'm really tired but at times, it takes forever to fall back asleep (like now which is why I was up doing work and also to update this quickly). Because my waterbag burst in the middle of the night the last time round, I do get paranoid now when I wake up to pee at nights. I sure hope she doesn't come out till next week at least as I do want to rest the next few days of my leave.

37 weeks - is it time yet?

Tonight marks the eve of my 37th week…yes, I’m still around. Cramps had been coming and going for the last 2 and a half weeks. Last week itself I had 2 nights of scare and a night of mild fever and a lot of cramps during the daytime (not as painful as nights).

Hubby is back and he won’t be travelling till baby H comes out. I’m hoping she is out after 23rd next week (just so I’ll have a Scorpio baby! Hehe).

Went for my check up on Saturday which was such a disappointment for me as I waited so darn long, had my blood tested for diabetes (they took so much blood and I was expecting them to just prick my finger!) and after all that waiting, my doctor only checked on baby H’s heartbeat. Not even a scan and when I asked him why, he said “Save money mah!”. Geez. I was looking forward to him to see if she’s engaged after all that cramps or whether I was dilating but he said no need as it was still early.

I’ve only put on 15ks so far (6kgs lesser than Rye Li’s at this stage) but wondering if baby H do come out late, how much more would I be adding on. Yes, I am paranoid about this too. J

Anyhow, if history repeats itself, my waterbag should break after midnight tonight and I would have baby H by tomorrow morning. However, I don’t think I would be that lucky this time coz the last 2 and half weeks of cramping hasn’t not been swell for me and I feel that this pregnancy will be a “pain” for me – I think I’d prefer if my waterbag breaks. At least I know she will be out within 24 hours instead of me wondering when will she be out while suffering from the cramps!

The waiting game begins.

Below are pictures I took. Just wanted to compare with Rye Li’s at 36 weeks…Boy! Am I huge!

this is me at 36 weeks with Rye Li

this is me at 36 weeks and 2 days with baby H - tummy looks bigger at the front (could be my fat)

the girls and I

Possibility of an early labour?

I have been having period-like cramps for the past one week. The last I had this was the week before Rye Li came out and hence, I was a little paranoid that Baby H is going to come out early too and I'm only in my 35th week.

I was told by my friend to talk to Baby H and I've been asking her to come out on 23rd October onwards - firstly, to make sure hubby's around. Secondly, for me to finish up or at least clear up most of the stuff at work (if baby h doesn't come out by then, i should be on my leave from 22nd this months onwards already). And thirdly, at least get myself mentally prepared for another baby.

Interestingly, when I started to talk to her, I didn't have the cramps for 2 nights (the cramps comes at night only). Then it started again on Friday evening onwards and when I still had it till Saturday morning, I decided to go see my doctor, a week earlier than scheduled. I just need to get some peace of mind since hubby is travelling this coming week.

My doc said that he could do a 'finger check' to check on baby H but he normally doesn't do this till at least 38th week as it could induce labour (now I know why I didn't get this with Rye Li as I heard from others that some doctors will do this finger thingy). He also said that he could do the CTG thingy (which they will wrap this device round my tummy, the ones that they use while you're in labour to check on the contractions and the baby's condition) but it won't be accurate to say whether baby H will be coming out early or not. I guess it was because I didn't have any other symptoms which indicate that I would have an early labour, so my doc just did the usual scan. He commented that baby H is at a good size already of 5 pounds and thus, he is not worried should she come out now. He said baby H looked fine to him through the scan and said for me to just relax and chill. He also asked that I start to plan for back up in case I do go into labour when hubby is not around.

I will be seeing him again next week on a weekly basis now till baby H comes out. I need to fast before I see him next week so that he can check on my blood to see whether I got diabetes or not (since I got a family history for this).

Before we saw him, we went for a late breakfast but I puked it all out into the drain by the roadside. Till now, I'm not sure what caused me to puke it all out but my doc didn't seem too all concern when I told him this. I just felt such a waste as I had good hearty breakfast! LOL...I was hungry shortly after we saw my doc.

As for my weight, it's pretty much controlled (surprisingly, considered the way I eat these days!) as I've only put on half a kg since last week. So in total so far, I've put on 14.5kgs. :)

My hospital bag is about 90% packed, baby H's clothes are all washed and ready (except for some towels and bibs which can be washed later). Now I only need to get her baby cot, bedsheets and baby bassinet ready and also the backup plans ready in case I do go into early labour.