(I) (D)amn (E)xcited (N)ow

Yes, boy are we excited about this new BLOG ! So I did some research and was thinking if this is actually fun to BLOG his growth. Well I am not exactly the kind of person that write what I did on a day to day basis, but thinking along, might be pretty cool to share our experience with other friends and parent all over the world.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

26 Jan 05 - A Star is Born

I was confined in the hospital since Sunday night. Was not allowed to be discharged until Iden decided to come out. It was a waiting game. Waited for two nights with no progress in my labour. My cervix was only 0.5 cm dilated. At the stroke of midnight on 26 Jan, I was getting impatient and requested the nurse to admit me into the delivery suite. I thought at last things were moving. Took two bottles of chicken essence (was told that this helps to boost my energy and strength which I need when delivering), called ipapa and off I was wheeled to the delivery suite. I was strapped to the CTG machine, drips, etc when I entered the suite. The contractions were quite regular and the pain was still manageable. I was still able to joke! But the show has just begun. As the labour progessed, the contraction became more intense. My energy was sapped and I just could not take it. Was given a jab of pethidine on my thigh. The jab and gas helped me for a while. My cervix was 4 cam dilated after about 3 hours. As Iden was trying hard to come out, the pain became worst. I had initially wanted to be a gungho woman and not to succumb to epidural. In the end, I gave up. The pain was just too much to bear. So, an epidural was given. Immediately after that, I was so relieved and managed to take a nap (so did ipapa). I was woken up by a beeping sound and the contraction pain at about 6 am. Apparently, the epidural had gone wrong (that's why the beeping sound)! The anethesist had to re-insert the needle into my back for the second time. I lost my temper at the nurses and the anethesist. They should have come to help me when the beeping sound happened (it sounded throughout the night but the nurses could not find out what happened). The second time insertion of needle was tough. I was already 8 cm dilated. Can you imagine the pain you experience at that stage and at the same time have to remain very still for the needle? Once the needle was re-inserted, I felt relieved again. Phew! Soon after, my gynae came. He checked and announced to ipapa that he would let him be a father before 12 pm. As he was saying this, he broke my water bag. The real action began at about 11 am. Iden was very eager to see his papa and mama..... it was my turn to push now. At 11.55 am, Iden was born. The first words I said to him when the midwife put him on my belly was "Oh, you little rascal." Then, all the other actions kicked in. Weighed him, cleaned him, gave him the Hep B jab, my gynae stitching me up, etc. Iden weighed 3.285 kg and was 51 cm tall at birth. After he was thoroughly cleaned, the midwife brought him to me again. I took a long good look at him. It was an amazing feeling. From a tiny dot to a baby.... words cannot describe how I feel then. Then, I started my first try on breastfeeding. I was glad that Iden took it quite well. By about 2 pm, everyone (me, ipapa and Iden) was more settled. Iden was sent to the nursery while I was sent to the normal ward to rest.

Monday, January 24, 2005

Admission to KKH

A usual Sunday. Did nothing except to rest and relax. One last ritual before me and husband sleep - to watch Apprentice. Both of us are hooked on this reality show and cannot seemed to get enough of it. The show ended at 11 pm. By the time we went to sleep, it was already past midnight. I thought it was going to be a normal sleep. I woke up at 3 am to go to the toilet (well, it is pretty common for pregnant women to have frequent toilet visits). I was expecting a short business , almost plunging back to my bed when I realised that I was bleeding! Mind you, it wasn't spotting, but bleeding!! Panic button being pressed and I quickly woke up ipapa. Ha... it was quite a funny situation then as we were debating whether is this a show. The ante-natal class told us to expect brownish spotting but what I saw was fresh red blood!! So, both of us took out our notes and tried to find the correct answer. In the end, worry overcame me and off we went to KKH. Upon arrival, I was strapped to the CTG machine. I was experiencing irregular contractions. Being first time pregnant, I did not know THAT was a contraction. After monitoring me for a few hours, I was admitted to KKH upon the order of my gynae. By the time I went to bed at the ward, it was about 7 am in the morning.

Saturday, January 08, 2005

Glamour Shots

You know what? I was at NTUC the other day and I saw this magazine with Zoe Tay, bearing her belly, on the cover page. The idea struck me. Hey, I should also be showing off my tummy too!
After much persuasion, ipapa relented and agreed to do some glamour shots with me.
We were at the studio this afternoon doing the shots. After some styling and make-up, both of us look fabulous. Then, we were led to the studio for poses and shots.
The picture on the left was taken with our first outfit. Our emphasis is my tummy, hence, I have chosen outfit which allows me to show off Iden (in my tummy).
The second outfit (on the right) was my favourite. It is perfect for me (and my tummy).
All pictures were well taken with happy smiles on every picture. I'll have very fond memories of my first pregnancy for a long long time....