I decided to keep a record of the rising cost in giving birth...
5 years back when I delivered Charlotte, the hospital bill cash upfront is about $3200. Today, same procedures, it cost $6800.
Based on 2014 rate,
Before week 12 every visit is ala carte, 2 visits cost : $400
A trip to Kk for drip due to dehydration : $200+
Other trips to GP and off the shelf medication for morning sickness : estimated $200
Prenatal package starting from week 12 : $1500
Oscar and detailed check estimated $500
Hospital bill based on natural with use of epidural
Cash top up : $6800
Baby jaundice check x2 times estimated $200
Post natal based on 2014 rate,
28 days confiement nanny :$2500, I extended her for 4 days so total $2858
Bathing herb $35, cooking herbs $300
Food purchase over confiement period : $700
Massage for 10 session post natal : $670
I did a couple of pre natal at $60 each session
We spend about $2000 on baby shower celebration, invited about 70 pax.
We got a maid in to take care of baby, the agent fee, plus insurance and misc : $1500
Baby items also cost quite a fair bit,
Breast pump 2nd hand $150
Components shield $31 + $28 (soft shield which is not useful)
Milk storage bottle in pack of 3 I bought 3 sets: $30 per set
Nuk teat and stuff :$30
Sterilizer : $60
Mattress : $40 (other bedding needs from hand me down from friends)
Other items like milk powder and diaper I did not count in as these are regular item.
It sound scary but just these item above... It's $18,000 plus plus ... Note... I did not include those amount taken from medisave... With that it is easily $20,000!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Exclusive pumping Eping
Like what this article has epically mention ; (http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/exclusive-pumping/)
"Sadly, many (including health care providers) will tell mom that this is crazy idea, and “it’ll never work”; “you’ll run out of milk”; or will say “you simply will not be able to keep up”. Without the support and information she needs, a mom may simply give up. Those who don’t give up often are faced with other issues to overcome. They often feel like they are in a class by themselves, excluded from the usual groups of moms who typically form into “support groups” either for breastfeeding mothers, or for formula feeding mothers."
I have my own reason for being Eping. I find it easier to manage baby feeding pattern as I get to know how much baby is drinking. I wasn't aware of this term until I start researching on if my body is able to produce milk to cater to baby growing needs without direct latching. I ever saw a mummy post on forum that when baby latch, the mummy body is able to produce the right amount of nutrients to the baby growing need. So it got me wonder if my body is able to "tune" itself without the latch.
After googling, I did not really find the answer to my question. Nonetheless, I am glad to know I am not alone to stand by my choice on exclusive pumping instead of direct latching.
After googling, I did not really find the answer to my question. Nonetheless, I am glad to know I am not alone to stand by my choice on exclusive pumping instead of direct latching.
Battle just started... Breast feeding journal part 1
For this time... I got a confinement lady and I would say it's my best decision for confinement needs. The auntie supposed to come on the day we discharged but she had some knee issue and she requested to come 1 day later. I am ok with it. So 1st day after we reach home we just did some simple cooking for dinner. But night time taking care of baby is nightmare. Probably we lost touched or it's a different experience between Charlotte and Clovy. During Charlotte time, I do not have much milk supply. Day 2 in hospital I have requested for the nurse to formula feed Charlotte. Charlotte is also unable to latch well... Not sure if it's due to her impatient character or I do not have milk for her... So her feeding needs is mainly formula.
With Clovy, before she was born, I already notice some discharge and these are signs or pre-milk, colostrum. The day she arrived, she was able to latch on and on direct latch throughout our stay in the hospital. When we reached home, I have formula on standby based on our experience with Charlotte. The 1st night I tried latched on but she was still crying so we gave some formula. When the CL arrived she commented that Clovy is not full and dehydrated. She immediately gave her a bottle of formula. From the minute Clovy arrived, I did not manage to "sleep through" the night even with the CL. I still remembered with Charlotte, I managed to sleep 1 full night on day 2 of hospital stay. Clovy was due to latching at night so I didn't get undisturbed sleep. Now with the supply of milk, I didn't get undisturbed sleep as well even those I do not have to do night duty during confinement period.
My supply of milk is a battle for me... I woke up every 3 hours to pump. Clovy sleep with the CL at night and she is on formula at night as recommended by the CL so that Clovy can get more nutrients. I agreed to the arrangement as I do feel that my breast milk is very watery.
My breast feeding journey is a "roller coaster" ride. After 1 week my milk supply came and I was battling with blocked ducts. Chilled cabbage is my saviour. The CL made a lot of soup for me and she commented that milk supply will only increase with increase intake of liquid. After 2 week, I was down on fever due to a blocked duct. I could feel a ball like thingy... I get the massage lady to help clear... She use her "cow" strength and did not manage to remove it... I applied the first chilled cabbage. The cold compressed provides some release of heat. I also tried to get a lot of advise on breast feeding from my cousin who has a lot of supply of milk. The first experienced with blocked duct really made me very demoralized and wanted to stop breast feeding. I also tried direct latch to get Clovy to help "sucked" out the blockage. I was also on mummy chat group. There are many school of thoughts... There are mummies who are super pro Breastfeeding especially direct latch... So they just latch on demand which is damm tiring... Because I noticed from Clovy, she will suck and sleep half full... The minute you put her down, she starts to cry...never if she manage to sleep, it will just be a while. So I pump and let CL bottle fed her.
By the 3rd week, I am averagely pumping about 70ml but her demand is about 90ml. Since she is on mixed of breast milk and formula, I am not concern about supply...I am more worried about blocked duct. Whenever the milk is "coming", I could feel that it's like going to burst out... I also started freezing some breast milk from night pump. From the first experienced on blocked duct, I wanted to cut down my supply or stop Breastfeeding... So I tried to get some "advise" online... I tried to drag the interval. Guess what, I end up with blocked duct again! Luckily I managed to clear it and did not get fever from it.
Based on 2 blocked ducts incidents, I also learn that milk supply will established from week 6 to 8. It might be too early for me to to anything funny. So I begin religiously pumping. On the day we had Clovy's full month celebration, I brought the pump along to pump in the car even under the intense heat from the afternoon sun. That evening after the event, I was down with fever again! I do not understand why. That night I got some advised from friend to stop drinking fish soup. I told the CL I do not want any more fish soup. She says it's not the problem with the soup. She used a towel in hot water bath and massage for me. I was thinking it's going to hurt badly but I was surprised that this method actually provide some release! I did hot compressed to clear blocked duct earlier but I only do spot heat compressed which make that blocked duct spot even more painful. What the CL did was to apply to the whole area. Then the hot towel did help to open up the milk pores. When she saw that I m only using 1/3 of the pump strength, she says no wonder I got blocked duct... Because I most probably did not empty the milk every pump. I told her it's painful to use high pressure from the pump. I normally did not apply hot compressed before pump, so I would start from low speed to stimulate then higher speed later on... Something I read from google search as well.
But not all method work on all people. Now I found a more effective method from the CL advise. I will apply hot compressed to the whole area before pumping... This helps to open the milk pores... Then I can immediately use higher pressure pumping. With this method, I manage to cut down the machine pumping to 15 min instead of 30 min previously. The machine will pump about 15 min and I will noticed that the output becomes smaller. I will stop the pump and hand expressed to clear. I also did a check to ensure the milk has been emptied. The check is done by pushing from all angle to ensure no more output of milk. With this method, each yield is minimally 100ml.
I also realized that wearing clothes that is too tight does caused blocked ducts. Because there is 1 noon I slept in tighter top I got a blockage on the side that I slept on. Thus, I suspect the blocked duct from baby shower is due to tight top.
With breast feeding I also face the dilemma of both ftwm and sahm. When Charlotte arrived I got no CL no helper and took care of her myself till week 7 and I was down with fever... back then I got no milk so no bf... after the fever episode I faster got a helper in and train the helper to take care bb b4 I go back to work. Back then my conclusion is I cannot be a sahm.
5 years later today. I got a CL and glad I got her because I have milk supply so battling with engorgement and blocked duct... before CL go back, I was worried how how I can managed pumping and taking care of baby. I know a lot of mothers faced this issue and majority will do direct latch to minimize washing and stuff but I do not wish to be a human pacifier. I managed to get a helper to come 4 days before CL leave... now training her but she is very inexperienced and still need a lot of guidance. .. this got me very worried and at this moment I really dare not leave baby in her hand out of sight. I read those blog entry I did in the past from my past helper who take care of Charlotte. My ex helper had experienced with baby and was able to get into momentum very fast. This helper has zero experienced with baby, but I choose her because she match majority of my requirement, and she does have some experienced with her nephew and nieces... So weighing the pros and cons I decided to try her out. After 3 days of training, she still not really on the ball.... I start to questioned is it I m being impatient... I keep thinking maybe I will have to take care baby myself longer to wait till baby grow stronger and bigger to be safe in the maid's care.... the thought of sahm flash across my mind... But I m not sure how that would work out.... It will be terrible in financial wise.... Mentally wise I am not sure if I can manage facing baby 24 by 7.....feeling torn :(
Another factor I have to consider is Charlotte. I tried not to devote 100% of my time to baby. We have been prepping charlotte for the little one. Nonetheless she do show a bit of attitude problem after arrival of Clovy. Most of the time is attention seeking. She goes to cc in the day and when she is back in the evening time she will tend to get my attention to do this and that with her. I try to spend some of "these" quality time with her... during the time when I need to do something else, I kept her inform of where I m. For example, when I m going into the room... I will tell her I m going into the room... sometimes she follow and sit there to play her toys or ipad. I guess for their age they want to be involved and felt left out when not knowing what we are doing. I also felt her sense of insecurity especially with more stranger at home. It started with the CL staying in and I explained to her aunty is here to take care of baby and mummy for 1 month. Then the helper which I explained to her that kaka(sister) will take care of baby when mummy go back to work. There was once she asked me why our home got so many people.
Charlotte has also her sweet side... Before delivery of Clovy, I told her I would not be able to bath her after baby come out because I cannot touch water, reason being I will be in pain. And the first night in hospital she saw that I can't get down the bed, I explain my backside pain (easy explanation). Then the breast feeding journey, she saw my breast pain. There was once she wrote a small note, "because u pain pain, I love u". Yesterday, she say mummy u cannot touch water. I told her that is for 1 month only and it over. Now I can touch water. She asked your backside still pain? I say no... I am actually surprised that she remembered. I ever told her that when baby is out I would not be going to work for a while.... Yesterday out of the blue, she said, mummy u not working, you can take my money (piggy bank)... It was really sweet of her. She also drew this for me during my bf "roller coaster" stage.
From pregnancy till confinement, Charlotte has been spending a lot of time with her father as I can't help her with a lot of the daily chores. So after confinement, we managed to spend some time together. Last Friday evening after dinner, I wanted to buy some stuff from compasspoint. So I took the opportunity to go out as the CL is still with us to take care of baby. I brought Charlotte with me so we went buying mattress cover on promotion (ad hoc), some cosmetic which was what I wanted to get. And finally sharing a mr bean ice cream cone together before heading home.
There are also evil sides of Charlotte. During my last trimester with a big belly, I told her I can't twist my body to help her changed when she is lying down. She likes to lie down on her bed in the morning and expect me to pull her pj out for her... Back then I show her how I can't turn with my tummy and ask her to stand up to change out of her pj. After delivery, she lie on the bed again and I requested her to stand up. She said, now u got no tummy, why you cannot turn. I almost puke out flesh blood!
Side track.... My CL cook really nice food... I only took 2 photos as most of the time I would have gobbled up all the food before it turn cold :P
Photo with Auntie Mary, my CL. We brought her to a farewell dinner at House of Seafood.
With Clovy, before she was born, I already notice some discharge and these are signs or pre-milk, colostrum. The day she arrived, she was able to latch on and on direct latch throughout our stay in the hospital. When we reached home, I have formula on standby based on our experience with Charlotte. The 1st night I tried latched on but she was still crying so we gave some formula. When the CL arrived she commented that Clovy is not full and dehydrated. She immediately gave her a bottle of formula. From the minute Clovy arrived, I did not manage to "sleep through" the night even with the CL. I still remembered with Charlotte, I managed to sleep 1 full night on day 2 of hospital stay. Clovy was due to latching at night so I didn't get undisturbed sleep. Now with the supply of milk, I didn't get undisturbed sleep as well even those I do not have to do night duty during confinement period.
My supply of milk is a battle for me... I woke up every 3 hours to pump. Clovy sleep with the CL at night and she is on formula at night as recommended by the CL so that Clovy can get more nutrients. I agreed to the arrangement as I do feel that my breast milk is very watery.
My breast feeding journey is a "roller coaster" ride. After 1 week my milk supply came and I was battling with blocked ducts. Chilled cabbage is my saviour. The CL made a lot of soup for me and she commented that milk supply will only increase with increase intake of liquid. After 2 week, I was down on fever due to a blocked duct. I could feel a ball like thingy... I get the massage lady to help clear... She use her "cow" strength and did not manage to remove it... I applied the first chilled cabbage. The cold compressed provides some release of heat. I also tried to get a lot of advise on breast feeding from my cousin who has a lot of supply of milk. The first experienced with blocked duct really made me very demoralized and wanted to stop breast feeding. I also tried direct latch to get Clovy to help "sucked" out the blockage. I was also on mummy chat group. There are many school of thoughts... There are mummies who are super pro Breastfeeding especially direct latch... So they just latch on demand which is damm tiring... Because I noticed from Clovy, she will suck and sleep half full... The minute you put her down, she starts to cry...never if she manage to sleep, it will just be a while. So I pump and let CL bottle fed her.
By the 3rd week, I am averagely pumping about 70ml but her demand is about 90ml. Since she is on mixed of breast milk and formula, I am not concern about supply...I am more worried about blocked duct. Whenever the milk is "coming", I could feel that it's like going to burst out... I also started freezing some breast milk from night pump. From the first experienced on blocked duct, I wanted to cut down my supply or stop Breastfeeding... So I tried to get some "advise" online... I tried to drag the interval. Guess what, I end up with blocked duct again! Luckily I managed to clear it and did not get fever from it.
Based on 2 blocked ducts incidents, I also learn that milk supply will established from week 6 to 8. It might be too early for me to to anything funny. So I begin religiously pumping. On the day we had Clovy's full month celebration, I brought the pump along to pump in the car even under the intense heat from the afternoon sun. That evening after the event, I was down with fever again! I do not understand why. That night I got some advised from friend to stop drinking fish soup. I told the CL I do not want any more fish soup. She says it's not the problem with the soup. She used a towel in hot water bath and massage for me. I was thinking it's going to hurt badly but I was surprised that this method actually provide some release! I did hot compressed to clear blocked duct earlier but I only do spot heat compressed which make that blocked duct spot even more painful. What the CL did was to apply to the whole area. Then the hot towel did help to open up the milk pores. When she saw that I m only using 1/3 of the pump strength, she says no wonder I got blocked duct... Because I most probably did not empty the milk every pump. I told her it's painful to use high pressure from the pump. I normally did not apply hot compressed before pump, so I would start from low speed to stimulate then higher speed later on... Something I read from google search as well.
But not all method work on all people. Now I found a more effective method from the CL advise. I will apply hot compressed to the whole area before pumping... This helps to open the milk pores... Then I can immediately use higher pressure pumping. With this method, I manage to cut down the machine pumping to 15 min instead of 30 min previously. The machine will pump about 15 min and I will noticed that the output becomes smaller. I will stop the pump and hand expressed to clear. I also did a check to ensure the milk has been emptied. The check is done by pushing from all angle to ensure no more output of milk. With this method, each yield is minimally 100ml.
I also realized that wearing clothes that is too tight does caused blocked ducts. Because there is 1 noon I slept in tighter top I got a blockage on the side that I slept on. Thus, I suspect the blocked duct from baby shower is due to tight top.
With breast feeding I also face the dilemma of both ftwm and sahm. When Charlotte arrived I got no CL no helper and took care of her myself till week 7 and I was down with fever... back then I got no milk so no bf... after the fever episode I faster got a helper in and train the helper to take care bb b4 I go back to work. Back then my conclusion is I cannot be a sahm.
5 years later today. I got a CL and glad I got her because I have milk supply so battling with engorgement and blocked duct... before CL go back, I was worried how how I can managed pumping and taking care of baby. I know a lot of mothers faced this issue and majority will do direct latch to minimize washing and stuff but I do not wish to be a human pacifier. I managed to get a helper to come 4 days before CL leave... now training her but she is very inexperienced and still need a lot of guidance. .. this got me very worried and at this moment I really dare not leave baby in her hand out of sight. I read those blog entry I did in the past from my past helper who take care of Charlotte. My ex helper had experienced with baby and was able to get into momentum very fast. This helper has zero experienced with baby, but I choose her because she match majority of my requirement, and she does have some experienced with her nephew and nieces... So weighing the pros and cons I decided to try her out. After 3 days of training, she still not really on the ball.... I start to questioned is it I m being impatient... I keep thinking maybe I will have to take care baby myself longer to wait till baby grow stronger and bigger to be safe in the maid's care.... the thought of sahm flash across my mind... But I m not sure how that would work out.... It will be terrible in financial wise.... Mentally wise I am not sure if I can manage facing baby 24 by 7.....feeling torn :(
Another factor I have to consider is Charlotte. I tried not to devote 100% of my time to baby. We have been prepping charlotte for the little one. Nonetheless she do show a bit of attitude problem after arrival of Clovy. Most of the time is attention seeking. She goes to cc in the day and when she is back in the evening time she will tend to get my attention to do this and that with her. I try to spend some of "these" quality time with her... during the time when I need to do something else, I kept her inform of where I m. For example, when I m going into the room... I will tell her I m going into the room... sometimes she follow and sit there to play her toys or ipad. I guess for their age they want to be involved and felt left out when not knowing what we are doing. I also felt her sense of insecurity especially with more stranger at home. It started with the CL staying in and I explained to her aunty is here to take care of baby and mummy for 1 month. Then the helper which I explained to her that kaka(sister) will take care of baby when mummy go back to work. There was once she asked me why our home got so many people.
Charlotte has also her sweet side... Before delivery of Clovy, I told her I would not be able to bath her after baby come out because I cannot touch water, reason being I will be in pain. And the first night in hospital she saw that I can't get down the bed, I explain my backside pain (easy explanation). Then the breast feeding journey, she saw my breast pain. There was once she wrote a small note, "because u pain pain, I love u". Yesterday, she say mummy u cannot touch water. I told her that is for 1 month only and it over. Now I can touch water. She asked your backside still pain? I say no... I am actually surprised that she remembered. I ever told her that when baby is out I would not be going to work for a while.... Yesterday out of the blue, she said, mummy u not working, you can take my money (piggy bank)... It was really sweet of her. She also drew this for me during my bf "roller coaster" stage.
From pregnancy till confinement, Charlotte has been spending a lot of time with her father as I can't help her with a lot of the daily chores. So after confinement, we managed to spend some time together. Last Friday evening after dinner, I wanted to buy some stuff from compasspoint. So I took the opportunity to go out as the CL is still with us to take care of baby. I brought Charlotte with me so we went buying mattress cover on promotion (ad hoc), some cosmetic which was what I wanted to get. And finally sharing a mr bean ice cream cone together before heading home.
There are also evil sides of Charlotte. During my last trimester with a big belly, I told her I can't twist my body to help her changed when she is lying down. She likes to lie down on her bed in the morning and expect me to pull her pj out for her... Back then I show her how I can't turn with my tummy and ask her to stand up to change out of her pj. After delivery, she lie on the bed again and I requested her to stand up. She said, now u got no tummy, why you cannot turn. I almost puke out flesh blood!
Side track.... My CL cook really nice food... I only took 2 photos as most of the time I would have gobbled up all the food before it turn cold :P
Photo with Auntie Mary, my CL. We brought her to a farewell dinner at House of Seafood.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Welcome NJ II ~ Clovy Tan
On Monday16 June morning I was feeling funny and saw some discharge which I concluded it could be the mucus plug. I did not see any mucus plug when having Charlotte. I was deciding if I should go to work or call the hospital.... As my gynea would be in her compasspoint outlet on Monday, I decided to go to work and monitor.... Nothing happen on Monday...
In the middle of the night of Tuesday, 17 June, I experience some leaking.... Not a lot to be alarm kind... And some contraction which is happen over the past few nights too.... I try to sleep till morning and told Nick that I think I will not go to work and call up the hospital later... We send Charlotte to school and went for breakfast before I call the clinic in the hospital at 8.30am. I told my boss and colleague that I m not sure if it's a false sign....
The nurse check with my gynea and suggest I make my way to the hospital and head straight to the labour ward. I knew it's going to be today! At 10am, We arrived at raffles hospital and head to level 8 labour ward... Room 2 where Doc Watt name is on the signage... Doc Watt came in less than a min after we arrived. She jokingly made the remark... "U are anxious to delivery rite" I changed into the gown and getting ready for inspection.... Doc said I m 3 cm dilate... She broke the water bag and this time round I dun feel relieve and the gushing of water wasn't that strong also. She mentioned that it will depends on the speed of how the cervix open up... She will inject oxytocin later on. She suggested that I take the epidural immediately... But I wasn't having any contraction... She said it's going to hurt badly once the oxytocin is in.... So I agreed to the epidural immediately...
It was the same doc as 5 years back for the epidural... But the experience is damm bad... I was close to tear when he poke in the needle. 1 nurse was holding on to me to make sure I relax else the needle can't go in.... I dun remember the epidural being so painful 5 years back. Conclusion..... I had the epidural too late during Charlotte time... The contraction pain was much more than the epidural injection back then.
As the delivery ward is quite empty for the day I guess... The nurse keep coming in to check on me... Back then during Charlotte time... The labour wards are full and the nurses seldom come in.... This time is different. Nick went to drink kopi with Joey and Daniel who is also at the hospital for their checkup with Doc Watt... And I m glad I had my breakfast before admission.
At 12pm, Doc Watt came in and check on me... I am only 4cm... She asked the nurse to put in the cathera to drain the urine... She says the full bladder is blocking the baby from descending.... She expect the delivery to be in early noon...Earlier on the nurse did ask if I want to put... I says if can hold on I prefer later ...stupid choice.... Because after she drain the urine...at 1.30pm, after 1 hour 30 min... I was already 7 cm! On and off the nurse keep asking if I want to increase the epidural, I say no... as I do not want to be overdose by medication.... Somehow or rather, I do agree that by taking the epidural earlier did help lessen the suffering.... I could feel the contraction and it was all in the bearable range. The nurse explain that during Charlotte time it could be the late introduction of epidural which did not have enough time to act on my body and thus the painful contraction felt back then. This time round I was able to concentrate and "enjoy" every contraction. The poor hb did get any scolding this time... I was jokingly telling him that we can still hold a conversation this time round... He said he dare not speak because last round he keep talking and I was angrily telling him do not talk to me.... Hahahhaah...
At 2pm... The nurse came in to warm the baby bed... Woh... Nowadays the baby has warm bed waiting....I ask the nurse if I m at the peak of contraction .... She said it on the peak already.... The contractions are really manageable with the epidural... Then 2 midwives came in and ask me to push... We tried lying down, on the side and a new style which is like dog peeing... I ask the midwives if this is a new "position"... She said it has been a old style... Hahahha.... As I can feel the contraction, I knew it coming before the chart...hahahah... After half an hour, Doc Watt came in to check on me and said she will be back in 30 min... The midwives continue to help me to push... One of the midwife asked if I want to see my own pushing... I asked how? She said by mirror... I answered why not.... I was thinking this is going to be my last time giving birth as I do not think we would have number 3. The midwife said some people are scared to see... I told her, instead of watching you tube, I would prefer to see my own... I knew Nick dare not see... I told him not to see if he is uncomfortable. I know how scary it was as I have been scared by those you tubes... Hahahahha
She positioned a mirror just right "there" so that I get a good view... I know it sound gruesome but it's mother nature of how things work... When I pushed... I could catch a glimps of the hair! When I relax the opening close... I thought I have to push out the head myself... So with every contraction I try my might to push. I was also wondering how come the leg hold gadget has yet to be set up. After a while, the midwives walk out of the room leaving nick questioning why they just walked off? I just keep on pushing with every contraction. They returned shortly with Doc Watt... In the speed of light, Doc Watt changed into the "fish monger" outfit... The nurses transform the bed with the leg stand...Doc Watt asked if I am exhausted... I replied no as I was all ready to the finale! I saw Doc Watt taking the scissor and I knew it coming so I tried not to see... With 2 midwives one at each side pushing my tummy and Doc Watt was digging (I could feel).... Baby Clovy is out in 3 final pushes. Nick said 1 push the head out, another one the whole body just gush out. I could feel I use "cow strength" in the final pushes... It's just natural. Baby Clovy was put on my tummy and the miracle feeling was felt once again... It happen 5 years back and the feeling is the same... I guess with every child, the feeling is always awesome.
After a while, baby Clovy was handed back to the nurse and I saw her private when they put her in the warm bed... I told nick, it's a girl! We weren't sure throughout the Preggy because of mixed "signs"... Nonetheless, the name Clovy was given before she arrived... Hahahah... Doc Watt "finished" the final part... collected the cord blood as I made arrangement to donate to national cord blood bank. I wasn't show the placenta this time round.., so I asked Doc Watt if my placenta is ok.. She said no problem.
We get some bonding time with Baby Clovy before she was send to shower. :)
A drawing from Charlotte upon the arrival of her little sister.
In the middle of the night of Tuesday, 17 June, I experience some leaking.... Not a lot to be alarm kind... And some contraction which is happen over the past few nights too.... I try to sleep till morning and told Nick that I think I will not go to work and call up the hospital later... We send Charlotte to school and went for breakfast before I call the clinic in the hospital at 8.30am. I told my boss and colleague that I m not sure if it's a false sign....
The nurse check with my gynea and suggest I make my way to the hospital and head straight to the labour ward. I knew it's going to be today! At 10am, We arrived at raffles hospital and head to level 8 labour ward... Room 2 where Doc Watt name is on the signage... Doc Watt came in less than a min after we arrived. She jokingly made the remark... "U are anxious to delivery rite" I changed into the gown and getting ready for inspection.... Doc said I m 3 cm dilate... She broke the water bag and this time round I dun feel relieve and the gushing of water wasn't that strong also. She mentioned that it will depends on the speed of how the cervix open up... She will inject oxytocin later on. She suggested that I take the epidural immediately... But I wasn't having any contraction... She said it's going to hurt badly once the oxytocin is in.... So I agreed to the epidural immediately...
It was the same doc as 5 years back for the epidural... But the experience is damm bad... I was close to tear when he poke in the needle. 1 nurse was holding on to me to make sure I relax else the needle can't go in.... I dun remember the epidural being so painful 5 years back. Conclusion..... I had the epidural too late during Charlotte time... The contraction pain was much more than the epidural injection back then.
As the delivery ward is quite empty for the day I guess... The nurse keep coming in to check on me... Back then during Charlotte time... The labour wards are full and the nurses seldom come in.... This time is different. Nick went to drink kopi with Joey and Daniel who is also at the hospital for their checkup with Doc Watt... And I m glad I had my breakfast before admission.
At 12pm, Doc Watt came in and check on me... I am only 4cm... She asked the nurse to put in the cathera to drain the urine... She says the full bladder is blocking the baby from descending.... She expect the delivery to be in early noon...Earlier on the nurse did ask if I want to put... I says if can hold on I prefer later ...stupid choice.... Because after she drain the urine...at 1.30pm, after 1 hour 30 min... I was already 7 cm! On and off the nurse keep asking if I want to increase the epidural, I say no... as I do not want to be overdose by medication.... Somehow or rather, I do agree that by taking the epidural earlier did help lessen the suffering.... I could feel the contraction and it was all in the bearable range. The nurse explain that during Charlotte time it could be the late introduction of epidural which did not have enough time to act on my body and thus the painful contraction felt back then. This time round I was able to concentrate and "enjoy" every contraction. The poor hb did get any scolding this time... I was jokingly telling him that we can still hold a conversation this time round... He said he dare not speak because last round he keep talking and I was angrily telling him do not talk to me.... Hahahhaah...
At 2pm... The nurse came in to warm the baby bed... Woh... Nowadays the baby has warm bed waiting....I ask the nurse if I m at the peak of contraction .... She said it on the peak already.... The contractions are really manageable with the epidural... Then 2 midwives came in and ask me to push... We tried lying down, on the side and a new style which is like dog peeing... I ask the midwives if this is a new "position"... She said it has been a old style... Hahahha.... As I can feel the contraction, I knew it coming before the chart...hahahah... After half an hour, Doc Watt came in to check on me and said she will be back in 30 min... The midwives continue to help me to push... One of the midwife asked if I want to see my own pushing... I asked how? She said by mirror... I answered why not.... I was thinking this is going to be my last time giving birth as I do not think we would have number 3. The midwife said some people are scared to see... I told her, instead of watching you tube, I would prefer to see my own... I knew Nick dare not see... I told him not to see if he is uncomfortable. I know how scary it was as I have been scared by those you tubes... Hahahahha
She positioned a mirror just right "there" so that I get a good view... I know it sound gruesome but it's mother nature of how things work... When I pushed... I could catch a glimps of the hair! When I relax the opening close... I thought I have to push out the head myself... So with every contraction I try my might to push. I was also wondering how come the leg hold gadget has yet to be set up. After a while, the midwives walk out of the room leaving nick questioning why they just walked off? I just keep on pushing with every contraction. They returned shortly with Doc Watt... In the speed of light, Doc Watt changed into the "fish monger" outfit... The nurses transform the bed with the leg stand...Doc Watt asked if I am exhausted... I replied no as I was all ready to the finale! I saw Doc Watt taking the scissor and I knew it coming so I tried not to see... With 2 midwives one at each side pushing my tummy and Doc Watt was digging (I could feel).... Baby Clovy is out in 3 final pushes. Nick said 1 push the head out, another one the whole body just gush out. I could feel I use "cow strength" in the final pushes... It's just natural. Baby Clovy was put on my tummy and the miracle feeling was felt once again... It happen 5 years back and the feeling is the same... I guess with every child, the feeling is always awesome.
After a while, baby Clovy was handed back to the nurse and I saw her private when they put her in the warm bed... I told nick, it's a girl! We weren't sure throughout the Preggy because of mixed "signs"... Nonetheless, the name Clovy was given before she arrived... Hahahah... Doc Watt "finished" the final part... collected the cord blood as I made arrangement to donate to national cord blood bank. I wasn't show the placenta this time round.., so I asked Doc Watt if my placenta is ok.. She said no problem.
We get some bonding time with Baby Clovy before she was send to shower. :)
A drawing from Charlotte upon the arrival of her little sister.
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