Birth Story - Part 3 - 1,2,3 Push!

Haha finally it's time. But before that, poor Mommy got to endure around 3.5hrs of pain. Keke not that I want to but it's part of the process ya know?

After the water bag was burst by Dr Adrian, the nurse and Daddy pushed Mommy on the trolley bed from the observation room to the birthing room. She was then hooked onto the contractions and fetal heartbeat machines again. Poo poo poo poo....goes the machine...as if to mimick the tick tocking on the clock.

The room was equipped with a small TV, a corner where the medical staff can work on, a small plastic see-through cot for the new baby and some wierd machines. There's even a black armchair with a footstool for the companion, a.k.a. anxious Daddies-to-be, so that they can relax a bit before they meet their offsprings.

The nurses walked in once a while to check on the machines. Mommy turned to look at the scrolling list that came out from the machines. The movements were documented as graph lines onto the paper that was churned out. When contractions peak, you can see the graph at its highest point and when they subside, you can see the graph reflecting it too. Mommy's graph was showing that the contractions becoming more and more regular and intense. On several occasions, it was so painful that she had to scream and moan. Wonder if the other mommies-to-be can hear or not? Hehe...

As time goes, Mommy felt more pain. She kept thinking "Where on earth is that doc who will inject the epidural? Why isn't he or she here till now?"

At around 11pm or so, finally the doc came to administer the injection for Mommy. The process of injection seemed to be easy but not so. Coz Mommy heard of side effects if the injection was not done at the correct spot in the spine...so it's a gamble of luck it seems.

The doc prepared the necessary stuff and asked Mommy who was already in great pain, to lie on her left and draw her knees up like as if she's a prawn. Then the doc injected the medicine to her spine and applied a plaster on the spot. After the epidural medicine took effect, Mommy felt so much better. However she can still feel the pressure down there enough for her to do the push.

Mommy and Daddy continued to watch TV. It was showing the "Campus Superstar" results show 'live' on Channel U hehe.

After some time, one nurse and one midwife came in to check on Mommy. They saw the intensity on the monitor output and realised that it's almost time. Then they spread Mommy's legs on two support stands and quickly prepare for Dr Adrian to come in for delivery. Suddenly the room became so alive. The midwives asked Mommy to start pushing me out. For me, I had to travel out from Mommy's cervix and then to the birth canal and finally out from the vagina opening. Wah...sounds like a tough one...have to see how Mommy push...

Mommy huffed and puffed her way through. The midwives asked her to take in deep breaths and push me out. So she did and I struggled my way out from the cervix to the birth canal and finally I'm at the vagina opening area. Then, one of the midwife asked Daddy to go over to take a look at...what else but the hair at the top of my head (to show that we only need a little more time before I'm out!) hehe...Daddy was funny. He did not really dare to stare so he took a swift peek from where he was standing (he was beside Mommy on her right) and told the midwife "ok".

When contractions came, Mommy would need to push with all her might even if she don't feel it. However she used the wrong method. She should push using lower body and not through her throat. Later then she adjusted and the push was better. Dr Adrian came in and got dressed in his hospital gown. It's just a piece of disposable plastic. His expression was very normal. It's something he do every other day so he already got used to this. He asked Mommy to push somemore. Few minutes later, Dr Adrian pulled me out. I yelled for the first time outside of Mommy's womb. Hello World!

Mommy felt a quiet sense of relieve the moment I'm out. At the final push she shut both her eyes. The next moment when she opened her eyes, I'm being placed on her chest hehe. They say that newly born babies should be immediately placed on the mothers' chest to be breastfed or whatever so that they can still enjoy the warmth in a strange environment. One of the midwife asked Mommy if she wanted to breastfeed me. Mommy said no coz she still blur from the epidural hehe. In fact, she was still panting and shivering even after a few minutes, let alone do breastfeeding. Anyway the gang congratulated Daddy and Mommy and they brought me to do some cleaning up and weighing and stuff. Turns out that I was actually slightly below the estimated weight...but never mind, I'm still a healthy cutie little baby as you can see in the next few blogs keke...

Daddy was very excited and started whipping out the camera to take pix and video clips of me all wrapped up in the TMC mustard-yellow colour towel. I was an active and curious little newborn. Here's one of the clip:

Birth Story - Part 2 - The 9pm Appointment

Why 9pm? Well I'm not too sure either. But Daddy and Mommy thought that that's the time where Dr Adrian closes shop at his Sengkang clinic. Hmm..which makes me think that being a gynae isn't easy. You see ar....they have to be on standby 24x7 for any emergency deliveries and then they have their own patients to tend to at their clinics. Besides that, they also have to make their rounds at the hospitals (in fact may not be only 1 hospital) to visit their patients...not easy woh...so...me grow up next time...will most likely not going to be a gynae haha....

Before 9pm: Mommy had a good dinner with food provided by the hospital. Nowadays hospital food is not so yucky as before they say. In the evening, Granny, Great-granny and Grand-aunt Jane came to visit Mommy at the hospital. Everyone was very excited for my arrival haha....hey how come no one lay red carpet for me ar?

Er hem. ok anyway let me continue narrating Mommy's birth story part 2.

The nurses at the 6th storey were quite punctual. They prepared Mommy slightly before 9pm to go downstairs for delivery. One of the nurses asked if Mommy can still walk or needed to be pushed in a wheelchair. Mommy decided to take the wheelchair coz contractions were coming in and stronger pressure was there as I pushed my way down a bit in the cervix. Along the way, we had to change the elevator from 5th storey on another part as the previous elevator was not able to go straight down to the delivery room area. So after some winding here and there through the corridors, Daddy was instructed to wait at the waiting area while the nurses hooked Mommy onto the contraction and fetal heart monitors again. This time, apparently, the contractions came in more stronger, regular and Mommy felt more pain than before. At many points in time, she had to breathe in and out via the mouth. Even though Mommy did not attend any ante-natal classes before, she tried to recall what she always see on TV hehe...by breathing in and blowing out through her mouth. Hmm..not sure if that's the correct technique but somehow it worked for her when contractions peaked.

Minutes ticked...and Dr Adrian was not there yet...Mommy started to feel more and more intense pain...hmm..Daddy can only sit next to Mommy to give her moral support. While waiting, a nurse came in to give Mommy medicine to clear her bowels and also to help her shave.

Finally around 9:30pm or so, they finally hear Dr Adrian's voice from outside. He came in and took a peek. Asked Mommy if she can take it. Aiyo a bit fei hua lor. Can see Mommy's face already quite stressed from the on and off contractions hehe...

Then nurses and Dr Adrian came in and out a few times to check on Mommy. But did not say too much.

Around 10plus or so, Dr Adrian came in again with another nurse. This time, he checked Mommy's dilation. It was around 3cm. So he helped to burst the water bag. At that point, Mommy felt warm stuff trickling out from below and it was a different kind of pain from contractions. So now, Mommy felt 2 types of pain!

Then Dr Adrian asked if Mommy wanted any epidural or not to ease the pain. Although Mommy had wanted to endure going through delivery without epidural, but at the crucial point in time, it was tough. So Mommy have no choice but to say yes to epidural. One nurse then brought forward a form on a clipboard to asked Mommy to read through and sign the consent to go for epidural injection. Aiyo, at that time, so painful already still need to concentrate on reading those wordy stuff....buay tahan!

Hmm..think I shall stop now. Continue on Part 3 for my finale!

Birth Story - Part 1 - In the Observation ward

Following 6 Aug blog entry that Mommy Jaz's cervix was dilated at only 1cm in the morning, Dr Adrian asked if Mommy would like to give birth on that day. Daddy and Mommy decided that ok why not?

So they went to Thomson Medical Centre at around 3 plus in the afternoon. Went to do the admissions and after which, went straight to the observation ward to monitor bb Ryan's fetal heartbeat and Mommy's contractions. Mommy was observed for 1 hour. Although contractions were present but was not painful yet. Was then given the pill to soften the cervix more. In the observation ward, Mommy was trying to relax while reading a Dec 2006 issue of Elle magazine that the nurse passed to her, before Daddy came in to sit beside her. Suddenly she heard another pregnant woman in the same ward screaming like mad due to the pain. Mommy started to get scared and cried. The nurse saw and comforted her.

After one hour or so, the nurses told Mommy that she can go back upstairs to the ward to rest and come back down again at 9pm where Dr Adrian will be there to deliver. But she was told that anything feel not right (interpreted: if I wanna come out sooner than 9pm before Dr comes), better call the nurses hehehe...

Here's a picture of Mommy lying on her bed while waiting in the ward 625B.

Hello world!

Hi all! This is bb Ryan again. Yep, that's my photo over there. I'm finally outta Mommy's tummy on 07 Aug 2007 at midnight. Whew!

Is it time? Mimi's words

Mimi woke up just now at 8.30am and felt something watery down under..so alerted Pipi..and went to toilet to check check. Ooh..saw brown discharge le...could this be the day? Quite kan cheong and relieved at the same time as 'at least' something is showing. Hmm....anyway called Dr Adrian just now on his emergency number. He said go and see him first. Anyway there's a scheduled appointment with him at 11.15am so all the better. So meanwhile, just relax, stay calm and go have a good breakfast first :P

Mixed Signals

These days little Ryan is simply too comfy in Mimi's tummy and does not wish to come out (as yet) hehehe...and Mimi has been experiencing mixed signals of true labour. Sometimes Mimi felt strong painful contractions while lying down but gone when she started to walk about. Sometimes she felt that Ryan is pressing down and almost coming out. At times the contractions are painless and last for quite a few seconds. Sometimes little Ryan will stretch his legs and kick Mimi on the right hand side of her tummy. Pipi particularly love this part coz he can feel Ryan's strong kick and little foot sticking out hehehe....

So Pipi and Mimi asked Ryan...when are you coming out?

Mommy's Words

Hi all,

This is Mommy Jaz. Little Ryan is my first baby. Daddy Winston and I are anxious to see how he looks like. Currently I'm working from home till delivery day (or D-Day even though it doesn't sound really nice hehe...) Have packed my hospital bag except throwing in my toiletries, wallet and stuff. Hope that Ryan will give me the advanced warning while I'm at home and not when I'm outside hehe...don't wish to have any scares when water bag burst while I'm on the train or walking...

To my darling Ryan:
Throughout this pregnancy, you have shared with Mommy a wonderful and exciting journey. Even though Mommy may be stressed at work sometimes and getting emotional over small matters, little Ryan is always there to support me by not being naughty. Throughout these few months, little Ryan did not give Mommy too much morning sickness and stretchmarks. But the most joyous part about this pregnancy is having to know that little Ryan is growing bigger and healthier by the weeks and Mommy enjoyed your kicking, squirming and rotating inside. Guess I'm gonna start missing these feelings when you are out on my arms very soon hehe...

Little Ryan, Daddy and Mommy hope that you will grow up to be a good and responsible person. We believe that you will change our lives in days to come as we go on to become parents. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Love, Mommy

Mommy Dearest

Here's some recent pix of Mimi :).

Groomed to be a driver

I'd say that both Pipi and Mimi loved me very much....to the point of dreaming of me being in F1 races??

Recently they liked to catch F1 races 'live' on TeeVee and learnt the names like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikonen, blah blah...so...they eventually got me a McLaren Techno XT buggy from this Baby Hyperstore at Ubi. Hmm..I quite like the red colour against the grey outlook. :)

The full specs here: http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=497

Breaking the News

Pipi, to me, is a creative and humourous guy. Maybe that's why Mimi was attracted to him heehee...

He told granny that he was with Mimi in a Sengkang clinic to see 'Winston Junior'. Granny could not comprehend that in the first place, thinking that Pipi was kidding her as usual. I guess after a few tries, she finally realised that she's going to be a grandmother soon. Hehe..

So one told the other and the whole community of relatives knew about my existence....

What to Expect

Here's a book that Mimi reads to understand more about pregnancy.

A first glimpse of Yours Truly Me

That's me in that little dot!

Dearest Mimi and Pipi (as I affectionately call them) went on to find a gynae that they want to go to and finally decided on Dr. Adrian B. Woodworth who has a clinic at Sengkang MRT station. It is a small clinic but always overwhelmed with many preggy ladies just like my Mimi.

The gynae is an Australian-Chinese and has another clinic in Choa Chu Kang (coincidentally, my Granny and Grandpa lives there). He talks so fast every time that each visit is always short and sweet. It's mostly the routine thingy: Ask 'How Are You?' --> Ultrasound Scan --> Write some notes on Mimi's case file --> file my scanned photo into an envelope and off you go.

Mimi and Pipi signed up for the maternity package that comprised of ultrasound scans, folic acid and vitamin pills for every visit. The package cost something like S$550 which was cheaper than other packages out there. And plus Dr Adrian was quite good so Mimi visited him throughout the whole pregnancy. One thing though, Mimi and Pipi found his ultrasound scanning machine wasn't so powerful. Sometimes they can't distinguish between my legs and my tummy clearly by looking at the machine hahaha...

Surprise Discovery

Let me tell you how my Mimi found out about me - not that it was intended hehehe:

One fine morning, she went to work as usual. She took the MRT train from Pasir Ris to Tanjong Pagar. It was super crowded so she had to stand by the door. Suddenly she felt faint and unwell. And in the next few moments, her knees went weak and she nearly collapse there and then. Luckily there was a young lady (think her name was Gui Lin or something haha) who helped Mimi and brought her to a seat. She accompanied Mimi to Tanjong Pagar MRT station even though she was supposed to alight at Raffles Place station. She sat with Mimi for a short rest and offered to escort her to her office. Mimi was greatful for the gal's help and as she recovered from her pale face, she thanked the gal many times for her help. Mimi thought this was just a normal faint coz she hadn't taken her breakfast.

Then later in the day, Mimi decided to see a doc in a clinic at her office building. The process of waiting was rather long, making Mimi more nervous to find out what's wrong with her. I guess at that point, Mimi did suspect that she was pregnant with me but just wanted a confirmation. Hmm..how smart can she be? :P

After the long wait, she finally got to see the female doc. After telling her the symptoms, she got Mimi to test her urine. Then another round of wait...(duno why waiting and queueing up is so very common in the world outside). Tick tock tick tock...

When it was time for Mimi's turn, the doc finally told her of my existence. Mimi was then around 4 weeks plus pregnant. She was both happy and scared at the news. Maybe she thought too far and not sure how to handle the news. By the way, I know my Mimi is a very emotional person who will cry easily. They always say 'women are made of water' right?

Anyway, the doc told Mimi that I will be born probably in August. She also packed the pregnancy test kit in a plastic ziplocked bag and gave it to Mimi for keepsake. Also gave her some folic acid pills to keep me healthy.

Mimi was quite excited about the news. This is her first time being a mummy and the first thing she wanted to do was to call Pipi to tell him about me! Hehe...

Even though Mimi did not see Pipi's facial expression at the time (they communicated via MSN - how convenient), my guess was Pipi was also excited that he is going to be a Papa soon hehehe...

Mimi told Pipi that to be doubly sure of the news, she was going to test on another pregnancy test kit again a few weeks later. Hehe....so 'kiasu' ;P

So for the next few days, they kept the news to themselves while fantasizing how they will be when they are parents. Mimi tested on the Clearblue test kit and it confirmed her doubts. Happy happy. Now onto the Net again to find a good gynae heehee....

Curled up in a Cozy World

Hi all!

This is my very first blog in cyberspace. I am currently still curled up cozily inside Dearest Mommy's ever-growing tummy, 36++ weeks old to be exact. My mommy and daddy loves to call me "bb" or "Ryan". I wonder how they chose that name but I quite like the sound of it hehe. Sometimes I can hear them talking or singing to me. When I grow up, I shall sing to them instead ;)

Today's just another lazy Saturday afternoon. Mimi's (a.k.a. Mommy) fed me with lunch and I am resting well, giving her some kicks and contractions sometimes. I guess I am getting a bit bored inside Mimi's tummy and want to see the world pretty soon. Pipi (a.k.a. Daddy) flew back from US not too long ago to wait for me to be born. He bought me lots of gifts! I shall show them to you in another posting. Heehee...but erm...I still don't know when though..but I know that Dearest Daddy, Mommy and the rest around them are rather anxious to see me....:P