An interesting experience

I had my 30th week pregnancy doctor's appointment at KKIA last Monday and I thought it would be a brief one. Little did I know, it became an issue.

As usual, I went to KKIA earlier than my appointment time just so that I would be able to get the earlier ticket number. I wasn't that far off, since my appointment is at 9am and I'm the 7th in queue. That morning my condition was slightly different. I felt light headed and had blurry vision.

As I was seated, it wasn't that bad.

Soon my number were called to the nurse room to get the usual weight and blood pressure checked. Surprising to the nurse, my systolic measurement was at 157 and diastolic at 91. Again, the nurse measured in hope that it was just the device error. 151/90 my second reading reads. Worried, she told me if it still looks bad, we'll have to try with doctor's manual blood pressure measurement. Sometimes it gives a different reading. Okay... third reading goes 145/94. That's alarming. She told me to wait for the doctor's call outside at the waiting area and make sure I'm seated.

Hmm, that kinda explains the light headed that I got. I was alone that morning as I thought I just wanna get this appointment over with and head over to office immediately.

Not long after, my number was called to doctor's room. Again, doctor was concerned with the digital blood pressure measuring device result that we got earlier and she uses her manual device to check. It was still high, about 150 she said. She said she might have to prescribe me medicine for that. At least she told me that was borderline.

She then proceed to check baby's growth through sonography. Everything was well, except for baby's abdominal circumference which was a bit small according to their growth chart. She say sometimes the machine at their clinic may not be accurate. That she's gonna refer me to the hospital for two reasons. My blood pressure and rescan the baby's growth. She told me to go immediately. That worries me. I teared a little.

I woke Jonathan up to go with me to the hospital just in case if there's any news I'll have to share with him. It wasn't just about me anymore.

As I reached maternity hospital in HKL, I was lost. I was told to go PAC but I guess I got to the wrong side. I went to the clinic side. Well, I thought they would at least checked the referral letter and point to me where I should go. At that time, I really thought I was at the right place (First time there).

They proceed me with the normal drill. Urine test, weight and bp measurement. My BP was measured 4x when I was at the clinic until they were satisfied with the number (that's cheating) as the previous 3 were all above 140mm Hg (systolic). Finally, at 130 something, she was satisfied and passed my book over to another counter for assessment. When my sequence number was called, I head into the room, only to realize they had not notice the referral letter was to send me to PAC instead (another department). So then I was, sent to PAC on a wheel chair.

Then I found out, PAC stood for Patient Assessment Center, which was why they had so thorough check up on me. I was tested again for my blood pressure, urine, weight and baby's growth scan. Which they too, took few times on my bp and only writing down the satisfied number on the paper. Lucky that my hubby was there because they needed his IC and help to get me food as the blood glucose test shows that I was very low. 3.9 mmol/L.

As the scan and review goes, I've to explain to them again and again how I was feeling. Scan shows baby was okay, but they too got the AC out of range. They were slightly concern about that. Baby shows a difference of 2 weeks' rate.

I was confused as well. Scan at hospital told me that I'm 31w preggy, at KK it was 30w, and private hosp says 29. Now when will I deliver? =____="

Anyway, I was warded for observation in case of hypertension and they want to rule out the possibility of pre eclempsia.

This was my first time getting needled at the back of the palm.

I've been reading other people blogs about their experience in third class ward in Maternity Hospital in HKL. I thought it would be really bad and crowded. It was not. The only thing I agree upon was that it's hot. There were only fans in that level. One fan at the center of 4 beds. It was difficult for me to rest without getting all sweaty.

Food overall was okay. Nurses were friendly. Babies were cute, mothers were friendly too. It feels as though we all understand each other. Being a mother soon, or already a mother.

There were constant checks from the nurses for BP and baby's heartbeat. Which was really nice. The service and care were really good. The more I'm determined to deliver in this hospital and I think I would like to stay in third class ward again despite the hotness. At least there were more nurses walking around and I could get help asap.

Later that evening, I was transferred to another bed which was understandable, they usually move new patients to the front area beds. That new location was much better as I was right under the fan. That night we got supper! Simple bread and milk.

Throughout the midnight, we couldn't really get good rest. From time to time, nurses will come over for BP measurement and baby's heartbeat. Middle of the night I was asked to do urine test. Oh boy.

Next morning, the doctor in charge asked if I did slept well... funny question doctor... I think I could have slept better at home.

That passed, looking at other mothers, I was preparing my own maternity bag list! Looking at them too, made me dilemma about my pregnancy. The patient next to me was having contraction for labour and was inserted pill to enhance the contraction. She was in extreme pain. So pain that she requested for pain killer injection to be able to rest before the opening is right for labour. So much pain that she said, "I should have opted for cesarean... I rather die... Don't want to get pregnant again", that was worrying. 

There were also student that morning that came to do assessment. They asked permission before they start their assessment. I'm always glad to be able to help. Especially I'm curious of my condition too. We learn together, okay? I told them my situation. They were measuring my fetal position and they couldn't find chickpea's position. I told them what I was informed by the doctor. Which was baby breech. According to google, it's that the baby wasn't in the right position as it supposed to. That was also what worries me, but doctor say it's okay to differ 1-2 weeks position. Hopefully the baby would turn by themselves. So yeah, the students couldn't find chickpea's heartbeat and they were trying to figure out where is the head / leg positioned. As one of the student were trying to locate it, my baby kicked hard that she got shocked and apologized. Haha, that was hilarious to me but I really don't mind. Baby has been active these 2 days. Loads of movement even when the students were checking me.

Lunch

That afternoon I got discharged. Hubby came over for the discharge procedure and finally, I'm out! It was indeed an experience to me but at least now I'm not worried about other people's review on the ward classes as they were really attentive and nice.

Now that I have my file open in the hospital, I'll have another place to go for appointments. That's the only annoying part. I'll have to return to the hospital for follow up. GAAHHHH~