The Labour Story Part 2

Warning: Get comfy, this is a long post. If you are reading this because you are looking for reviews of the doctors in this post, hope this will find you well, but please make your own informed decision and not solely rely on my experience to decide on the best medical care that you so deserve.

Caution: If you are reading this because you are the doctor concerned and you Google-d yourself, go to the last paragraphs for the best bits! *big smile*

Maybe the last caution: If you are here because you are a PETRONAS staff, I'd say take a labour room and suite tour, meet and interview the doctors yourself for the best possible maternity benefit. Wish I was still with PETRONAS, heh! If you are wondering if PCMC is the best facility around KLCC, I'd say "YES!".

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A much-delayed, heavily-edited post with grammatical errors everywhere...my sincerest apologies!

After dinner at The Flat Upstairs, we returned home to start the evening routine and put The Little Girl to bed. She finally slept at about 9.30 pm after a stack of bedtime stories and 2 bottles of milk.

By then, I was feeling some contractions and casually dismissed them as Braxton-Hicks. The Other Half wondered if this was the real deal but I shrugged it off, as it would be really embarrassing to show up at PCMC with yet another false alarm.

This time, I was going to wait for the show. The real deal. No more false alarm, please. I hate vaginal exams, remember?

So the evening wore on. We finished watching Bourne Identity and although I was feeling some discomfort, I enjoyed re-watching the movie. 

My bump looked like it was turning at one point, contorted itself into a funny crescent shape like it did a lot in my first pregnancy. My gut feeling told me it was a good sign. I had been "spinning the baby".

Honestly, we were quite glad that Bean had finally decided to turn and clear the occiput posterior situation for me. Bless this kid! I'd thought maybe now I won't have the reputed painful back labour?

When the movie ended, we went to bed. I replied all the outstanding whatsapp messages, made sure my side of the bed was lined and drifted off to sleep with a bit of grunts in trying to find a cosy spot, blessed by the thought that these were going to be last few days of the baby lying on top of me from within me.

Then at 2.50 am, I felt an urge to pee. I thought maybe at 39 weeks 3 days along, it'd be safer to have the lights on at the bathroom instead of fumbling in the dark. Our flat is always semi-lit as the other buildings surrounding us is always lit at night, and we can manage walking about at night without the lights on. Small fringe benefit for living in the city of lights...

However, on that particular night, I flicked the switch on, as I had listened to my better judgment. Just as well the lights were on!

What came after the pee was something I had not seen before!

 

A slug!! A firm, agar-agar, clear slug of me!!

 

From my vajayjay!! *GASP*

 

I was positively taken aback and double-checked online with Baby Centre if that was indeed my clear mucuos plug. There was no pain, the contractions were light and at the interval that I had gotten used to.

The results for my search was encouraging.

Hooray! It was a sure sign of early labour! My body is designed for birthing mantra played in my head and most importantly, prayers for forgiveness of all my sins started in my heart without prompting.

Quiet as a mouse (I am not a drama queen, obviously), I waddled back into the master bedroom to wake The Other Half up from his deep sleep. I didn't want to wake The Little Girl (who still slept with us then) so I was sure not to make too much of a ruckus.

"Dada (meaning my husband), we have to get to the hospital. I lost my mucuos plug! Call Dada (meaning my FIL) and Mama (meaning my MIL) to come here and sleep with her (meaning The Little Girl)", I whispered.

He rang his parents in his "semi-comatose state". I went to get the packed and ready to go hospital bag, added some dates into the snack bag and changed into my going-out-to-PCMC-to-birth-Bean outfit complete with headscarf and all.

Within a few minutes, my MIL and FIL were at our door. Kisses and salams were exchanged, the bags were loaded into the family 4WD and off we went to "greet our Bean".

It was not a quiet city at all, even at 3.15 am.

 

There was a car crash outside Wisma MCA which caused us some delay then followed by a road block conducted by Rela (for some undisclosed reason) at Auto Bavaria Jalan Tun Razak. 

When we got to PCMC, we couldn't find a park at the ER bays so The Other Half deposited me at the ER entrance while he went to park the 4WD, to save me from waddling under the dark, hazy skies.

 

By the time he came back to ER lounge, I was already "processed" and on my wheelchair, ready to be sent to Level 6 Labour Room. At 3.30 am, my hospital check-in to labour ward 6G-04 was completed. The CTG was placed and my monitoring began. A vaginal exam showed 2 cm. Sigh. Long way to go.

 

I was then transferred to labour ward 6G-07 as it was going to be a slow going early labour. We both discussed and decided to be admitted instead of going home to wait it out (did not want to risk the morning peak hour or worse, evening grid lock!)

The nurse came in again at 4 am for a much dreaded vaginal exam which showed only 2 cm. The Other Half and I communicated our decision to be admitted. The nurse verbally told me that Dr. Seri had been informed since my "check-in" and her plan was to induce me at 6.30 am, to which I agreed.

At 4.25 am, there were more dislodging and discharge of mucous plug but no sign of water breaking. I remember trying to relax by reading what I could on iQuran.

At 6.30 am, one shot of enema was given and although I was told to wait, I just could not. What came after was the second most painful  poo ever! I guess I grunted for so long and so loudly The Other Half must have been a bit concerned.

Relief came at 7.50 am when Dr. Seri came for her round. Vaginal exam showed 4 cm, show finally appeared and I was encouraged to eat some breakfast (yums!).

 

The birth plan was epidural and induce although by then I was a bit fuzzy-headed from all my negative chatter from inside my head and asked Dr. Seri if we should just go for C-sec and be done with it.

 

Thankfully, Dr. Seri stood firm on our agreed birth plan. She told me about my favourable cervix, body designed by Allah to birth naturally and that I do not need a C-sec. All I had to do was eat, pray, sleep and birth Bean. Sounds easy peasy, in retrospective. Dr. Seri reminded me of the recovery plan after birth and how I should look forward to all my urut sessions ahead. She is very good at mind games, and I needed it!

So, after a very delicious breakfast, I was transferred back to labour room 6G-04 where it had all started about 7 hours prior. At 10 am, I got my epidural by Dr. Syed Rozaidi. Love, love, love how detailed he was with explaining what I was going to expect next at every step of the way. 

What I could hear, I could imagine. What I could imagined, I did not fear. The Other Half did a very good job supporting me and holding the pillow for me.

 

The shaking, warm legs soon followed and I knew walking was over for until after Bean was born. I ate dates, drank water, peed into the catheter, life was good! Wifi and iPhone, Facebooking and iQuran kept me busy. I updated my notes as the labour progressed.

By 10.30 am, I was induced. Bean was asleep, and so was I! Not much "improvement".

At 11.30 am, Dr. Seri had ordered for increase of induction (Prostin - a form of oxytocin). I felt more contractions and could not really sleep anymore.

Ten minutes later at 11.40 am, my water bag burst and the bear down feeling came hard and strong. Bean was pushing himself out without any pushing from me! I updated the nurse and asked for Dr. Seri to be there pronto!

 

The nurse confirmed that Dr. Seri was on her way back to the hospital (she got every Wednesday morning off and it was her son's birthday that day - how special!)

The sweetest, good natured lady beamed into the labour ward at 12.20 pm with a team of midwives and we started "pushing".

 

I was not executing it as well as I had imagined it in my head and Dr. Seri joked that I had a "tayar pancit" situation. She told me to get a drink, air zam zam if I had brought some along, and to reconfigure my mind to order the right muscles. No joke.

The epidural was so good - no pain but all pressure could be felt. I could feel Bean's journey outwards! I knew when and how to "do a big poo" after that reconfigure/recompose break. Praying always works!

 

The great joy was the laugh sound/word "ha". There was no "push" word used, much to my delight.

We laughed ha, ha, ha all the way until Bean was safely delivered at 12.39 pm. We did, we laughed him all the way out. No mistake about that.

The first words he heard outside the womb were "ha, ha, ha, how truly handsome your son is". What better way to celebrate someone's birthday than this? All joy, happiness and love!

On the business side of things: Throughout the birthing, Dr. Seri massaged my perineum area to lessen the tearing. She then stitched me up neatly. 

She looked like she was enjoying her sewing session instead of stitching up a patient (the scene of someone enjoying an embroidery session with cuppa tea comes to mind). The whole time, we made small talk.

As I was being put together again, The Other Half was coaxed into cutting the cord (he had never held scissors that huge before!) and Bean was taken to be "processed" next to us. APGAR scores were good, and he was warmed up, cleaned, swaddled and handed to The Other Half for Azan and a fatherly cuddle.

At 1 pm, Bean was placed to my right breast for some milk. He nursed and nursed so naturally. After a good feed of colostrum, he was off to the nursery for his vaccinations and session with Dr. Anthony James Mansul. 

(The yellow boots reminded me of Phuah Chu Kang)

I bet Bean had the loveliest time there was he looked so happy when he was returned to me at Ward 6C-09 later in the afternoon.

Not long after that, The Little Girl came with The Grandparents and she kissed her little brother. From that moment, I saw her blossom from my first baby into an elder sister. 

Tears welled in my eyes as my pregnancy had served like a cocoon period for The Little Girl to hibernate into a butterfly of a sister. Hormones!

 

The rest of the story, is as you already know.

 

We became a family of four on 19 June 2013.

 

Bean shares the same birthday as my BFF, and Dr. Seri's son. How special, indeed.

 

Alhamdulillah! JazakAllah! Shukran!

 

Dear Dr. Seri, 

Thank you so much for your lovely heart-felt care that feels more like friendship than a doctor-patient relationship, passion in practice and total devotion to patient wellness. May Allah s.w.t. bless you and your family abundantly.

 

Dear Dr. Syed Rozaidi Wafa bin Syed Hussain Wafa,

You are so good at what you do, and we are so blessed to have a good doctor like you. Thank you for making my birthing experience an enjoyable one. May Allah s.w.t. bless you and your family abundantly too.

 

Dear Dr. Anthony James Mansul,

Thank you for accepting Bean into your already packed and slightly crowded practice - just goes to show that you have such a big capacity to care and love the little ones. The bit you called my son a "rascal" from birth, I'd take as a term of endearment you have for all your little patients. Thank you, you will be seeing us! May God bless you and your family abundantly too.  

The Labour Story

I am finding it difficult failing at finding time to sit down and recount the labour and birth story so piecemeal entries of this wonderful story is ever going to get told...

 

Chances are you may stumbled upon this entry if you are looking for Dr. Seri Suniza Sufian or Dr. Anthony James Mansul reviews. Let me just say they are both AWESOME.

 

If you are here because you want to know if Prince Court Medical Centre is any good, let me attest that my own experience there has been EXCELLENT and, so far, continues to be.

So here is my attempt at recounting my second birthing experience...

18 June 2013

At dinner preparation time, my MIL did most of the work and cooked while II sat down with The Little Girl and her new Duplo set of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates". 

Contractions came and went, interval not regular. Cramp. Like period cramp.

I do not recall what we had for dinner because my appetite was absent. My MIL felt the baby was coming soon as I was less helpful in the kitchen this time.

 

Told MIL The Wish: Not to share my bestie's birthday on 19 June. 

Right?

Wrong! 

<to be continued>

 

 

6 Week Check Up

Dismayed to see my weak pelvic muscles doing Kegel exercises (yes, I saw it on the display screen during ultrasound scan). No bladder leaks so far, but, oh, so much work ahead! Now focus, and Kegel those muscles correctly.

My uterus has shrunk to its original size (about 10 cm), and man, was I emotional over how empty it looks without a growing fetus inside!

Next up: The wait for pap smear in the second half of the first menstruation cycle. Turns out that I do not have to wait that long as it returned at the end of Ramadhan. From nifas to menstruation, no break this time...

Second Pregnancy: Week 39

The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion by Robin Elise Weiss states that, "Baby is settled into your pelvis and preparing for birth. Not every baby us perfectly ready at the 37 week mark, which is why there is a range given for due dates. The last to mature on babies is their lungs. In other news, your baby's weight gain has slowed considerably. Some babies will gain a few ounces here or there but the weight gain has pretty much stopped. On average, babies, babies weigh seven and a half pounds (3.4 kg) by this point and measures twenty inches (52 cm) long."

 

We had 24 June 2013 marked on our calendars as the estimated due date, and a weekly check up was scheduled for 19 June 2013 (Wednesday) at 2.45 pm.

 

As excited as we were to see what Bean was up to, we did not make it to the intended appointment.

 

For an extremely good reason, masyaAllah!

 

Hint: Birth story coming up next!

Second Pregnancy: Week 36

After the previous false alarm, we made it to Week 36, syukur alhamdulillah!. This is a big feat for me as The Little Girl arrived on Week 36.

Throughout this pregnancy, we have been praying that Bean stays in there at least until Week 38.

Evidently, and so importantly that Bean does stay put for at least two more weeks. Just look at how tiny Bean is, especially when it comes to head circumference size:

Measurements taken by Dr. Seri Suniza Sufian on 29.05.2013:

BPD: 8.75 cm (was 8.09 cm)

Head Circumference: 30.07 cm (was 28.43 cm)

Abdominal Circumference: 31.73 cm (was 28.30 cm)

Femur Length: 6.98 cm (was 6.71 cm)

Estimated Fetal Weight: 2.67 kg (was 2.1 kg)

I guess I have two new supplications to make.

Firstly, Bean to catch up on growth in the next two weeks until we see Dr. Seri again. She will be issuing the pre-admission letter only then, as over preparation may encourage Bean to think it is time *hehe, gotta love Dr. Seri*

The kind doctor did confirm that in the event Bean makes a grand exit before the next appointment, all we need to do is exactly as per what we have done during the false alarm.

1. Call the hospital, let them know that I am coming over.
2. Head towards E.R. and tell the staff that I am in labour.
3. Ask for wheelchair and be taken to the labour ward.
4. Get on with business while the midwife calls Dr. Seri.

Secondly, Bean is in occiput posterior position. Hope Bean turns to occiput anterior or else I will be in for so many variables which may include back labour and higher risk of c-sec. I guess I will try going on my hands and knees for 10 minutes daily for now to try turning Bean.

When we saw the ultrasound scan, my heart swelled a little more with love and affection. Bean was taking a gulp/yawning then rubbed both eyes with both fists before settling down for a bit. I presume it was a nap.

The Little Girl was as sweet as ever to Dr. Seri. Instead of giving a running commentary like she did last time, she occupied herself with the step ladder and blankets when the ultrasound was being conducted. The Other Half was too busy making sure The Little Girl was not disturbing the kind doctor that he missed most of the session.

Dr. Seri also hosted an intern this time. She, the intern, must have overheard one of the most robust discussions on, inter alia:

- dermatology of pregnancy (I look like I have a watermelon plastered onto my belly now)

- pain management (yes, epidural at 3 to 4 cm dilation pretty please. I want to enjoy birthing suffer less back labour, even if some say epidural hinders turning at the very last moment)

- allergy management (let's just stick to KY Jelly instead of Hexidin Cream)

- vaginal exams and how uncomfortable they can be if not done properly (choice, or the lack thereof when it comes to midwives on duty roster)

- external perineum massage using virgin coconut oil (Tanamera set)

- drinking virgin coconut oil to prime the body for labour (Tanamera set)

- breastfeeding support network (some cyber bullies out there, watch out!)

- breastfeeding flash mobs in support of nursing in public (I have nursing cover and seek out nursing rooms most of the time. More on this later)

- gentle birthing group (I am not really into an all natural home birth/water birth)

- home care for The Little Girl while I go into labour (The Grandparents, of course!)

Oh dear, I think I may have chat too much into the appointment time. I hope the intern didn't get the impression that all pregnant hormonal ladies give that much feedback...

In sha Allah, two more weeks, Bean!

Dry Skin

I cannot live without these 4 products at the moment:

1. Earth Mama Angel Baby - Natural Stretch Oil
Started using this product the minute I found out that I am pregnant this second time round. Somehow it doesn't reduce the dryness of my skin because occasionally I felt the "stretch itch".

I also suffered from some mild eczema in the first trimester so I had to constantly rub the oil in. Best to rub in after a shower. Put clothes on only after the oil has been absorbed. I still use this occasionally to finish whatever is left in the spray bottle.

2. L'Occitane - Firming and Smoothing Supple Skin Oil with Almond Oil
I could not tolerate the sweet smell during my first trimester. At week 16 when the nausea and vomiting eased, I purchased a bottle of this lovely, rich almond oil right away.

Oh, how I love this!

Absorbs quickly into skin right after shower, does not leave any sticky or oily residue. I have been spoiling myself silly, a very tiny form of indulgence twice daily.

3. L'Occitane - Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil
A small amount goes a long way in lathering up a rich foam that leaves my skin squeaky clean but moisturised and soft. Works like wonder to ease up mild eczema for both The Little Girl and I.

4. Tanamera Cold Press Virgin Coconut Oil - Richer than almond oil for the final trimester all out stretch and perineum massage. Be sure to let all oil absorb into skin before putting clothes on.

What about you? Do share your dry skin combat tips!

Retrospective Wisdom: Week 35

"Baby is hanging in there, doing his or her part for the big birth day coming up. This consists principally of growing, developing and preparing to breathe and regulate body temperature. Your baby is now about 2.25 kg, though at this stage of the game there is more room for variance and where diet and genetics play a significant part. Your baby is approaching 46 cm from head to toe.

Babies born at this gestational age often do well with special care nurseries, but it is still considered early. Babies who are born early often have respiratory illnesses and breathing difficulties, which can lead to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Deaths Syndrome and lifelong issues such as asthma and learning disabilities (although the greatest risk is during the first year of life)." - excerpt from The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion by Robin Elise Weiss with Dr. Marcello Pietrantoni.

Shall we all just agree that this is the nesting week? We had the baby's space set up at The House by last week and this week the focus was at The Apartment. The master bedroom floorboards were installed to replace a decade old carpet. Cot and changing table are being set up, contents of wardrobe reorganised to include some space for Jr. We are even ordering new sheer curtains in the hope that the filtered light will help Jr differentiate day and night sleeping times.

I felt so much tick tock going on that I went into a nursing top and nursing bra shopping frenzy. I was measured for size, tested every single item I fancied, checked for practicality of use, not very red carpet worthy fashion review and poorer by a thousand later, Z and I carted all the items home for wash and dry. Neatly folded away and ready to use. Now we pray for milk! So adamant are we at breast feeding that we are refusing to buy spare bottles and formula to avoid giving up before we even start! We do have the breastpump!

A quick check-up by Dr Haris Hamzah (no scan this time so no statistics to post) confirmed that Jr.'s head is engaged. That pretty much explained all my symptoms and continuing agony since last week. When he proclaimed that "Any time now is possible, baby is ready to be born", Z and I froze for a moment. Term!

Hospital bag for me - checked.

Hospital bag for Jr. - checked.

Hospital bag for Z - er...

Hospital route from The House - checked.

Hospital route from The Apartment - er, depends on time of day. Being in the 50450/50088 postcode area can only mean a highly unpredictable traffic flow (read: mostly congested)

Birth plan and confinement plans - need to be drawn up! Still trying to decide on epidural and the gentle cut aka episiotomy or not. Confinement lady is out of the question as MIL has decided to cook on the condition that we serve 44 days of imprisonment at The House.

Sheer curtains - decide by next week after seeing the quotation.

Other 1001 things that probably do not matter but does to me due to nesting instinct - ARGH!

 

**Retrospective Wisdom: When the nesting instincts hit, just go with it, and ignore the naysayers about the EDD being "far away". Moral of this account/Fact: The Little Girl arrived 3 weeks early. If I had not listened to MY motherly instinct, I would have been completely unprepared.**

Retrospective Wisdom: Birth Story

"There is nothing for me to write about Week 38 as S H binti Z was born in Week 37 of gestation. The following will account for her journey into this world. As I am currently busy taking care of her, please be patient with my updates to this entry.

29 March 2010

1.40 am: I felt the champagne bottle cork pop below followed by a warm flow of liquid/water. How do I specifically remember the time? Simple. I was feeling a tad uncomfortable after my usual night pee break at 1.25 am. I was just staring at the clock wondering when I would eventually fall asleep when it happened!

Excitedly, I called out to Z next to me who was fast asleep as he was going to the office that Monday morning.

"Z! I think my water just broke. Turn on the lights, let's check!!"

Groggily, Z rubbed his eyes and went to turn on the light switch.

On the waterproof liner was a small puddle. Hurriedly, I went to check my panty liner and it was soaking pink! Adrenaline set in and we both changed into our "what to wear to hospital when the baby is arriving" clothes, grabbed the 2 hospital bags and went to knock impatiently on Z's parents' door.

Mama answered the door. Sleepily, she asked, "What is it?" Z and I gleefully replied "We're going to the hospital. H's waterbag broke!" By now, we were joined by Dada who maintained his calm and poise. He said, "H, ring the hospital first to let them know that you are coming. Check which entrance is to be used since it is so early."

I rang the hospital while Z loaded the 2 hospital bags into the car. Hugs and kisses from Mama and best wishes from Dada followed and we were off to Sime Darby Subang Medical Centre.

During the car ride on our way there, I thought her MyKid card would look so cute if she were to arrive on 30032010 instead of 29032010 - it was really silly thoughts like this one that took my attention off the painful contractions! The contractions were strong. I was so sure this time it is not Braxton-Hicks or a case of leaking water bag. In fact, I could feel my new pad soaked through during the short journey.

Once we arrived at the hospital entrance, I was placed on the wheelchair and sent to the Labour Ward. Luckily for me, it is not an unfamiliar place as we were already given an induction visit during one of the pre-natal classes. By the time Z parked the car and came to join me in my Labour Suite, my contractions were already 2cm.

Enema was administered by 2.40 a.m. It worked within a couple of minutes! I was really lucky to have Z physically support me because I felt like I was going to pass out from the discomfort and pressure that were added with strong and fast contractions. When I went back to bed and strapped to the monitor, my contractions measured 40+ at every 2 minutes with fetal heartbeat around 135 per minute. I was dilated to 5cm by then! Even the midwife was surprised with my fast progress and quickly rang Dr. Haris.

At 3.40 am, my epidural was completed and I had the dosage increased within 10 minutes to lessen the lower back pains. After years of watching Hollywood movies birth scenes and hearing birthing experiences from friends, I was taken aback by my own cool and calm - and sudden dislike of being touched/held! When in between contractions, I was either talking to Z or praying. During contractions, Z coached me our breathing exercises. Time seem to have passed so quickly from 3.40 a.m. to 5.40 a.m. because by Subuh prayers, I was 8 cm dilated and Dr. Haris had arrived.

Preparations for active labour were made within minutes and the midwife told me at 9 cm that we were going to try to push soon. Z was back from Subuh prayers and the time was 6.10 a.m. when we were gathered for the start of constant pushing.

There was Dr. Haris who checked if I could feel the pressure of episiotomy. I felt some pressure and the cold but not the pain, thank God! I asked to be placed more upright for easy birthing. Some inducer to hasten the contractions were administed and we were joined by a noisy nurse who kept yelling "Angry push". Really, I felt like slapping her face as I am all for gentle birthing and birthing my baby into the world but instead I just focussed on Allah.

Z sat on a small stool behind Dr. Haris and saw the entire process. He too, was very calm and did not pass out from fear as there was very little blood. No, we did not video record the birth.

At 6.25 am, Dr Haris announced "Baby's out!" and I rasked, "Really? She's here?" because it felt so easy with the vacuum assisted birth! Dr. Haris affirmed in this usual cool but positive tone, "Yup!"

The umbilical cord was cut, and I met Sofia face to face for the very first time. I was so smitten that I did not really bother with the placenta and stitching *pure love for my daughter*.

My only thought was "Alhamdulillah!"

**Retrospective Wisdom: No regrets!**