theraspberryjournal

[theraspberryjournal]

Dear Amber,

This is the story of how you came into this world.

On 25 Oct 2021, I thought the waterbag was leaking at 7am. I stayed at home until 4 pm n checked again and it seems that I was still getting quite a wet panty. So i called the hospital and they told me to be admitted that night. You were originally scheduled to be induced on 26 Oct 2021 at 9am.

After being admitted to the hospital around 8pm, doctor checked and say that it was not amniotic fluid that was leaking. So they asked if I would like to be induced earlier since I was already scheduled for the following day. I thought why not since we're already at the hospital. I was already dilated at 1cm.

The 1st induction tablet was inserted around 10pm. Supposedly releases prostaglandin to soften the cervix. They had to monitor me for 2 hrs at the ward before sending me up to the antenatal ward for another 4 hrs for the tablet to taks effect. So the next day at 6am they got me up for a 2nd tablet to be inserted if no progress back at the ward where i was first checked. After checking, I was still at 1cm dilated and our gynae Dr. Chua recommended a different tablet to be used a 2nd time instead. It was then inserted at 8am on 26 Oct 2021. After about an hour or so I started to feel some contractions which was quite mild and tolerable about 4 mins apart. It took about 5 to 6 breaths to get through each contraction. The pain was still bearable at a 6 to 7 points.

We were sent back to the antenatal ward to wait for the effects of the 2nd tablet to take effect. I was so tired i fell asleep after a late breakfast around 11am. And around 12pm i was woken by a pop that i felt in the uterus. It was the mucous plug that popped. I went to the toilet and there was a bloody show. Not too bloody but bloody nonetheless. I also felt a sudden need to poop so I did and had a bit of loose stool as well. Think the relaxin hormone helped to get that out the way before your birth.

The contractions started coming almost 1 min apart and was getting stronger that i had to really concentrate on just breathing in and out for at least 10 counts to get through it. At this stage it was a 8 to 9 point for the pain of the contraction which basically got worst by the seconds. I knew there and then that I'm definitely getting the epidural.

I called the nurse around 1pm and said that I think I need the epidural. By the time they came was around 1.30pm with the wheelchair to bring me to the delivery ward. The breathing was in counts of 15 to 20 at about 30 seconds intervals. The pain was at 10 points already. Breathing barely helps to manage and I was moaning in agony.

By the time we reached the delivery ward, I was already 3cm dilated and can get the epidural, but they said they had to monitor if you are ok before I can get an epidural cuz ur heartbeat was not getting captured on the fetal monitor properly. Your daddy was quick to ask for other pain relief for me at that stage and I got some laughing gas go help me through the contractions for quite a long while. The pain was super intense.

The next time they checked I was already 5 to 6cm dilated and I kept having the intense feeling to push already. Still no epidural but whenever the contractions come, I could feel a gush of fluid being push out by me when I moan. The anaestheist finally came and said that I can get the epidural around 3.30pm or so. By the time it was finally administered was about 3.50pm and i guess the effects kicked in only about 10 to 15 mins later. My lower body was completely numb, but i could still feel the contractions and the need to push.

Doctor say not to push yet cuz i was only 6 to 7cm. N they needed to monitor you. Apparently you were starting to be in distress each time during the contractions as you were tied up by the umbilical cord around your body and it gets tighten further, lowering your heartbeat each time the contractions come and I tried to push.

I guess it was around 4.15pm when the doctors say that you were in distress and needed to be taken out via c-sect since I was apparently only 5cm dilated. I just wanted you to be safe so I agreed. I just prayed to God that you will be alright and safe and He will be with us throughout. I was briefed on the procedures and signed all the forms already. The operating theatre was booked and the nurse was about to shave off my pubic hair when the doctor did a last minute check on my cervix and was surprised to find that I was fully dilated already at 10cm. She asked if I would like to try pushing you out instead. Of course, I said yes. Vaginal birth babies are supposedly healthier after going through the birth canal. Thank God for answering my prayers.

So now each time the contractiom came and I felt the need to bear down and push, I did. The doctors had to ask me to hold my breathe and push for 10 counts, about 3 times each contraction. It was exhausting. The nurses were helping to push the stomach which I try to push internally. I was so worried you were not able to come out quickly and not get enough oxygen, so I really use all my might and strength to push you out as quickly as I could. Sometimes it felt as though I needed to poop, but I think it was just the muscles in my rectum getting activated as well. I had to hold my thighs up as I push and push until you finally slide out of me like a huge piece of slimy goop at 16:49.

Daddy was there to see your head crowning. He was there to cut the umbilical cord. He saw how my wound got stitched up. I got 2nd degree tear on the inside of my vagina, and Dr. Chua apparently does not NOT do episiotomy for 1st time moms. So I got a cut by her to facilitate you coming out. But other than that you didn't cause me to tear much.

After you came out and started crying, I was so relieved that you are alive and well. Just that they needed to monitor your breathing so you were put inside an oxygen box to help you with your breathing so I couldn't do skin to skin immediately with you. Your crying stopped very quickly and you were pretty happy in the oxygen box for an hour. Your limbs were a little blue and cold, but that went away after they heated you up a little. Daddy was so proud of you for being so brave. You barely cried like 2 to 3 times when they injected the vitamin K to help with blood clotting.

You weigh 2.73kg at birth and is 49cm long. Mummy was in active labour for about 6.5 hrs and pushed you for less than 30 mins and you were out. You were officially born on 26 Oct 2021 at 4.49pm.

It was quite the experience for mummy and I know that it must have been scary for you as well to go through all that in the womb and to come out into this world. I couldn't be more proud of you for making it through all that.

You look super like daddy when you are born but I'm sure your features will keep changing as you grow older. You already has mummy's lazy eye habit of peeping through one eye. You were born with a head full of hair which you keep wearing as a mohawk hairstyle and a tiny dimple on your left ear. Your brows are beautiful, eyes are small like daddy, nose quite flat like both of us, and a beautiful set of lips which opens like daddy when you sleep. Your forehead is high like mummy, face is round like mummy, but chin is sharp like daddy. And you have really long and sharp nails when you were born. Mummy know you're gonna be a beauty when you grow up and already loves you so much right now.

You have been latching really well and mummy just hopes to be able to give you enough milk to fatten you up. Praying you will be completely healthy and grow up to be an amazing women.