Weblog of Blogging Mum

My water bag broke in the morning of 10th August, 6.45am. Huat and myself calmly prepare to go to the hospital. Even though we were not panicky, I was very nervous and unsure what was going to happen. I wasn't even sure if this is REALLY IT or not. We may get send back home...

Huat drove to the admission point of Mount Elizabeth Hospital and we walked ourselves up to the Delivery Suite. I was then asked to change into the hospital gown and prepare to lie on the delivery bed. I was quickly strapped on with the CTG equipment where baby's heartbeat was monitored.

I still didn't feel any pain nor any contraction, with the exception of feeling liquid leaking out of me. I kept thinking I must be feeling some kind of pain soon...? Anyway, they kept a watch on me and reported to my gynae. I was soon put on the epidural on Dr Ann Tan's instruction. Thinking this might be a bit too soon since I still haven't felt anything. Maybe she's a bit Kiasu and didn't want me to suffer too much pain.

Soon after Dr Catherine Yap came and put a tube to my back. It hurt a little, in the meantime, Huat went downstairs to transfer the car as we were parked in the Dr's area of the hospital. Dr Yap was really good throughout, with the help of the nurse, they both managed to distract me from the commotion of inserting the epidural tube to describing about some sweet rambutans in JB.

There wasn't anything we could do except waiting... in the meantime, the epidural was kicking in. I started shivering, was told this is the effect of the epidural. It was either that or I was really getting the jitters. The shivering was totally uncontrollable. I asked Huat to pray for me and he did. He soothed me by giving me massages as well as wiping my face with a warm cloth. He's been so sweet throughout my pregnancy and I can't ask for any better husband than this. I'm really glad he's with me all the way through the birth.

After some 10 hours, I dilated only by 5cm and the baby's head still wasn't fully engaged. It was still quite far up. Dr Ann Tan decided it was time to go for emergency C- Sect. Very swiftly, I was wheeled into the operating theatre preparing for the C-Sect. The epidural had to be upped for me to go through the whole process, fully awake. I had never thought I would be brave enough for this but at that moment, all I wanted is for baby to be born well and healthy.

I'm glad I was awake in the process because I got to hear my baby's first cry and hold her in my arms.

The whole process of birth is so awesome. In fact, I think it didn't quite hit me till after the epidural ware off and started to appreciate everything. I played that scene over and over again in the eyes of my mind and marvel at the miracle of the birth of my Jana.

 

Seems to me that pregnant women loves crab. Heard from mum that most pregnant women have this particular craving. Maybe, it's just Singaporean mums. Anyway, I don't have any cravings of any kind during this pregnancy.

But I DID enjoyed the dinner treat by Sam and Serene on Saturday night. We went to Long Beach for seafood dinner and sat at TABLE NO 7 on 23/7. As it had rained earlier in the day, the weather turned out to be so pleasant even though we were seated in a semi-open air area.

Sam had come by to recci earlier on and had taken extra care to choose the table. We all appreciated the great host and his special touch! The best part of the dinner was of course the CHILLI CRAB. It was so YUMMY, even baby seems to agree with me as she pranced about in my tummy.

I had wanted to name her Gianna but DH felt that it sounded too much like "GEEnah" in dialect. So he suggested calling her Jana.

Must say that I like Jana better after hearing it a couple of times. I remember reading somewhere that it also have a very good meaning. I checked and found that it had Czech, Arab, Hebrew origins.

JANA: God's Gracious Gift
It's a good name. I wanted a name that reflects the sentiments of her birth. After loosing my first through a miscarriage, I know God will grant me another gift soon. Many cell members and friends prayed for us. I wanted this name to bear testimony and give glory to our Gracious Lord.

In Chinese, we will have her named: Wang Jie En
Which would have the implication of grace. In fact, Pure Grace, which is only something God can give.

 

The sessions taught us about all we need to know before we go on to labour and delivery.

We had a young lady teaching us. I was wondering if she's even married. But nevertheless, she taught us what we need to know. From postural exercise, breathing to how to get out of bed in our "heavy" conditions.

We also had breastfeeding session but that was done by another lady. She's an older lady who's more "touchy, feely". No, she wasn't touching us, but whenever she spoke about breast, she carrassed her own breast. Most of us who were there had already decided that we wanted to breastfeed. I guess, it's one of those trendy thing; these days the trend is to breastfeed. But from what I heard it isn't easy and can be very frustrating.

Though DH didn't join me for some of my earlier sessions, he made a point to come for all the later, more important sessions. So, he should be well prepared to be my Birth Coach! He's learn about methods of breathing, floor exercises, how to massage wife, etc.

We also did the labour ward and delivery suite tour and in the last session we watched a video on childbirth. I was a bit squemish at first but thought that the video was quite well done and it did prepare me mentally on what is coming my way.

I think the sessions helped me know what to expect. Many people said that all you learnt will go down the drain when you go into labour. I don't know and can't say whether it will be in my case but the classes sure put my mind at ease. I'm less fearful and perhaps even marvel more at the miracle of birth.

Mood: Light-hearted
Listening to: Ancient of Days

On 1st March, we got to know the sex of Baby. We gonna have a girl!...we gonna have a girl! When the gynae told DH of that he was kind of in a daze. He had a funny expression on his face that led to the gynae thinking that he wasn't ok with it. But the fact is DH had an intuition that it is going to be a boy. But I know he would like a daughter! Who wouldn't!

The weeks of bleeding, bed rest and the twice a week injection (2 big jabs!) will be well worth it when I hold baby in hand. I can't wait. I look forward to be a mum.

On Sunday night I felt the first funny feeling in my stomach. It's like a fluttering. It happened about twice. Then last night, I felt it again. This time is more like a tap, tap.... Gynae told me it's about now that I will feel the movement of the baby. My colleague, Ros also told me that baby is most likely to move around the night or even after a meal. She said they like the "rocking" movement and if you stop moving, the rocking stops and they won't be too pleased and will protest.

Work will soon come to a halt at TP. I'm looking forward to some rest but at the same time I'm fearful of what the future will bring. But I suppose, the most important thing to do now is to take good care of myself and concentrate on pregnancy preparation.

But all in all, I'm truly thankful to God, for giving us this wonderful gift of Baby. His Grace and Love is really amazing. If it's a girl, I think I would like for her to have a really meaningful name that reminds us of the fact that her creation is indeed miraculous and without GOD'S GRACE it would never happen.

The name I have in mind- GIANA, meaning: God's Grace. In Chinese, it would be "WANG EN" En, means Grace in Chinese. When I brainstormed with DH, he quite like this name and said we will have it "shortlisted".