What is a growth spurt?
During a growth spurt, breastfed babies nurse more often than usual (sometimes as often as every hour) and often act fussier than usual.
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Physical growth is not the only reason that babies may have a temporary need for increased nursing. Babies often exhibit the same type of behavior (increased nursing with or without increased fussiness) when they are working on developmental advances such as rolling over, crawling, walking or talking. Mom's milk is for growing the brain as well as the body!
When do babies have growth spurts?
Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months (more or less). Babies don't read calendars, however, so your baby may do things differently.
More info @ http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html
I used to ask my friend who has been breastfeeding for >2 years why many ppl say if we can endure 6 weeks of breastfeeding, breastfeeding will then be a breeze. She said, because there will be a growth spurt on the 4th week.
I experienced the growth spurt on Eunice's first week. And I almost gave up. She was on my breasts for almost 24 hours! And every feed can be >1 hour. And after that I had all the sore & cracked nipples. Moreover, when I was still so new about breastfeeding, I just couldn't help but to think if she's not getting enough and hence the long sucking... later only I found out about this growth spurt thingy...
I suspect now Eunice is on growth spurt also since it's now her 4th week. She was asking for feed from 3pm+ to 9pm+ last night almost non stop. I only had 10-15 mins break to go toilet or take a quick bath and I had to feed her again. And today, she has been also asking for feed from 2+pm till now.
Now, I feel like a cow...................
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Eunice Back to Penang!
After a month in Taiping, I noticed Eunice can start to focus on things around the rooms. I told EG I need to bring her back to Penang ASAP so that she won't get any anxiety later when we bring her back to our place in Penang (or actually I want to escape from Taiping after staying there for 1 month :P).
Eunice never really sits in her car seat before though the one we bought is supposed to be used from newborn onwards. When she's first born, she's too fragile. It's too scary to put her in the car seat so I used to carry her in my arm while we travelled from PG to Taiping - Yah dangerous I know but EG was driving like 80km/h on the highway. But thank God everything was fine.
So, after one month, we have decided to start letting her sitting in the convertible car seat that we bought for her (else wasted laaaa) while coming back from Taiping to Penang. I was worried that she'll fuss around in the car seat. However, to my surprise, she has been sleeping in the car seat for the whole journey (daddy was still driving slow so we took almost 1.5 hours to reach PG). I was even starting to get worried that she's supposed to get up for feed so my eyes never leave her during the whole journey to make sure she didn't suddenly get cranky.
My cutie pie in her Britax car seat
She has been again an angel all the way till we were like 5km from our home and she started to scream... Of course, she wasn't being fed for almost 2 hours+ and she normally will ask for feed in 1 hour to 1.5 hours. She must be very very hungry. Quickly I picked her up, calmed her. And thank God it's only 5 minutes to reach home and EG quickly opened the door and I rushed in to start to feed her!
But anyway, I'm really very happy with the car seat! We were looking around and checking out so much before we decided to get this convertible car seat. The price is reasonable esp. since it comes with a base. Looking at Eunice's response in it, it seriously worth all the money that we paid. I used to be worried that the fabric will be hot for her but seems like she's very comfortable in it. This will be her permanent place in my car wherever we go next time! :)
And yeah, Eunice is BACK TO PENANG!! :)
Eunice never really sits in her car seat before though the one we bought is supposed to be used from newborn onwards. When she's first born, she's too fragile. It's too scary to put her in the car seat so I used to carry her in my arm while we travelled from PG to Taiping - Yah dangerous I know but EG was driving like 80km/h on the highway. But thank God everything was fine.
So, after one month, we have decided to start letting her sitting in the convertible car seat that we bought for her (else wasted laaaa) while coming back from Taiping to Penang. I was worried that she'll fuss around in the car seat. However, to my surprise, she has been sleeping in the car seat for the whole journey (daddy was still driving slow so we took almost 1.5 hours to reach PG). I was even starting to get worried that she's supposed to get up for feed so my eyes never leave her during the whole journey to make sure she didn't suddenly get cranky.
My cutie pie in her Britax car seat She has been again an angel all the way till we were like 5km from our home and she started to scream... Of course, she wasn't being fed for almost 2 hours+ and she normally will ask for feed in 1 hour to 1.5 hours. She must be very very hungry. Quickly I picked her up, calmed her. And thank God it's only 5 minutes to reach home and EG quickly opened the door and I rushed in to start to feed her!
But anyway, I'm really very happy with the car seat! We were looking around and checking out so much before we decided to get this convertible car seat. The price is reasonable esp. since it comes with a base. Looking at Eunice's response in it, it seriously worth all the money that we paid. I used to be worried that the fabric will be hot for her but seems like she's very comfortable in it. This will be her permanent place in my car wherever we go next time! :)
And yeah, Eunice is BACK TO PENANG!! :)
Friday, March 12, 2010
First Bath on my own
My MIL aka my confinement lady has been bathing Eunice for the whole month... Since I'm going back to Penang soon, I requested that I need to start learning bathing her before I go back to Penang and do everything on my own. I have been washing her hair and body with MIL's help for the past two days.
Today, MIL went out for some marketing and not back till 10am. I thought it might be good for me to bathe Eunice myself and to feed her soon so that she doesn't pass motion WHILE we dress her after bathing (which happens many times). So, I get EG's auntie who is helping here to prepare the water and there i go bathing my precious by myself!
After bathing her, I do what my MIL always do by bring her to have a brief walk at the car porch to get some sun light to warm her up... but I couldn't do for long coz she's getting heavier and my arms are getting more and more tired after holding her for long. And now, she's happily playing with herself on her bed... and am waiting for her to make the rushing sound for me to go feed her with susu cap mamabeh.. :D
The look after bathing :D
I must say that I'm quite proud of myself that I could do it my own...! :)... Hopefully when I go back to Penang, it won't be so hard as well as by then, I need to prepare the bathing water by my own as well.. but seriously, bathing baby is very fun! :)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Postnatal depression
Definition for Postnatal Depression:
Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. ... Symptoms include sadness, fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, reduced libido, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. Current data suggests that 5 to 9 percent of women will develop postpartum depression, but less than one in five of these women will seek professional help. .... Studies tend to show that more likely causes are the significant changes in a woman's hormones during pregnancy. On the other hand, hormonal treatment has not helped postpartum depression victims. Many women recover because of a support group or counseling.
I think I'm overwhelmed by the new role as Mother now and I have slight postnatal depression.
I cried very easily these days and my tears can just drop with no control. With EG working in PG now and me alone in Taiping with his family, it makes things worse. I cried so many times before he went back to Penang, and so unlike me, I actually asked him to stay back though I know he has already taken 2 weeks off to accompany me during my maternity and this will definitely affect his job performance.
Anything that goes wrong with Eunice, I'll start crying. But really I thank God for friends around who has told me to call up if I need help... I could call up friends to check with them if all the "problems" that I'm having with Eunice are normal, and I could just cry over the phone. I know it might sound funny if I were to read this post back after many years but I just couldn't help the sadness and helplessness in me - what more for me having the first child with no experience and what-so-ever.
Anyway, I'm dying to go back to Penang and live in my own house with EG & Eunice. I started to hate the confinement food and hate the confinement thing. I couldn't stop complaining and it makes me feel even more depressed. I have to keep staying positive for another week until this stupid confinement is OVER and then I can have a nice bath many times a day, drink cold drinks many cups a day, and eat anything that I like to freshen myself and attend to my little bundle of joy!
Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. ... Symptoms include sadness, fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, reduced libido, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. Current data suggests that 5 to 9 percent of women will develop postpartum depression, but less than one in five of these women will seek professional help. .... Studies tend to show that more likely causes are the significant changes in a woman's hormones during pregnancy. On the other hand, hormonal treatment has not helped postpartum depression victims. Many women recover because of a support group or counseling.
I think I'm overwhelmed by the new role as Mother now and I have slight postnatal depression.
I cried very easily these days and my tears can just drop with no control. With EG working in PG now and me alone in Taiping with his family, it makes things worse. I cried so many times before he went back to Penang, and so unlike me, I actually asked him to stay back though I know he has already taken 2 weeks off to accompany me during my maternity and this will definitely affect his job performance.
Anything that goes wrong with Eunice, I'll start crying. But really I thank God for friends around who has told me to call up if I need help... I could call up friends to check with them if all the "problems" that I'm having with Eunice are normal, and I could just cry over the phone. I know it might sound funny if I were to read this post back after many years but I just couldn't help the sadness and helplessness in me - what more for me having the first child with no experience and what-so-ever.
Anyway, I'm dying to go back to Penang and live in my own house with EG & Eunice. I started to hate the confinement food and hate the confinement thing. I couldn't stop complaining and it makes me feel even more depressed. I have to keep staying positive for another week until this stupid confinement is OVER and then I can have a nice bath many times a day, drink cold drinks many cups a day, and eat anything that I like to freshen myself and attend to my little bundle of joy!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My First Breastfeeding Adventure
For c-sect mum, until I can start walking, nurses in Island Hospital actually pushed baby Eunice to me for breastfeeding. We have made our point very clear that we want exclusive breastfeeding, not knowing what's ahead of us. After baby is fed, they will then bring baby back to nursery for sleeping. So the overall stay is quite relaxing, and I thought I quite enjoy the bonding with baby during breastfeeding.
Until we brought Eunice back....
Eunice kept crying and crying, and I'm not sure what to do when she cries. I tried to feed her, sometimes she will suck the nipple for >1 hour to 2 hours, and sleep, and after 30 minutes she'll cry again. And when she cries, her whole face will turn dark red and scream at the top of her voice... I was totally helpless looking at her crying. At night, I told EG and his mum to sleep in another room - no point having everyone suffering together - and I tried to feed her everytime she cries. This caused me with all the backache, hand ache, shoulder ache, and sore nipples and etc due to carrying baby + lack of sleep. My really sore / cracked nipples seriously discouraged me in continue breastfeeding. I'll scream and kick when Eunice first latch on as it's REALLY painful and the pain will be gone only after she starts sucking. Having doing this for two days ONLY I'm already totally exhausted and thinking of giving up with breastfeeding.
When the government clinic nurse came and checked on Eunice, she told us that Eunice has jaundice and asked us to go do the blood test ASAP. We went and her jaundice level has reached the dangerous level for a 6-day old baby. We admitted her to Columbia Asia Taiping for phototherapy. I know that jaundice is common for newborn but my heart ached like crazy and I couldn't control my tears from keep rolling down esp. when I see her just keep sleeping in my arm (jaundice babies like to sleep). I also admitted as a lodger as I want to breastfeed her.
Eunice was admitted for 1.5 days and discharged on the next day. In the 1.5 days, I lost track of how many times I was called to nursery to feed her, until I was again totally exhausted. And nurses in Columbia Asia Taiping were not very supportive in breastfeeding (unlike Island Hospital in Penang) and they kept pestering me to mix with formula milk. Thank God that EG was there all the time and he made his point very clear that as long as I have supply, we won't give formula milk. And everytime we'll be in the nursery to make sure Eunice is quiet and calm under the phototherapy before we left - once we stayed on till 12.30am - imagine how exhausted EG was being running up and down the whole day, + worrying for his precious.
In order for Eunice to be discharged soon, she has to be fed a lot to poo, and make sure she's full while going through the phototherapy so that she won't scream for milk. Phototherapy is hot and she'll get dehydrated and hungry fast. The nurse suggested to me to express my breastmilk. I didn't want to as if you read up any breastfeeding material, they will tell u not to introduce bottle in the first few weeks, and God, it's only my first week with Eunice. And the amount of milk that you expressed might just disappoint you greatly since there's a poissibily that the milk hasn't came in yet.
However, I gave in, feeling so useless that I have only breastfed for less than a week and I had to introduce bottles. All negative thought came into my mind challenging me if I can make it for breastfeeding. My really sore / cracked nipples were the main reasons me giving in to expressing. I'll scream when Eunice first latch on and the pain will be gone only after she starts sucking. Now, I really salute all the mothers who did exclusive breastfeeding! I smsed / called up friends who did breastfeeding and asked if all the things that I have gone through is normal. So, I used the breastpump in the hospital to pump out all my milk supply so that they can bottle feed Eunice faster and get her under the therapy more rather than having her being fed by me more!
I really thank God that most of the time when I expressed, I can get from 2 to 2.5oz. Even the nurses commented that I have quite a bit of milk supply **shy**. To make sure no formula milk is given to Eunice, I set my alarm clock to wake up after 2 -3 hourly to express my breastmilk for them to store to feed Eunice. The 2nd day, I discharged since no point staying in the hospital as lodger when I can express my milk. I came home, slept for 1 hour, EG helped to setup all sterilizer and breastpump and sterilized everything, and I continue pumping again using the Avent manual pump. I'm very surprise that with Avent manual pump, it's even more effective than the Medela electric pump in the hospital (though I'm not sure what model is that). I could easily pump out 3oz of milk. Quickly, we sent the EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) over to hospital again as EG really doesn't want them to give Eunice any formula milk. (He's even more dedicated than me in supporting breastfeeding :P)
Finally Eunice was discharged at 6pm and I was told to keep breastfeeding her to make sure she poo and pee a lot to flush out the excess bilirubin in order for jaundice to cure. It's not easy of course but to make sure she's well, I had to make sure I'm strong too.
Until we brought Eunice back....
Eunice kept crying and crying, and I'm not sure what to do when she cries. I tried to feed her, sometimes she will suck the nipple for >1 hour to 2 hours, and sleep, and after 30 minutes she'll cry again. And when she cries, her whole face will turn dark red and scream at the top of her voice... I was totally helpless looking at her crying. At night, I told EG and his mum to sleep in another room - no point having everyone suffering together - and I tried to feed her everytime she cries. This caused me with all the backache, hand ache, shoulder ache, and sore nipples and etc due to carrying baby + lack of sleep. My really sore / cracked nipples seriously discouraged me in continue breastfeeding. I'll scream and kick when Eunice first latch on as it's REALLY painful and the pain will be gone only after she starts sucking. Having doing this for two days ONLY I'm already totally exhausted and thinking of giving up with breastfeeding.
When the government clinic nurse came and checked on Eunice, she told us that Eunice has jaundice and asked us to go do the blood test ASAP. We went and her jaundice level has reached the dangerous level for a 6-day old baby. We admitted her to Columbia Asia Taiping for phototherapy. I know that jaundice is common for newborn but my heart ached like crazy and I couldn't control my tears from keep rolling down esp. when I see her just keep sleeping in my arm (jaundice babies like to sleep). I also admitted as a lodger as I want to breastfeed her.
Eunice was admitted for 1.5 days and discharged on the next day. In the 1.5 days, I lost track of how many times I was called to nursery to feed her, until I was again totally exhausted. And nurses in Columbia Asia Taiping were not very supportive in breastfeeding (unlike Island Hospital in Penang) and they kept pestering me to mix with formula milk. Thank God that EG was there all the time and he made his point very clear that as long as I have supply, we won't give formula milk. And everytime we'll be in the nursery to make sure Eunice is quiet and calm under the phototherapy before we left - once we stayed on till 12.30am - imagine how exhausted EG was being running up and down the whole day, + worrying for his precious.
In order for Eunice to be discharged soon, she has to be fed a lot to poo, and make sure she's full while going through the phototherapy so that she won't scream for milk. Phototherapy is hot and she'll get dehydrated and hungry fast. The nurse suggested to me to express my breastmilk. I didn't want to as if you read up any breastfeeding material, they will tell u not to introduce bottle in the first few weeks, and God, it's only my first week with Eunice. And the amount of milk that you expressed might just disappoint you greatly since there's a poissibily that the milk hasn't came in yet.
However, I gave in, feeling so useless that I have only breastfed for less than a week and I had to introduce bottles. All negative thought came into my mind challenging me if I can make it for breastfeeding. My really sore / cracked nipples were the main reasons me giving in to expressing. I'll scream when Eunice first latch on and the pain will be gone only after she starts sucking. Now, I really salute all the mothers who did exclusive breastfeeding! I smsed / called up friends who did breastfeeding and asked if all the things that I have gone through is normal. So, I used the breastpump in the hospital to pump out all my milk supply so that they can bottle feed Eunice faster and get her under the therapy more rather than having her being fed by me more!
I really thank God that most of the time when I expressed, I can get from 2 to 2.5oz. Even the nurses commented that I have quite a bit of milk supply **shy**. To make sure no formula milk is given to Eunice, I set my alarm clock to wake up after 2 -3 hourly to express my breastmilk for them to store to feed Eunice. The 2nd day, I discharged since no point staying in the hospital as lodger when I can express my milk. I came home, slept for 1 hour, EG helped to setup all sterilizer and breastpump and sterilized everything, and I continue pumping again using the Avent manual pump. I'm very surprise that with Avent manual pump, it's even more effective than the Medela electric pump in the hospital (though I'm not sure what model is that). I could easily pump out 3oz of milk. Quickly, we sent the EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) over to hospital again as EG really doesn't want them to give Eunice any formula milk. (He's even more dedicated than me in supporting breastfeeding :P)
Finally Eunice was discharged at 6pm and I was told to keep breastfeeding her to make sure she poo and pee a lot to flush out the excess bilirubin in order for jaundice to cure. It's not easy of course but to make sure she's well, I had to make sure I'm strong too.
Post Delivery
Since I had my c-sect, there are a lot of things happened without me knowing much. EG only update me what happened after the next day.
I remembered EG's pale face when he came back to hospital after the "scary" experience that he had. He was totally helpless in the delivery room and he told me he didn't know what to do at all to help me, neither he knew how to help me to feel better. The midwives kept telling him to support me while I was pushing but he said he never see me in such situation before and he was really so worried about me. And he felt bad as if he hasn't been doing a good job in supporting me.
But for me, he has done his best to be with me throughout the whole thing. I remember he told me to breath in and breath out and push; and I remember I held his hand real tight everytime when the contraction hurt me during the very last few hours. And I remember he kept telling me everything will be ok soon. It gave me very strong motivation to move on.
When I was wheeled to the operation theatre for c-sect, he told me he hasn't prayed so hard in his life before. I was pushed to operation at 3am and the midwife brought Eunice out and showed EG at around 3.15am (that's FAST!). She was wet, wrinkled, and shivering. EG just touched her a bit but she was too fragile. Quickly the midwife took Eunice back to nursery to do the rest.
I was only wheeled back to my room at approx 4am+ after I woke up.
In the end, I got a lovely daughter, and a super loving husband. :)
And a note from EG to all fathers-to-be: You should accompany ur wife into the labor room then you'll love them much more after you know how much pain they have to go through to bear your child / children. :)
I remembered EG's pale face when he came back to hospital after the "scary" experience that he had. He was totally helpless in the delivery room and he told me he didn't know what to do at all to help me, neither he knew how to help me to feel better. The midwives kept telling him to support me while I was pushing but he said he never see me in such situation before and he was really so worried about me. And he felt bad as if he hasn't been doing a good job in supporting me.
But for me, he has done his best to be with me throughout the whole thing. I remember he told me to breath in and breath out and push; and I remember I held his hand real tight everytime when the contraction hurt me during the very last few hours. And I remember he kept telling me everything will be ok soon. It gave me very strong motivation to move on.
When I was wheeled to the operation theatre for c-sect, he told me he hasn't prayed so hard in his life before. I was pushed to operation at 3am and the midwife brought Eunice out and showed EG at around 3.15am (that's FAST!). She was wet, wrinkled, and shivering. EG just touched her a bit but she was too fragile. Quickly the midwife took Eunice back to nursery to do the rest.
I was only wheeled back to my room at approx 4am+ after I woke up.
In the end, I got a lovely daughter, and a super loving husband. :)
And a note from EG to all fathers-to-be: You should accompany ur wife into the labor room then you'll love them much more after you know how much pain they have to go through to bear your child / children. :)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
D Day
We went for the checkup before Dr Karen went on leave on 12th. Baby has grown to 3.1kg but she's still facing up. Dr Karen asked if we want it to be as natural as possible and asked if we still want to induce but EG decided that we'll just wait till everything is ready before baby decides to come out. So she told us the standby gynae will be Dr Maha when she's not around. Dr Maha had quite good comments from one of my colleagues too.
EG and I went for last minute CNY shopping in Jusco to buy some CNY cookies in case anyone coming to our place to visit, or even if there's none coming, we still can have it for ourselves. :P... We walked from 6pm+, had Nando's (one of my favorite) for dinner, had my favorite Hokaiddo ice cream, and started our shopping all the way till 10pm+.
The next day, when I woke up at 10am, I felt some pain on my back and I couldn't really sleep well. I went toilet and there's some pinkish blood show. Quickly I called EG and he asked if I'm doing well. So, we decided to wait some more since I have read in blogs that some mothers were sent home even though they have bloody show.
I still made some breakfast for EG, and I faster ate my bak gua, pineapple tarts and drank one more cup of milk for my baby in case she decides to come already. I called up Dr Maha and told her my condition. She mentioned that when the contraction is every 30 minutes, I should go into hospital soon. However, my contraction has been for every 20 minutes but I didn't tell her. :P. But i asked her "Is there any double charge if I were to deliver on public holiday like tomorrow?" And she's very funny and answered me very cooly that "No.. Why do you think Dr Maha will charge you extra?"... Well it did make me paiseh a bit but of course I just said I wanna make sure of this.
I quickly check all my stuff to bring to hospital. EG still went and washed his gate since CNY is coming. :P... And by 1pm, we were all relaxed and settled. Still, I dun want to go hospital yet as I dunno if they will reject me and asked me to go home. It'll be a waste of time esp. since I'm staying not near. So I washed my hair, relax and time my contraction, and watched Armaggedon together with EG.
At 3pm, contraction is almost every 10 minutes. And everytime it happened, my back hurt. There were also 3 times blood show. So 3pm+, we have decided (reluctantly) to go into hospital after calling them up.
3.30pm - I reached Island Hospital. The midwife ran CTG for half and hour and told me that the contraction is now every 5-6 minutes. After checking with Dr Maha, I'm not allowed to go home and need to be admitted to wait for active labor. No dilation yet.
4.30pm - Doing nothing in the room with EG. He brought a novel along to kill time. It's boring. I tried to walk in the room since they said walking will ease labor.
6.30pm - Dinner is served. I told EG to buy himself some dinner as well so he bought some nuggets from nearby McD. So kesian, that's his reunion dinner food that day. EG checked with the nurses and found out that he cannot stay overnight with me since we chose a double bedded room and the latest he can stay is up till 10pm. I was worried that I'll need to call him to rush to Island hospital IF I were to labor after 10pm. :(. Dr Maha came to check on me and told me that I had to wait for active labor since I'm not staying near, and commented that my baby is not small.
9pm - Contraction got heavier and heavier. Everytime it happened, my back hurt like mad. EG was trying to massage my back for me everytime it happened and it made me feel better.
9.30pm - We called in nurse to check again. CTG showed that my contraction is every 2-3 minutes apart. It's time to go for labor! Midwife checked and my dilation is 2cm. They asked if I want epidural I said no.
10.30pm - This might be the longest wait in my life. The contraction was bad and my back hurt like mad everytime the contraction happened. I wanted to give in for epidural and I told EG that. Midwife checked, and told me that I'm already 5cm dilated. No point putting epidural anymore. She said that my pain threshold is quite high and suggested laughing gas and a jab that will reduce 30% of my pain. I remembered she told me, "Believe me OK Winnie. It'll make u feel better.." I was in such a pain that I just said "OK.. OK... do what u think is right!"
11.30pm - The gas and the jab did make me feel better, but the back pain was still terrible. The midwife told me that everytime the contraction happened, baby will try to turn to face down. And that's why it hurt me so much as it's hitting on my back. Midwife also told me that the graph has been showing very good pattern and if baby were to face down, I would have been delivered by then.
12.30am - Active labor started. Contraction got heavier and more painful. Water bag bursted. I closed my eyes to try to relax and breathe in and out as much I can to relax myself. But the pain on my back is still killing me. Midwife kept calling my name and telling me not to fall asleep. I kept telling her that "I'm here... I'm not sleeping" and I told EG I'm just trying to relax myself.
2am - Bearing down feeling came. Midwife asked me to push whenever the contraction came. Oh that's so painful and I tried so hard to push but baby doesn't come out. She told me everytime I pushed, she can feel baby's head but when the contraction is over, baby's head went back inside.
2.15am - Dr Maha came. I was asked to push again but to no avail. :( ... Dr Maha said the baby is now facing side way. 2 midwives came to help by pressing my tummy and it really hurt. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain and I screamed, tried to look down and asked EG "What is that?!". EG's face was really helpless - I know how he felt since there's nothing he can do to help me. He told me, "Don't look, it's vacuum.." Then Dr Maha told me she's trying to vacuum baby out and told me to push some more. I tried, but it just didn't happen.
2.3oam - Dr Maha told me to push again and if it still doesn't happen, she's going to go for c-sect. I tried again but baby just doesn't come out. I have already dilated 9cm by then. She told EG that baby is already distressed and everytime contraction happened, her heartbeat dropped.
2.45am - Dr Maha told EG that I'm not going to make it. She asked midwives to call in all the anesthetists for c-sect. I still remember clearly that I told EG: "I'm sorry dear, I'm so sorry." EG told me it's OK it's OK. We always joke about him asking me to check our finance situation during delivery. Dr Maha told me: "It's ok. Some babies are meant to be c-sect..."
3am - I was wheeled to operation theatre. I heard Dr Maha explaining to EG why c-sect had to happen. The pain got worse and I still feel like pushing. Dr Maha told me not to push anymore. I was already screaming in the theatre due to the unbearable pain. And I kept asking when is the anesthetists coming because I just want to get out from the pain ASAP. The last thing I remember in the operation theatre was someone telling me, "Winnie, I'm giving you this oxygen..."
4am+ - I woke up. I felt a drop of tear at the side of my eye. Must be the pain. Felt super dry in my throat, and felt like throwing out. I tried to tell them that I was going to vomit but I couldn't talk. I tried so hard to tell them and finally someone heard what I said. They used something to suck out all the mucus from my mouth. I asked if my baby is OK - I dunno who was around me actually, they told me yes baby is OK. I was wheeled back to my room. EG was already there. I asked him the same question: "Is baby ok?" He said yes. I asked him, "Does she have any mark on her face?" He said: "No... Dun worry dear.. everything is OK!"
Dr Maha told Eg that he couldn't stay for long. I told EG to tell the nurse to bring me my baby for breastfeeding after they clean them up. He did that, kissed me on my forehead, told me to rest, and told me he'll come tomorrow early morning, and he left.
Nurse brought my lovely and cute Eunice over at 5am and I breastfed her for the first time after she's born for the colostrum. She can suck well! =)
So, we're officially parents now!
EG and I went for last minute CNY shopping in Jusco to buy some CNY cookies in case anyone coming to our place to visit, or even if there's none coming, we still can have it for ourselves. :P... We walked from 6pm+, had Nando's (one of my favorite) for dinner, had my favorite Hokaiddo ice cream, and started our shopping all the way till 10pm+.
The next day, when I woke up at 10am, I felt some pain on my back and I couldn't really sleep well. I went toilet and there's some pinkish blood show. Quickly I called EG and he asked if I'm doing well. So, we decided to wait some more since I have read in blogs that some mothers were sent home even though they have bloody show.
I still made some breakfast for EG, and I faster ate my bak gua, pineapple tarts and drank one more cup of milk for my baby in case she decides to come already. I called up Dr Maha and told her my condition. She mentioned that when the contraction is every 30 minutes, I should go into hospital soon. However, my contraction has been for every 20 minutes but I didn't tell her. :P. But i asked her "Is there any double charge if I were to deliver on public holiday like tomorrow?" And she's very funny and answered me very cooly that "No.. Why do you think Dr Maha will charge you extra?"... Well it did make me paiseh a bit but of course I just said I wanna make sure of this.
I quickly check all my stuff to bring to hospital. EG still went and washed his gate since CNY is coming. :P... And by 1pm, we were all relaxed and settled. Still, I dun want to go hospital yet as I dunno if they will reject me and asked me to go home. It'll be a waste of time esp. since I'm staying not near. So I washed my hair, relax and time my contraction, and watched Armaggedon together with EG.
At 3pm, contraction is almost every 10 minutes. And everytime it happened, my back hurt. There were also 3 times blood show. So 3pm+, we have decided (reluctantly) to go into hospital after calling them up.
3.30pm - I reached Island Hospital. The midwife ran CTG for half and hour and told me that the contraction is now every 5-6 minutes. After checking with Dr Maha, I'm not allowed to go home and need to be admitted to wait for active labor. No dilation yet.
4.30pm - Doing nothing in the room with EG. He brought a novel along to kill time. It's boring. I tried to walk in the room since they said walking will ease labor.
6.30pm - Dinner is served. I told EG to buy himself some dinner as well so he bought some nuggets from nearby McD. So kesian, that's his reunion dinner food that day. EG checked with the nurses and found out that he cannot stay overnight with me since we chose a double bedded room and the latest he can stay is up till 10pm. I was worried that I'll need to call him to rush to Island hospital IF I were to labor after 10pm. :(. Dr Maha came to check on me and told me that I had to wait for active labor since I'm not staying near, and commented that my baby is not small.
9pm - Contraction got heavier and heavier. Everytime it happened, my back hurt like mad. EG was trying to massage my back for me everytime it happened and it made me feel better.
9.30pm - We called in nurse to check again. CTG showed that my contraction is every 2-3 minutes apart. It's time to go for labor! Midwife checked and my dilation is 2cm. They asked if I want epidural I said no.
10.30pm - This might be the longest wait in my life. The contraction was bad and my back hurt like mad everytime the contraction happened. I wanted to give in for epidural and I told EG that. Midwife checked, and told me that I'm already 5cm dilated. No point putting epidural anymore. She said that my pain threshold is quite high and suggested laughing gas and a jab that will reduce 30% of my pain. I remembered she told me, "Believe me OK Winnie. It'll make u feel better.." I was in such a pain that I just said "OK.. OK... do what u think is right!"
11.30pm - The gas and the jab did make me feel better, but the back pain was still terrible. The midwife told me that everytime the contraction happened, baby will try to turn to face down. And that's why it hurt me so much as it's hitting on my back. Midwife also told me that the graph has been showing very good pattern and if baby were to face down, I would have been delivered by then.
12.30am - Active labor started. Contraction got heavier and more painful. Water bag bursted. I closed my eyes to try to relax and breathe in and out as much I can to relax myself. But the pain on my back is still killing me. Midwife kept calling my name and telling me not to fall asleep. I kept telling her that "I'm here... I'm not sleeping" and I told EG I'm just trying to relax myself.
2am - Bearing down feeling came. Midwife asked me to push whenever the contraction came. Oh that's so painful and I tried so hard to push but baby doesn't come out. She told me everytime I pushed, she can feel baby's head but when the contraction is over, baby's head went back inside.
2.15am - Dr Maha came. I was asked to push again but to no avail. :( ... Dr Maha said the baby is now facing side way. 2 midwives came to help by pressing my tummy and it really hurt. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain and I screamed, tried to look down and asked EG "What is that?!". EG's face was really helpless - I know how he felt since there's nothing he can do to help me. He told me, "Don't look, it's vacuum.." Then Dr Maha told me she's trying to vacuum baby out and told me to push some more. I tried, but it just didn't happen.
2.3oam - Dr Maha told me to push again and if it still doesn't happen, she's going to go for c-sect. I tried again but baby just doesn't come out. I have already dilated 9cm by then. She told EG that baby is already distressed and everytime contraction happened, her heartbeat dropped.
2.45am - Dr Maha told EG that I'm not going to make it. She asked midwives to call in all the anesthetists for c-sect. I still remember clearly that I told EG: "I'm sorry dear, I'm so sorry." EG told me it's OK it's OK. We always joke about him asking me to check our finance situation during delivery. Dr Maha told me: "It's ok. Some babies are meant to be c-sect..."
3am - I was wheeled to operation theatre. I heard Dr Maha explaining to EG why c-sect had to happen. The pain got worse and I still feel like pushing. Dr Maha told me not to push anymore. I was already screaming in the theatre due to the unbearable pain. And I kept asking when is the anesthetists coming because I just want to get out from the pain ASAP. The last thing I remember in the operation theatre was someone telling me, "Winnie, I'm giving you this oxygen..."
4am+ - I woke up. I felt a drop of tear at the side of my eye. Must be the pain. Felt super dry in my throat, and felt like throwing out. I tried to tell them that I was going to vomit but I couldn't talk. I tried so hard to tell them and finally someone heard what I said. They used something to suck out all the mucus from my mouth. I asked if my baby is OK - I dunno who was around me actually, they told me yes baby is OK. I was wheeled back to my room. EG was already there. I asked him the same question: "Is baby ok?" He said yes. I asked him, "Does she have any mark on her face?" He said: "No... Dun worry dear.. everything is OK!"
Dr Maha told Eg that he couldn't stay for long. I told EG to tell the nurse to bring me my baby for breastfeeding after they clean them up. He did that, kissed me on my forehead, told me to rest, and told me he'll come tomorrow early morning, and he left.
Nurse brought my lovely and cute Eunice over at 5am and I breastfed her for the first time after she's born for the colostrum. She can suck well! =)
So, we're officially parents now!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Waiting...
I went for the weekly checkup. Today i'm in my 38th week, entering my 39th week next week. Though baby has been showing some signs for labor but there weren't any regular patterns and I can't go hospital for labor yet.
Dr Karen actually said that I was having contraction, but funny thing is I don't feel much pain. Just occasionally some period-pain like cramp, which will go away in maybe 1-2 hours. :(... I hope the pain will just last for 3-4 hours so that I can go into labor soon and meet my baby but it doesn't happen. Guess my baby wants to enjoy CNY Cookies before meeting us then. :P
I asked Dr Karen if I'm having contraction then why I'm not feeling any pain. Well, she actually thinks that I have high pain treshold and even commented that if that's true, I can afford to have many children. I wanted to tell her that it's expensive to have babies these days... :P
We wanted to ask for induction for a more predictable delivery for easier planning. However, DR Karen doesn't really encourage it though she doesn't strongly discourage it as well. After talking to many friends, they told me that normally induction is more painful (since you're artificially forcing the uterus to contract when every part of your body is not ready yet) and in most cases they might lead to some complications that will then lead to c-sect. As such, EG and I have decided to drop the idea of induction and just let baby take her own sweet time to decide when she wanna meet us. :)
Baby's weight now is 3.1kg as of today's checkup. I think I'm now kinda relieve that baby is above 3kg. Previously she was around 2.6kg and didn't gain any weight after 2 weeks. I know smaller babies are easier for delivery, but it also means harder to take care since they are so small. With 3.1kg i think it's just nice. :)
So everynight I'm counting down the days and thinking if baby is coming today, but wake up with disappointments when there's nothing happening. Guess I'll just have to relax and like the daddy said, let baby takes her time, and let God decide the timing. :)
Dr Karen actually said that I was having contraction, but funny thing is I don't feel much pain. Just occasionally some period-pain like cramp, which will go away in maybe 1-2 hours. :(... I hope the pain will just last for 3-4 hours so that I can go into labor soon and meet my baby but it doesn't happen. Guess my baby wants to enjoy CNY Cookies before meeting us then. :P
I asked Dr Karen if I'm having contraction then why I'm not feeling any pain. Well, she actually thinks that I have high pain treshold and even commented that if that's true, I can afford to have many children. I wanted to tell her that it's expensive to have babies these days... :P
We wanted to ask for induction for a more predictable delivery for easier planning. However, DR Karen doesn't really encourage it though she doesn't strongly discourage it as well. After talking to many friends, they told me that normally induction is more painful (since you're artificially forcing the uterus to contract when every part of your body is not ready yet) and in most cases they might lead to some complications that will then lead to c-sect. As such, EG and I have decided to drop the idea of induction and just let baby take her own sweet time to decide when she wanna meet us. :)
Baby's weight now is 3.1kg as of today's checkup. I think I'm now kinda relieve that baby is above 3kg. Previously she was around 2.6kg and didn't gain any weight after 2 weeks. I know smaller babies are easier for delivery, but it also means harder to take care since they are so small. With 3.1kg i think it's just nice. :)
So everynight I'm counting down the days and thinking if baby is coming today, but wake up with disappointments when there's nothing happening. Guess I'll just have to relax and like the daddy said, let baby takes her time, and let God decide the timing. :)
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