Our bundle of joy

So so so busy lately as we've entered into parenthood.

Being a first time mother, I'm easily emotional when it comes to motherhood and my baby. For this entry, I'd like to blog about my experience in giving birth from hospital selection till the birth of our baby, Jacob.

Brace yourself, it's a long post.

As soon as we know that I'm pregnant through home kit test, we confirmed it by getting it checked at the nearest hospital, Columbia Asia Setapak. I was 5 weeks pregnant according to the scan. At that time, we couldn't see the typical baby image from ultrascan but instead, just a sac with a black dot. Thus, we named it Chickpea. Chickpea has became the nickname of our unborn baby at that time reason why is because it was the size of a pea at the first ultrascan and it's rooster zodiac for the Chinese calendar this year.

Getting more and more excited as our next appointment with Dr. Sudha is scheduled monthly as we got to see from the scan the progress of our little baby and knowing that he's healthy. Dr Sudha's words were really comforting as we approach her with many first time parents questions. You know, being extra sensitive to whatever that happens in my body. Even the slightest discomfort. But CAH being a private hospital, the bill was costly per visit. It was range from RM180~RM2xx depending whether there is medicine or not.

As I got into 3 months pregnancy and off the radar from Chinese pregnancy taboo, I began to open up to my brother and sister in law who had experience with kids of their own. SIL advised us to get a pink book from the government clinic which is beneficial to our pocket in the future since their charges is almost free. She also mentioned that in future, children vaccination is free from government bodies if we have that pink book.

Immediately, we get me registered at our nearest KKIA and started monthly checkup there. Meantime, we're still going to CAH because we wanted to see baby's progress through the ultrascan there. Where as KKIA only scans baby if there's complication otherwise on first time and on 28th week pregnancy checkup.

Back and forth every month for checkups at both places and on my 31st week, KKIA discovered I may have PIH (Pregnancy induced hypertension) because my blood pressure shot up to 15x and 16x for repeated reading. I was sent to the hospital straightaway and got admitted to further monitor my blood pressure. The stay was okay, I actually got to listen and watch other mom's experience on pre and post delivery. It was an experience.

I was told to monitor my blood pressure every alternate day and to go straight to hospital if my blood pressure rise up to 140/90. Which luckily, it was controlled, though it was high once a while but lucky enough, I wasn't put into any medication. My next checkup at the hospital with the specialist suggested to deliver (induce) by 38th week because they were worried there may be complication. Which both of us oppose of the idea and insisted to deliver on 40th week since we got advice from other doctor that it's safe to deliver at 40th week if I wasn't on medication. In the end, they let us off but only to have us deliver right on the dot, 40th week itself. Not a day less. PFFT.

I was in dilemma at that moment because on private hospital, my EDD is one week later than the date given by government clinic. Oh well. Baby is considered full term on 37th week but as I read, their lungs are not fully developed. So I still think it's best to let the baby stay in the womb longer as possible.

Fast forward to 40th week, since we have decided to go for government hospital to deliver, I was admitted to hospital on letter a day before my due date. I was monitored and that evening when they check for dilation, I was at 1cm. I was glad when the doctor told me IF the opening goes up to 3cm, then I don't have to get induced.

The next morning at 7am, I got checked again. It was still 1cm. Boo. So they have to induce by inserting some medication into the vagina. :x Bad thing about government hospital is that you don't get to choose your doctor. The medication was inserted by a male doctor, overseen by a female nurse/doctor. 30 minutes later, I feel the effect.

My lower abdomen was having a bad cramp. At 2 noon, I was told that I could enter the labour room when it's available. Excited yet nervous, I told my hubby to come over. Poor him, waited for 5 hours since the room only available at 7pm. There wasn't much empty room as there were too many people also delivering that day and I'll have to be placed at a specific room because of PIH. They were worried if there may be any complications. The cramp was getting worse. I thought I could deliver but it was only 6cm opening.

Earlier before the contraction worsen...The bp measures 160/115 .. yikes.

Then they first rip off the amniotic sac to hasten the process of dilation. It feels as though I was peeing. The water was warm. I was given gas mask and pain killer jab at the butt. Honestly, the mask didnt help at all. The cramp that came every few minutes hurts. I feel like I needed to poop every now and then and that poop is so huge that I couldn't just let go. (That's really how it feels for me)

So this goes on and I was so drowsy from the pain killer, I actually nap when the contraction isn't that bad. When dilation was 8cm, I couldn't stand it. I told the nurse I will try to "poop" although she told me not to force it. At that time, I just want to get it over and done with. Finally at 9~10pm I was told that the opening is 9cm already and we're ready to push. I called my hubby up since he went out for late dinner. He made it in time to accompany me with the push.

Here begin the delivery process.

I was told to take a deep breath and push. So I did. But my throat was so dry, I couldn't force much energy. I wasn't given any water because the nurse afraid I may have to go for c-sec. So as a reminder, don't forget to drink plenty of water! So I continued to push with all my might. Then they finally see the crown of the baby. Nurse cut a little on my skin to assist the opening and to avoid random tear from the push. I could feel the cut but the mind was too focus on delivering the baby, I couldn't care less.

Finally after few minutes, baby was out at 10:57pm. He was placed straightaway on my chest and that beady eyes of his stare right at me. He didn't cry when he was at my chest. Our little angel was just too cute that the image sticks right in my head until now. (2months later as I wrote this line). While he was taken to clean up, the nurse told me to push one more time to deliver the placenta. It was my first time looking at it and it was HUGE. bigger than a baby!

Then the sewing happens. Here's another interesting story. The doctor who sew me up was a new doctor. This was her first delivery. (Glad that only female staff were in the room that night). Hence, this is the first time she stitch up post delivery. What choice do I have. She was assisted by an experienced staff nurse at least who happens to be a mother of my schoolmate. During the process, it was okay until I overheard, "Alamak, ni terjarak sikit" (Oh dear, this spaced a little further) , the stitches. It hurts a little especially when they stitch on the skin.

So there you have it! My story of delivery. It wasn't that bad and it's all worth it. It wasn't scary at all, in fact, it's really exciting to meet the little one. AND, the total cost for delivering at government hospital for me was.... RM 88 ! TOTAL! for normal delivery.

Here's some of our little angel at age 0.

That night itself back at ward