3-Aug-2019

9am - first spotting, showered and bought coconut drink on the way to hospital

10am - regular check up at hospital, informed Dr Paul about the spotting during the check up and told to head to another block for tracing, very early stage of contraction exists but not felt entirely, vaginal opening was also measured but only at 1cm, allowed to head back home freely

2pm - had late lunch in Red Kettle with hubby in Starling Mall, bought play mat from baby fair in Starling Mall

4pm - napped till 7pm while hubby cleaned the house

7.30pm - had dinner in Wai Kee restaurant but no appetite

10pm - settled at home

4-Aug-2019

1am - slept after Netflix

4am - woke up from contraction, 5 to 10mins interval

5.30am - messaged mum and she immediately advised to head straight to hospital

5.45am - shower

6.30am - left house

6.45am - arrived at hospital

7am - measurement of fetal heartbeat and contraction pain commenced

8am - 1cm dilation (1st vagina examination of the day), admitted to delivery suite,  informed by midwife on the 3 alternatives to ease pain (ie epidural, pain killer injection and laughing gas) which will also cause drowsiness

9.30am - accompanied hubby for breakfast in SubWay and stroll around hospital with hubby to quicken the labour process as advised by midwife and we both ended up falling asleep near the fountain but with pain being felt, from lower tummy to upper thigh

12pm - visit from Dr Paul, being informed again on the pain relief alternatives as there is no need for going through the pain unnecessarily, also mentioned that baby might arrive today or the day after, I stood firm by my decision not to take any of the pain relief alternatives

12.15pm - mum came after her dharma class, being informed that I will get to see baby today (source: DMNN), mum went to DMNN early in the morning

12.45pm - fil/mil came and headed to Starbucks for drinks, I had orange juice from MBG instead

2.30pm - mum came and brought MX noodle, she left shortly and went for chanting in temple, before she left, she advised if the pain is untolerable, opt for cesarean instead

2.45pm - decided to head back to delivery suite as the pain is getting intolerable

3pm - randomly selected a Chinese movie from Netflix but ended up falling asleep and yet feeling the pain

5pm - 3cm dilation (2nd VE), after measurement of contraction pain at 4pm, told by midwife that it's the best time to administer any pain relief, I stood firm by my decision again

6.30pm - nurse brought the birthing stool for relaxation, turned out not effective

7pm - visit from Dr Paul followed by mum and fil/mil, asked Dr Paul if the Pethidine injection works (the only alternative that I've considered due to it's cost and most importantly, the side effect down the road), I could barely concentrate on the things dr said but I concluded that it may not completely effective judging from the choice of words used by dr, I told him I would reconsider again

7.05pm - told hubby that I might settle for the Pethidine injection in order to sleep through the night in case I don't deliver by that night, I felt it's almost impossible to go through the pain for another night, we both felt that 11pm might be the best time for the injection considering that it can only lasts about 4 to 6 hours

8pm - hubby left from hospital to shower & change and bring my pillow for comfort, leaving mum and mil in the delivery suite with me, they both chatted while i silently in deep pain

8.30pm - both mum and mil went to chat in the guest room located outside the delivery suite as fil is not allowed to enter the delivery suite, midwife came and checked my condition, she noticed that baby is in a lower position based on the location of the heartbeat and coupled with me telling her that I felt nausea, she said the time might come soon

8.45pm - mum came in alone to check me again, she stood near my bed as she was afraid I might fall off from the bed as I was holding firmly to the side of the bed whenever the pain attacks

9pm - asked mum to call nurse in as i can no longer tolerate the pain, nurse came in but didn't offer any solution, hence I didn't state my decision to take the pain killer

9.30pm - hubby back to hospital, informed him on what nurse mentioned earlier on the baby's heartbeat and that I feeling nausea

9.45pm - told hubby that I decided for painkiller injection due to almost non stop contraction pain, and so he went to inform the nurse in order to proceed (VE and inform doctor)

10.05pm - 5cm dilation (3rd VE) and hence, the painkiller injection can still be administered, changed into hospital gown (although own gown is allowed during the delivery) as being told that I would get drowsy  and can no longer get off the bed after the injection, brushed my teeth too despite the pain

10.15pm - Pethidine injection, turned out not effective except feeling drowsy, nurse informed casually that there is a likelihood that labour might be sooner with the injection

10.30pm - water broke, 9cm dilation (last VE), all gears (ie handle, pedal etc being set up) were quickly set up for the birthing bed, had my eyes closed all the time thinking that it might help with the pain at least, the midwife continuously exert pressure on my backside to release the water from vagina, felt the need to push but was told by midwife not to as it's not time yet, Dr Paul came and judging from my condition, he said it might take another 15 to 20 minutes to deliver the baby

10.45pm - while holding firmly to the handles with legs at the pedal, I was told to push whenever the contractions starts but not to shout while pushing as it will drain me out quickly

11pm - there was a total of 4 pushes and the next thing I know, I felt baby was completely out and she was placed right on me, I only managed to open my eyes and caught the moment when Dr received my baby

11.05pm - as baby was laying on top of me, I felt so relieved, hubby cut the umbilical cord and I could barely feel the pain when Dr was performing the stitching

11.15pm - baby sent for weighing

11.30pm - hubby called my mum and his parents

11.45pm - was forced to pee but failed, hence the nurse inserted a tube to draw the urine out, feeling a little pain but nothing beats the contraction

5-Aug-2019

12.00am - established first breastfeeding despite feeling drowsy

12.15 to 12.30 - texted family and colleague

1am - paeditrician came to inform that baby was OK except developing heat rash which is normal for newborn

1.30am - transferred to ward, baby sent to nursery ursery to allow mummy to rest after the long battle

2am - hubby left after arranging stuff for mummy in the ward

4am - nurse came with baby for nursing, to which I woke up with a smile, returned the baby to nursery after nursing, nurse also changed my clothes, washed my wound and assisted me to pee

6.30am - texted friends on the newborn baby

7.30am - mum came and followed by baby, had a warm chat

9am - Dr Paul came to check mummy's conditions

10am - hubby came after settling the baby cot

11am - lactation consultant came

12pm - Dr Eric came and informed baby is doing fine

1pm - mil/fil came to visit grand honey

8pm - mil/fil came, followed by relatives and finally my dad, mum and bro

6-Aug-2019

9am - Dr Paul came, he got to know I had problem with lactation, and suggested I stay for another night to which I was reluctant

10am - both mum and hubby came

7-Aug-2019

9am - Dr Paul came and agreed to give clearance for my discharge

11.30am - Dr Eric came and agreed to give clearance for baby's discharge

3pm - Finally discharged from hospital

Baby waking up every 3 hours throughout the night, both hubby and I had sleepless night