Hi there Diary..
I want to share another interesting journey of my life with you.
Please keep it safely forever here so that I won't forget it for the rest of my life.
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Date : 21st March 2011
Time : Around 9pm ++
Place : Dr. Sabri's room (KPMC Puchong)
Another weekly baby's check up for 37 weeks. As usual, I went in alone since Teddy Jr. got a huge traumatic experience with doctors and small room.
Baby scan. Not good. Dr. Sabri told me that the amount of amniotic fluid for my baby is decreasing. He's afraid my baby will drown due to lack of oxygen inside the womb. The baby's growth also seems to stop since last week. Too small for 37 weeks old baby.
He said I need to be induced.
There was it. My heart seems to stop beating that time. I almost cried when I got out from the doctor's room. I told Teddy about the bad news. I was so worried. I don't want anything bad happen to my dear Little Lotus.
Went to labour room for ECG test. Thank God everything seems normal. The nurse told me that my baby's heart beat rate was like she's running a 100m sprint. She's an active baby and there's really nothing to worry.
The doctor allowed me to go home and asked me to come back the next morning to be induced. He dare not to take any risk to wait any longer. Anything best for my Little Lotus.
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Date : 22nd March 2011
Time : 8.30 am
Place : Dahlia's room (single bedded)
I was admitted. Exhausted and sleepy since I didn't get any sleep the night before. Worried and had too much thought playing in my mind. I totally hate the idea of being induced. I prefer everything to go naturally, without any intervention of drugs.. just like the 1st birth. I already refused the epidural or any pain killer offered by Dr. Sabri. Not that I'm trying to be tough, but I prefer to endure all the pain since it was still bearable last time. It can be my motivation to push harder so that it will reduce the delivery time.
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Time : 1.25pm
From anxious, it easily turns to boredom. I got tired waiting for the doctor to arrive. He finally arrived and apologized because he had few important things need to be done that morning.
He checked the cervix dilation but the are none. No contraction or any signs of labor. He told me he will need to insert the Pitocin to induce labor. It will took about few hours to take effect. Doctor Sabri promised that he will come another 6-7 hours to check for any progress.
So.. I had to wait until 7pm. That long? At that moment I got frustrated because I thought I can have my baby in my arms before night fall. I had a bet with Teddy that she will be born around 2 or 3 pm. Hurmm.. I just need to be more patient.
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Time : around 5.30pm
I felt a little ripping sensation and it seems to come and go regularly. So, this was it. The contractions started. Teddy went out to cheer Teddy Jr. that time. They seems to have a good time together and brought back a lot of snacks and drinks.
I was excited that the waiting will be over anytime now. I walked around the room, played and did a little dance and jumped with Teddy Jr.. Had an apple and few sips of drinks.
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Time : 6.15pm +/-
Things got more intense every minutes. Contractions were getting stronger and nearer. Every 3-5 minutes apart and lasted for about one minute. I felt the muscles tightening, cramped that started from the top of my uterus and spread downward through my back. I can really 'feel' the pain this time. All my muscles were working extra hard as it were 'forced' to do it earlier than it should. Thanks to the Pitocin that already taking it effect in opening the cervix.
Again, the ECG was hooked around my belly to monitor the baby heart rate and contractions.
6.38 pm
The peak on lower chart stands for each contraction
Now this is our secret. Did you notice there were time where almost 'no peak' on the contraction chart? I cheated. I lie on my left side because I feel like by doing that, it reduced the contraction pain. To lie on my back during pregnancy was almost impossible.. torturing my back bone. So, do you expect me to do that during contraction? Nahh..
(Teddy was interested with that ECG machine. He said we should bought 1 at home. Huhh??!)
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Time : 7.00 pm +/-
The pain was almost unbearable. I grabbed Teddy's leg tightly during each contractions and trying my best to allow the pain instead of fighting it. I read somewhere on the net, if you try to fight the pain, it will cause you to feel more painful due to the muscles stressed out. It was pretty awful and I was gasping for air every time it happened. I kept in mind that every contractions will bring my baby closer to me.
So, I guess it's true when people said induced labour is more painful than allowing it to happen naturally. For those who need to be induced, choose to have a C-section instead. Or.. atleast consider to have an epidural earlier. Believe me, if anyone offers me marijuana and told me it can reduce the pain.. I swear that I would have took it! Sadly, the nurse can only offer me pain killer through injection. Without any hesitation, I agreed.
It didn't do much since the pain didn't seems to go away. It didn't even decrease the cramping I have to endure every 2 to 3 minutes apart. I started to wonder, "Did she inject me with plain water instead of pain killer?"
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Time : 7.45pm
Finally, I was in the labor room. Teddy kissed me on my lips as I was being brought there in the wheel chair. He stayed behind with Teddy Jr. It was our little agreement that if he can't be there for me in the labor room, he must give me the best hospitality and services we can get. That's why we opt for private hospital - KPMC Puchong instead of government.
The nurse checked for the cervix opening. 3 cm. I freaked out. "With all this awful pain, all it does is just 3 cm?!!" I started to imagine all the horrible things that might happen.. and money that will be spend if I need to get an emergency C-section. It might cost us about RM 5-7000.
I was given the IV drip. The nurse called Dr. Sabri and asked him to assist me. Suddenly I felt the urge to push. It's hard to remain calm and not to push the baby out.
'Breath in. Breath out. In. Out. Don't push. Not yet..' I kept reminding myself.
Nurse Adibah checked the cervix opening again. She suddenly asked other 2 nurses in the labor room to get ready. They put on their gloves and cloth protector.
Nurse Adibah told me to push slowly. Finally!! That's the words I was dying to hear.
.First push.
I can feel the baby's head moving along the cervix path. I can really feel it this time as I was more prepared and knew exactly what will happen. Unlike before, I was panicking to death and didn't even aware what was happening to my body.
I rested a while and wait until the next contraction came.
.Second push.
The baby's head was out! It didn't hurt at all. The contractions were the worst. Worst than crowning the baby's head.
.Third push.
My Little Lotus was completely out. She's born on 7.58pm. Her tiny body was placed on my tummy. I recited "Alhamdulillah" a few times. No other perfect words than that to describe how glad I was to welcome her to the world. She's a healthy baby weighing 2.5kg.
Dr. Sabri came in when everything was over. He was surprised on how quick my labor progress, from 3cm to fully dilated. He came in a little bit too late to conduct the baby. He inspect my condition and I was given a few stitches. I was lucky because the tear was not so severe and the stitching process only took 5-10 minutes.
I was told that the baby's umbilical cord was tangled in a knot. Most cases, the baby only got 50% chances to be born alive. Alhamdulillah again. Everything was fine with my baby. Thank God we did the right decision. Inducing the baby was the reason she still alive.
I was too exhausted. My body felt numb due to the fierce contractions before. I barely can keep my eyes open and fell asleep in the labour room.
Elisa Lana, 1 day old.
My perfect little family.
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There. My 2nd birth experience. I'm sorry if I scare you with my story. Overall, actually that wasn't so bad after all. Although the contractions were worst than before, but it helped a lot in opening a clear path for my baby in no time. Compared to the first birth, just a mild cramping until the last minutes. I had to bear that for few hours and didn't really motivate me to push harder.
Yes, I am willing to go through all that pain again in another 4-5 years. It was a great experience, through blood, sweat and tears.. and really worth it. I'm now a mother of two to my dear Teddy Jr. and Little Lotus.
.I feel complete. Blessed. Great.
I am a Superwoman.
"My Daddy wants you to call me Elise.
I am his Lotus Elise.."
