Here comes the baby...

Well, the baby arrived earlier than we expected -- 16 February 2007 instead of 25 February 2007. I had a surprisingly smooth labour experience, considering the fact that I'm 33 years old (oops! spilled the beans... :P) and it's my 1st baby.

Note: The following serves more of a personal recount of events related to childbirth so do skip this post if you're uncomfortable with this info...

The "show" turned up when I had an unexpected bowel movement at 3am! For a moment there I was confused as my obstetrician was so positive just 15 hours ago that I wouldn't be in labour in the next 48 hours. Anyway, the contractions started right after that but they're irregular. Thus, I went back to sleep and didn't get to the hospital until around 7 am.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was admitted to the labour room straight away. There I was, strapped onto the bed and inspecting the ceilings for possible cracks. :) My contractions were not very intense but the dilation took place anyway. By around 9 am, my obstetrician instructed for the drip to be given. Now the contractions turned more intense, longer and with shorter intervals. @#$%^&*! I know, it's to speed things up but it hurt so much that I could tear off the rail no doubt about it. My DH was there all the time and I appreciated every bit of it. (You're so brave and supportive. Love ya!)

I started to push at around 11 am but no progress. Later at around 11:30 am when the obstetrician arrived he found out that the baby's presentation was a little off. Thus, he turned the baby's head to have it properly aligned. He joked that the baby was rather resistant towards that change of orientation though. Well, the pushing became easier now and I could sense the baby moving down the birth canal. By then I started to feel dizzy and blacking out because I didn't have my breakfast that morning! So I was given the glucose solution to boost my energy. Well, the lesson here is NEVER skip your breakfast, no matter what! ;)

After pushing for about 1/2 hour or more, the baby was still struggling to come out. The "crowning" took place many times but she just wasn't quite out yet... That's when my obstetrician suggested the forceps should the baby's not out by 12:30 pm. Ok, I gotta admit that I freaked out on hearing the word "forceps" and couldn't bear the thought of those going into my body! It did work as the best "motivator" though, I pushed as hard as I could and there she was, my lovely baby gal, literary popped out of my body at 12:18pm. She was so pale, wrinkled, pink and small... She didn't cry much and I was so overwhelmed when she was left on my chest for that brief moment of skin-to-skin contact. Wow! our little princess... that was truly love at first sight.

When I was trolleyed to the ward, I was so exhausted and ached all over. It felt like I was hit by a truck... Nonetheless, I've never been so content in my whole life. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, my DH and thank you, my princess Eva!