Postpartum

After birth, I was still okay, happy, and chirpy while in SJMC for 5 days (needed to stay longer as Baby Isaac had jaundice and needed to be under phototherapy). I thought I wont get the postpartum blues. I thought I was strong.

How wrong I was.

In less then 1 week after being discharged from the hospital during my confinement at home, I started feeling really down and moody. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't even wanna take a look at the baby. I only wanted to be alone in my room. Sometimes I cry for no reason. 

Thank God for me I acknowledged that I am getting into postpartum blues. Even family members and my husband can see it. It was that obvious. 

I am now entering into week 2 on my confinement and things are looking pretty upbeat at the moment. I still get the blues especially in the evenings but I am trying to manage and overcome it. My parents encouraged me to talk to Dr Delilah and see if she can prescribed some hormonal tablets to balance up my system and prevent it from getting worse. 

I really hope that this phase would pass over soon because I don't want to be stuck in this situation. 

And for those new mummies out there, postpartum blues is very common and I urge you to talk about it with your husband and family members. It is something very normal as our hormones are imbalance at the moment. Get yourself surrounded by loved ones. Don't lock yourself up because it can lead to depression. 

Love;

Mummy Geri

My Birth Story - Baby Isaac Lee

Baby Isaac Lee

Baby Isaac Lee was delivered on the 17th November 2012 at 1:20pm. Mummy had to go through 25 hours of labor with excruciating contraction pain in the final hour when Mummy was pushing the baby out. Am still   in the hospital as the baby has slight jaundice and needs to be put under photo-therapy.

Seeing and cuddling Baby Isaac in my arms now makes it all worth it. And here is my birth story :)

- 16th November 2012 -

8:30am:

The day when I was to be induced. Took a nice long shower and washed my hair. Me, Bear, and my parents had our breakfast in a nearby mamak stall. Thank God for that because I was to fast during my long hours of labor, which I totally didn't expect.

9:30am - 11:00am:

Admitted ourselves into the labor ward and changed into my hospital gown. Was given enema to move my bowels. A light meal of porridge was served. A vaginal examination (VE) was done - meaning the midwives will jab their fingers down there and go all the way up the cervix to check for dilation. I couldn't even take the pain and discomfort so they kinda abandon plan and said that I definitely need epidural, which I totally agree. 

The labor ward in SJMC

11:30am - 12:30pm:

Was induced via insertation of pill in the vagina. And waited for contraction to start. It didn't and the midwives wanted to start me on drip to further induce. I was already quite scared at this point because I can't stand needles. And they took 4 tries trying to poke that drip needle because they couldn't find my vein. It was horrid. 

2:00pm:

Dr Delilah came in to check on me and was kinda agitated on why was I not on the drip yet. She inserted the drip herself in one try. 

2:30 - 4:00pm:

Start to feel the contraction pain which is once in every 2 minutes. Requested for an epidural first at 4:00pm because I was too chicken to go through the full force of contraction pain.

Epidural machine

4:30pm:

The anesthesiologist came in an administered the epidural. Truth be told, I was terrified because I know that a small tube will be inserted to my backbone where painkiller will be pumped into my system to numb the area below my waist. However, the procedure was pretty painless and the anesthesiologist was very gentle. Really nothing to be scared about. 

5:00pm:

The effect of epidural starts to kick in and I was pretty relax by now. So I sent Francis down for his lunch. He was pretty famished by then.

7:00pm:

The midwives did VE and I was 3cm dilated. Dr Delilah came and broke my waterbag by inserting a long thong-like scissors into my vagina all the way up to the cervix to poke. This will speed up contraction much significantly. Thank God I don't feel anything. Everytime when the VE is done, the midwives will also insert a catheter to drain out my urine (because of the epidural, I am unable to feel the urge to pee.) 

- 17th November 2012 -

2:00am:

Only 6 cm dilated. By now, I was already mentally very tired and extremely hungry. Sucked on sweets which Francis got my dad to buy and took sips of water. You are not allowed to eat or drink anything when on epidural because you may end up vomiting. Sent Francis downstairs to our single ward room to sleep for a bit as he was getting very uncomfortable sitting on the chair in the labor room.

3:00am:

Suddenly there was a beep in the baby's heart machine - seems like the baby was in distressed. I was so worried for the little one as I was in labor for so long and the waterbag has been broken for some time. Turns out that I was having low grade of fever and the midwives quickly gave me panadol and injected antibiotic intravenously. By now, my BP has also dropped and Dr Delilah instructed for the induce to be temporarily removed to stabilized by BP.  

6:30am:

I was 7cm dilated. Extremely slow progress so I was put back on the induce drip. By now, I was crying to myself because it was really tiring and I was mentally very exhausted. It was made worse with me having no food or water for hours, which makes me physically very tired as well.

9:00am:

Dilated to 9cm. Was getting very excited because I only had 1 more cm to go before I can push the baby out. And I knew the end is very near after the long waiting hours.

Really tired

11:00am:

Finally dilated to a full 10cm and the midwives asked to switched off the epidural so that I would know when to push with the contraction pain. I was extremely terrified because of the on-coming pain.

11:30am - 12:30pm:

Started to feel mild contractions as the epidural begins to wear off. I was asked to start pushing. By now, the baby's head has crown. Dr Delilah was suppose to come in at 12:00pm to assist in the delivery but she was held up in the OT and subsequently with another natural delivery.

Machine to monitor baby heart rate and contraction.

12:30pm - 1:00pm:

By now I felt the full-blown contraction and I had stopped pushing. I screamed, teared, and wanted to give up with every contraction pain. It was so bad I wanted to die (not being drama about it ok). The midwives had to quickly called Dr Delilah and informed that the patient was in distressed. I screamed for the epidural to be switched on again. It was done but only half-dose. It brought no pain-relieve whatsoever for me. 

1:00pm:

I was still screaming in pain when the Dr came in. Somehow despite the pain, I was relieved to see her because I knew that I was in safe hands. She quickly assisted me to help vacuum the baby out and instructed me to push when the contraction came. In the moment of confusion and daze, a few midwives had to hold my legs down. I was given a towel to bite to stop myself from screaming. My drip was pulled off from the commotion. 

1:20pm:

By God's grace and enabling, despite the pain I managed to push baby Isaac out with Dr Delilah's help and it was the most beautiful thing ever. She put him on my tummy and then instructed Francis to cut the umbilical cord. The minute the baby was out, I was almost going in and out of consciousness from the pain and tiredness. From now, everything was a blur. I knew that the placenta was pushed out. I knew Dr Delilah was stitching me up but yet I felt nothing. I knew that they took the baby to be weigh and warmed up under the heater but I just couldn't respond to his cries.  

Baby Isaac straight from the oven

After everything was done and I was cleaned up, I was allowed in the room by myself with the lights shut off the rest and sleep. 

3:00pm:

Once my energy was regained, I was wiped and sponged down. Thereafter, was transported back to the normal single ward. Food was served which I chomped down gladly. Around this time was when I had a good look at baby Isaac. 

There was such overflowing joy and love for the baby that all the pain that I had endured earlier was totally forgotten. 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Reflection

Accordingly, tomorrow is suppose to be the day that I am to deliver my baby bear. And if nothing happens, I am to go into SDMC to be induced the following day. So either way, we will be seeing the baby bear by this week.

 

To me, it still feels surreal to the point that I can't believe that I am to be a mother. At age 28. Mother to a child. Wow. Amazing.

 

Surreal #1:

After carrying him for 9 months, we finally get to see, touch, and smell the baby. I really wonder how he will look like.

 

Surreal #2:

I can't believe it. I am about to give birth. Something that have plague me with fear since young. But yet, at this point in time, I am still surprisingly calm about it.

 

Surreal #3:

Will we be good parents? How am I to handle being promoted to be a mother? Will I be a good one? How will I know what to do?

 

Surreal #4:

Am I really prepared???

 

Like what all first-time mummies would tell me, no one is ever prepared to be a mother no matter how mch they read about it, ask people about it, or prepare themselves mentally about it. Maternal instinct will kick in naturally and eventually you will know what to do.

 

Well, I guess I will know when the time comes.

Which will be very soon.

 

p/s: I have a feeling the baby bear will come on the dot tomorrow. Just a hunch.

 

Love;

Mummy Geri  

I May Be Induced

Coming 40 weeks

I am 2 days to the EDD and there is still no signs of labor :(. My baby is so stubborn. Yesterday, during my final checkup with Dr Delaila, she had advised that I should be induced if I past the EDD. Reason being: 

(1) Baby is full-term. No point in waiting longer.

(2) Water in the amniotic sac is getting lesser and lesser.

(3) To avoid a situation of the fetal being in distress in the womb.

(4) To avoid Meconium Aspiration Syndrome.

Well, the Dr knows best right? 

And so, we had scheduled for an induced labor on Nov 16 (Friday) in the morning at 8-9am. Dr Delilah was very accommodating, she immediately called SDMC and booked a labor room for me. She further explained the entire procedure to me in detail and asked me not to worry too much as I can still go through the normal delivery process.

A pill will be inserted into the vagina to stimulate contraction, the waterbag will be poked and burst, and if dilation/contraction doesn't take place, I will be put on drips to heightened the process. :( 

It is kinda sad because I don't want to be induced. Being induce is to initiate the contraction artificially. And because of the "artificial" initiation of contraction - the labor tend to be more painful as your uterus is suddenly put into work at overtime speed. 

But looks like I don't have a choice isn't it? 

Braxton Hicks

I've been getting Braxton Hicks pretty often nowadays. I guess it's normal when I am so close to my due date and my the baby is getting bigger in my tummy.

Always wondered how does a Braxton Hicks felt like because I can't tell the difference between that or the movement of the baby. Well, now I know. Basically, it's a mild contraction where your tummy tightens and then releases itself like a spasm. Imagine you clenching and opening your fists. Yeah, the movement is something like that. 

Is it painful? 

At this point I won't say that it is. Just that it can get uncomfortable - it's like you are having a cramp. For me, when Braxton Hicks happens, I would need to stop whatever that I am doing and hold onto my tummy to ease the " feeling of tightness". It comes and goes randomly and usually lasts for about a couple of seconds.

Well.. I guess the time is almost coming for me to see the baby bear huh? 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Week 39 : Still No Signs Yet

In case some of you who don't know, that is how Week 39 looks like. I assume that most mummies would have delivered by then and won't know how a bump at Week 39 looks like. 

During my recent checkup yesterday, the Dr was saying that although baby bear is already engaged, he still seems pretty "far up" - meaning he has not gone further down the cervix. In view of that, the Dr opines that my delivery may be exactly on the expected due date i.e. Nov 15 or later. 

Looks like our dear baby bear here is getting a tad to comfy inside mummy's tummy. 

I am still pestering talking to the boy everyday to come out and see us when the time is right so that mummy will not need to be induced. I hope he is listening inside there. :)

Dr Delilah assured me to not be so kan cheong and that I should enjoy my leave time off now. I should relax and do the things I love. Sleep as much as I can. Because when the baby comes along, I will be severely deprived of all those items. And having quiet time by myself or with the hubby would be a something of a luxury. 

So yup ... there are no signs or symptoms yet that points to delivery being anytime soon. I shall take Dr Delilah's advise and enjoy my time whilst I still can. :)

But one thing's for sure when the time comes, I will definitely miss the little one kicking inside my tummy. 

Waiting Anxiously;

Mummy Geri

The Waiting Game ...

is no fun! -.-"

I am sitting at home doing nothing except to wait for signs of labour. My friend today had send me a prayer link which I love a lot and this will be my mantra prayer until I deliver. She's due the same time as me. :)

"Father, as I look forward to delivery of my sweet baby, having enjoyed a blessed pregnancy of full duration, I thank You in advance for Your word, Your blessings, Your peace, Your presence, and Your divine intervention. I pray and confess that my body and my baby will cooperate with perfect, supernatural delivery, that there will be no problems of any kind. I also believe and declare that my labor and delivery will be quick, short, easy, and painless. I believe and declare that I'll have time to get to the proper place with proper help. 

Baby, in Jesus' name, you move and place yourself in perfect position for birth: head first, not breech and face down. You rotate properly as God intended you to. I command the umbilical cord to be in proper position as well. Body, you function perfectly during this time. I have perfect peace and am relaxed. All fear must go and stay gone for I have God, who is perfect love and casts of fear. My body will not be tense, but relax, at peace. I speak specifically to all the parts of my body to come in line with God's Word and Will.   

Father, I believe that at the proper time for delivery my water will break and my uterus will do its job and begin to contract and push my baby down the birth canal and out into our loving arms and lives. I command my cervix to dilate fully to 10cm, to be elastic and stretch. To the uterus, vagina, perineum, vulva as well as my cervix, you relax, be elastic and stretch without causing pain or any complications. Accommodate the birth of my baby. Furthermore, I declare in Jesus' name that I will not tear or need an episiotomy. Father, pain is under the curse of the Law, and your Word says that Jesus bore our pain, so I rebuke all pain and will not tolerate pain. I will have a short, easy, pain free delivery in Jesus' name." 

AAAAAMMMMEEEENNNNNN ~! :)

Love;

Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 38 (Anytime Now!!)

During my last check-up on the 31st Dec, Dr Delaila has uttered the magic words:

"Your baby is already engaged." 

And so my next question to her was :

"When can I go on leave?"

:D

And that explains why I am bumming around doing at home at this point in time. Free 1 week of leave~!! Honestly, I only wanted to go off next week but due to some idiotic people issues, I decided to take the rest that is needed as advised by Dr Delaila. 

According to the Dr, I will be early but only a couple of days - however she did caution that since the baby is already engaged, I better be prepared to welcome our bundle of joy anytime. She asked me to pack my bags and make sure it is with me at all times just in case. She also asked me to watch out for signs of labor and just get enough rest at home because I won't be getting any when baby bear comes along.

Do I feel any different, now that I am so close to the finish line? 

(1) Since the baby is engaged, whenever he moves it kinda "jabs" at my bladder and "down-there", so it can be uncomfortable.

(2) I do feel some mild contractions pretty often now. How can I tell? It is when my stomach suddenly tightens to almost like a spasm kinda feeling. And then the spasm is released. This is confirmed by Dr when I did my last ultrasound scan and she could feel my muscles tightening.

(3) Walking is now a chore because I feel the weight of the baby and it feels as though he is gonna "drop off" anytime.

(4) The baby's movement is quite prominent and can usually catch me offguard. 

(5) I get hungry very fast and very often. My portions has been increased as well. Take for instance yesterday's dinner, I had Maggie soup, char siew pau, and roti bakar. My appetite is insane! -.-"

(6) Backache is my constant companion now. And I do get heartburns occasionally.

(7) The toilet is my favourite place. Can't keep my bladder in for long now.

(8) Can still sleep well because I am used to sleeping on my side. 

(9) Can't bend down or is flexible anymore as the tummy gets in the way.

(10) I get very tired and worn out easily.

Other than the above, it is quite "business as usual" for me. No significant changes or symptoms yet. So, yes at this point in time it is a waiting game.

I keep going to the toilet to check if my waterbag has leak.

And I am waiting very anxiously. 

Love;

Mummy Geri