11 May
It was a regular Monday and Daddy went with me to the bi-weekly checkup at TMC. The sonographer did an ultrasound scan for me to check on the baby and everything was fine. But we did have some difficulty getting a proper look at his head, cos it was really "low". Dr Lie did an internal examination to check for dilation but there was none. But the check was really painful, cos he stretched my cervix during the examination. My gynea back in Kuching also used this trick to "induce" labour so I was very familiar with the pain. I really do not like it and it made me walk cross-legged after the checkup.
It was 11pm and Daddy and I were relaxing on the sofa, munching on some tidbits. Suddenly I felt a gush of discharge and it made me jumped. I thought my water bag had broke but it was not. I assumed it was nothing major so I went to bed as usual.
12 May
5am - I was awakened by a very strong urge to poo while sleeping. Did I eat something not right? I tried to ignore the urge but it came again and again. I woke up, grabbed a cup of warm water and rested on the sofa. Then the contractions started. I timed the contractions, they were 10 mins apart.
6am - I woke Daddy up and told him about the contractions. I decided to take a hot shower first and it felt good. Somehow hot shower really helped to ease the contractions.
730am - Daddy sent my in-laws to the wet market to top up the food supply at home.
830am - Daddy and I sent Sofia to school together with the hospital bag in the car. On the way, I called my gynae to inform him of the situation. He asked me to take my breakfast first and go to the delivery suite at TMC to monitor the situation, he will meet me there at 10am. We dropped Sofia off at school and went to Damasara Utama to have some noodles. By this time, my contractions were about 5-7 mins apart.
10am - I got myself checked in to the delivery suite, hooked up on the CTG machine to monitor my contractions and baby's heartbeat. The doc arrived soon after and check on my dilation, there was none. We guess it was a false alarm after all. However, as my contractions were pretty strong, the doc advised me to stay on so that the nurses can monitor the situation.
3pm - I tried to make myself comfortable on the sofa and keep myself entertained with the TV but I was getting very bored by then. I wanted to go home. One of the midwife came by and helped me time the contractions. It was irregular, some were 5 mins apart, some were 7 mins. But they were coming on really really strong.
6pm - I asked the midwife again if I could go home, she offered to check on my dilation, in case labour has indeed started. After checking, it was confirmed labour has started, I was 4 cm dilated! Then everyone sprang into action. My gynae instructed the midwife to break the water bag and I had to decide if I wanted epidural. I remembered the pains I had during labour the last time so the chicken in me opted for epidural. I called Daddy and told him labour has started, come to the hospital soon.
630pm - The anesthetist arrived and prepared epidural for me, shortly after, my water bag was broken. I wondered how long would it take for me to reach full dilation - 10pm? I was feeling hungry by then but no food was allowed already.
800pm - The midwife came to check my dilation again, I was 8cm dilated already! I was getting very nervous. She went to call the doc again while I called Daddy again to ask him to come quickly.
815pm - Daddy, my mum and my father-in-law arrived, phew! The delivery team went into full swing to prepare for the baby's arrival.
830pm - The doc arrived and I was fully dilated already! The team got ready and the rest was up to me now. I had to coordinate my pushing with the contraction and honestly, I do not know how to push! I tried to push with all my might but it was not done correctly and ended up with a big red face. The midwife, Shirley, was very encouraging and gave me very specific instructions on how to breath and push. It was also a correct decision to turn off the epidural but I could have done it earlier. After many unsuccessful pushes, I think I managed to catch the ball and with two proper pushes, Jeremiah was out!
There we have, a proud grandma and a delighted grandpa at 920pm!
