Labor Stories

After reading many mums’ labor stories, I am so tempted to write mine too. Please bear with my broken english, OK?

Being a first time mother, I was totally blurred on labor. I had forbidden Loong (my husband) from going outstation within 2 weeks of my EDD. My EDD was on 6th September 2005. Loong supposed to go Bali for a meeting on 31st August 2005; anyway I disallowed him to go. Although my parents were here with me that time, but I still refuse to let him go! It’s different. Luckily he was willing to stay and his boss also kind enough to let him off

I thought my labor will be late because during my last check up (one week before my EDD), I was not dilated yet! Not even half a cm. This first time “dilated or not check” experience was horrible for me. I didn’t know that the ob-gynae actually needed to squeeze his fingers in to check for it. I thought only look-see-look-see “that part” will know dilated or not! Aiyee… Why no one tell me this? It was painful and I bleed after the check! Aiyooo…

My parents were here to attend my brother’s convocation so I went travel and walked a lot during that few days. May be the walking part did wonder on dilation, 3 days after my parents went back to Sarawak, on my last day of workin day, spotting started. It  was on 2nd September 2005, Friday. That morning after I reached my office, I started to feel not so comfortable. It was like period pain and I was like want to go toilet all the time. Went to toilet and found spotting on my panties. No contraction, no pain. Told my colleague and husband to be in stand-by mode, who knows I might pop any time. I refuse to go to hospital to get an MC or for a check-up. This was my last day already; I prefer to stay in office than at home or hospital. If I went home to rest I will be alone, not safe also. I think I did a right decision, nothing happen and I stayed until end of the day. Went back home ON time. Loong came to my office’s front door to fetch me (normally I have to walk to a near by KTM station because my office is located at a super-busy road side, always jammmmm), I was like queen of the day! Nyiek..

Mild contraction started at 7+pm. Many people commented that I was too brave to stay in office or home although spotting had started early in the morning. Anyway, I was confident that my baby won’t come out so early! Only spotting, expert said for first time mum delivery only will start 24 hours after the spotting, so I didn’t worry too much. Took a bath, wash my hair and went to bed early. Couldn’t sleep well as always experience contraction in between. The contraction became stronger as time passed by and the gap became shorter and shorter. At 3+am (3rd September 2005), I started to time my contraction and it was like 15 minutes apart. I think it was time for me to get ready to hospital so I woke Loong up. He was quick! In 10 minutes time we were in our car getting ready to go to hospital. Before we headed to hospital, we stopped by a café to buy some bread and “pau” just in case I got hungry during the waiting time.

The hospital only 10 minutes drive from our house. We went to the 3rd floor for registration. Half way of registration, some noise from outside distracts us. One woman was carried in by her husband and she was like in great pain already. This was her 3rd labor and nurse told me to wait because they have to handle that lady first. She will be fast, they told me. After they settled the lady, then only they came back to serve me. Nurse handed the hospital gown for me to change into and checked my dilation. I was only 3cm dilated. She then put some medicine to make me poo and then I was strapped to the machine to monitor the contraction and baby’s heartbeat, not comfortable at all!! By that time it was nearly 5am already. The woman who came during my registration was pushing hardly when I just went into my labor ward. Soon after a few push I heard baby crying already. Pretty fast huh. Gave birth within 1 hour after arrive in hospital. I hope mine will be fast too. I did not like the strap on my tummy and always asked for excuses to open the strap. With the strap on me, I had to be on bed all the time, of course I don’t want!

Doctor came to check on me around 7+am, still 3cm dilated. 9+am, 3.5 cm dilated. What??? So many hours only 0.5 cm dilated? He decided to induce me to make the dilation faster. I think roughly one hour after the drips, my contraction become stronger and much painful. I had to bend my body whenever the contraction started. Nurse came to ask whether I need pain-killer or not (the one inject at your butt one). I said OK. I tell you, that one no use at all. Then she asked me to use the gas (I think call entonox?) to breath whenever I felt the pain of contraction. I tell you, no use also. I started to feel dizzy and sleepy after the entonox! *Like this how to push?* After the drips, my dilation became very fast. After roughly 2 hours (cannot recall the timing already), I was fully dilated. Nurse told me she was going to break my water-bag. My thinking that time: Just go ahead! I was in great pain already, do what ever you think you should! She took some tools in, broke my water-bag, after that asked me to start pushing when contraction came. I was very tired and sleepy due to the entonox. After a few push, I told the nurse I was very tired and no energy already. She then brought in a glass of glucose for me to drink. After that asked me to push again. Tried a few time again and still can’t push my baby out. May be nurses saw my skinny body, pitty and tired face, they decided to call the doctor and go for vacuum. Doctor came in very soon and did some local anesthetic for the episiotomy. Then I was requested to push again and at the same time he helped by vacuum baby’s head out! Finally, after 2 tried I can feel baby slipping out from my body, a BIG relieve to me. My baby girl was born at 12:21pm on 3rd September 2005. They brought the baby for me to look-see. Stupid me, I asked why her leg got blood one!!! Hehehe… Nurse told me: we not yet bath her, baru keluar. That’s why!

I should say for first time mum, don’t worry about the labor pain. You will forget about the pain immediately after you see your baby and its true! I will definitely go for 2nd one if it is God’s will. Last but not least, I am glad that Loong was with me all the time. He witnessed the birth of our girl, at the same time became my secretary to report my status to my family and his family.

-THE END-

My 2^nd Baby, Princess Janelle  

Never cross my mind that I will deliver 2 weeks earlier than my EDD. 

Sunday August 13, 2006

At about 3.30am, i feel the urge to go washroom. After that have a drink then went back to sleep. But i sense something is not right as my backache is getting weird. These same routines happen every hour. 4.30am, 5.30am and then 7.30am. And my backache is getting WORST.  

At about 8.00am in the morning i just could not get myself lie down on bed. So i go for a walk around the living hall and sit down. It was ok for awhile. Then mum wake up and ask me why wake up so early since it is Sunday. So i tell her my condition. She says it might be contraction. But then it is still early. I am still 2 weeks ahead my due date. My due date is on the end of August. My condition is getting bad, and the pain continues every 15 minutes and last for about 9 seconds.  

Inform hubby about my condition. He assures me that this is a false alarm. I just could not stand the pain anymore. I called hubby again and tell him to come over and fetch me to hospital. I think is contraction. So hubby quickly get prepare and come over. Supposing today we all will go for our “family portraits” photo taking session. But then i think Princess Janelle want to join as well. When Evon go out to attend her friend’s convo, I tell her that we have to postpone the appointment coz her “niece” wants to join along. My contraction is getting from bad to worst. I can’t stand up or sit or even lie down. I have a quick shower and change. Jasmine is still soundly asleep.  

Hubby arrives at about 10.30am and sends me to Pantai Medical Centre. My Mum and Phoebe come along with me. My Dad helps to look after Jasmine. We reach at about 11.20am. I was send to delivery room, and the nurse asks me to change. Hubby assists me in changing my clothes as i can’t even stand on my own. Hubby goes down to register and drive back to office to take the camera charger. I am now being monitor by the nurse.  

They check on my condition and say now is already 4cm dilated. It is now 11.55am and yet hubby is still not back yet. I am getting worried, and the contraction is getting worst. Mum ask if i want the Epidural injection or not, as she saw i was crying and of coz i say YES. So mum asks the nurse to come. The nurse come in n check on me and now is already 6cm dilated. Since this is the 2nd child, very fast will deliver within 2 hours time. So in the meantime the nurse asks me to take the gas. The gas that make me drowsy. After taking the gas, i feel much better for awhile.  

I cried out loud when the gas just could not help. Hubby is back now, i know i can always trust him. Even the nurse also said that outside also can hear i cry.The pain continue and I can feel that my baby want to come out. But then the nurse asks me to sleep sideway and the backache is WORST. Even hubby also lost in mind as he saw me in such a great pain. My mum was with me all along and she is so worried. I push away the gas and I could not hold any longer as I can feel my baby is coming out. The nurse kept asking my hubby to give me the gas.  

Finally the doctor is in. And with 1 push my baby is out. At 1.19pm August 13, 2006 i have give birth to a healthy Princess Janelle. Janelle looks exactly like Jasmine.  

I am exhausted. Too tired to even open up my eye to look at my Janelle. Bad news is i break my blood nerve. I lost a lot of blood but luckily it stop after a while. Another bad news is my blood pressure is at 170, very high indeed. I could not be send off to the ward as i have to be monitor. So i stay in the delivery room. And about 6.30pm my pressure reading is at 132, and the nurse says I will be send to ward. Before I was send up to ward, I have my dinner. I could not eat much as I am very tired.  

The nurse allows Jasmine to come in to see me. She is so excited and i am so happy to see her. I miss her so much. My parents and sister have gone home. My daddy has been looking after Jasmine the whole day. I think after my mum dramatic story telling, i bet all will be very shock. And they are so worried about me as my blood pressure is still very high. Once settle down, we ask for Janelle from the nurse. Janelle really looks like her sister. I would give 100% rating hahaha. At about 9.00 hubby, Jasmine and my MIL go home.ZzzZzZzZzzz 

Here she is Princess Janelle  

Read about a few bloggers’ labour experiences, so I’d like to write mine too.Justin, when you’re old enough to read this, hopefully mummy still keep my pregnancy and giving birth dairy for you, remember to get from me ya?

My due date was on 24 December 2004, and I was hoping to deliver on that day even though I know it’s quite slim. On 16 Dec, when I was getting ready to go to work in the afternoon, and I noticed a show. So, I called hubby and he went and asked my ob-gynae if I need to go to hospital now. The doc said better admit first. After taking a heavy lunch (MIL said need strength to push!), hubby and I went to hospital.

Checked in at about 2pm, and only 1 cm dilation. The nurses asked me to stay at the beds in the labour room, but I didn’t feel any pain and asked for permission to walk around and do squatting exercise. Hubby went home to clean the room and made some arrangement.

I was quite bored, and went to my bed at the ward. I didn’t want to stay at the labour room as there’s another lady’s there giving birth. I don’t wanna hear any screams. So, asked hubby to bring me some magazines and I read until at night. Still no sign of contraction or pain. I asked the nurse if I could discharge first, but they didn’t permit and told me to wait for my doc.

Finally, my ob-gynae came to check on me at 10pm, and I was only 2cm dilated. He asked me to get a good night sleep at the ward and he’ll induce me in the morning. Hubby left to get some rest too. I tried to sleep, but I started to feel some pain at 11pm. Then the pain get intense, and by midnight, the contraction lasted longer and getting nearer. I paged for the nurses, but no one came. So, I got up and walked out from my ward. There wasn’t any nurses at the counter too, I tried to open the door of the labour room, but it’s locked. I had to stopped walking when I had the contraction, and was walking softly back to my bed. Called hubby that no nurse came to me, he said he’ll be right over.

Then I remembered from what I read that we need to go to the loo before birth, so I went to “do the big business”. After that, got back on bed. Then a nurse came and I told her I was having contraction.

They pushed me to the labour room, and hubby reached there too. The nurse gave me pethidine (spelling?) to ease the pain, and they allow hubby to stay. At about 3am, I found that my bed’s wet. Yep, my waters burst, and the pain was really ….Can’t find words to describe.

The nurse called anesthetist to give me epidural, and by 4.30am, the pain stopped. They asked hubby to go home first and said I’d only gave birth by 7am. So, he left again. But at about 5am, I was 6cm dilated, and 15 minutes later, the nurse felt Justin’s head. She quickly called my ob-gynae and hubby back, and everything started to get fast. Poor hubby, he only reached home and had to come to hospital again.

When they arrived, I was silvering like hell - after effect of having epidural. After a few pushes, Justin’s out, and I could finally hold him for the first time after 9 months! So, he’s born on 17 December 2005 at 5.42am.

Wah! The experience seems exciting, but what I wrote sounds boring. Really don’t know how to describe the feeling of giving birth and holding my baby in my arms. It’s…..too wonderful to be writen out.

JS’s EDD was 8/12/2002. One week before the EDD, I went for my routine check with my gynae. At that time I was already 1 1/2cm dilated. Gynae said I might go into labour any time, else I should visit him again a week later. My gynae was also suppose to be away for his annual holiday few days after my EDD. If my baby decided to come later, I would have to have another gynae (my gynae’s friend) to deliver my baby. Worried, because I really hope not to be attended by someone I’m unfamiliar to.

Being first time expecting and not knowing what to expect we took in our gynae’s words, we waited and waited for one week looking for sign of labour . But really there were no sign of labour, not even Braxton Hicks. I really thought that this pregnancy will never end. Worried if something might gone wrong…

Hubby and me had moved in to in-laws place 2 weeks before EDD, because I was suppose to have my confinement there and in-laws house is much much nearer to the hospital.

8/12/2002, still remembered it’s a Sunday, and it’s Raya (both my kids born during the Hari Raya period). Woke up at 4.30 am by some slight cramp on my lower back. Wasn’t sure if it’s a sign of labour. Anyhow, woke hubby up and we started to time the cramp. (Mum told me that from my grandma to aunts, all never experience bad tummy pain during labour like shown on TV, only back cramp, so I shall look for the sign) It’s not contraction, just light cramp that comes and goes. It was not even regular.

5.30am, the cramp became stronger and we started timing it again. Still no regular pattern but much more frequent. I told hubby we could wait before heading to the hospital because of what I’ve read from book that it might take some time for real labour to kick start. But hubby was worried. He said ” If you don’t care of your own safety, think of the baby” (first time father..extremely “kan cheong” Ok..he won, decided to just check into the hospital, so off I went to shower and wash my hair (imagine can’t wash hair for 1 month after that) and I had a “show” during shower, we then went downstair to have light breakfast before leaving the house. After breakfast, I was still trying to drag not to go to the hospital so early, so we went to lie on the bed again and we FELL ASLEEP. Didn’t wake up until 8.30am.

Hubby decided we should really head for the hospital, but before that, on the way, we went to the coffeeshop for noodle breakfast. I still got light cramp, but bearable. Then we noticed we left out something that we have not packed, so off we went to Giant Hypermarket at USJ to do last minute shopping. Cramp increased, but still able to walk and shop. Walking at the hypermarket with light cramp that comes and goes supporting my very big bump with my hands, I must have made a scene.

10am checked into the hospital. Nurse strapped me onto the fetal monitoring system. Contraction detected by the machine was mild and irregular. Baby’s heartbeat was like a galloping sound of the horse. Fast & Furious. Was strapped on for 1/2 hour. Only 2 1/2 cm dilated at that time. Enema was given at about 11am. Lunch provided, but nurse said “Dont eat too much, else you will poo during labour and you have already been given enema”

Really no idea how long this would take. Hubby gone home for lunch, was alone in labour room. Bored. Trying to walk about really hard to past time with the cramp peaking. Later I was strapped to the fetal monitor again. It was really discomfort lying on my back. Asked to have the strapped release so I could lie in a much comfortable position. Nurse said “No, the doctor say must monitor. We don’t want anything to happen to the baby”. Again I have to obliged. But they did take it off for a while after that for the rest of the afternoon I have been strapped up.

Dilation was slow. During one check in the afternoon I was only 3cm dilated, but my water bag ruptured during the internal check, the pain increased. The nurse didn’t purposely ruptured the water bag, it was just coincidently happened the same time during the internal check. Nurse asked if I wanted any pain killer, I said no. Nurse said I still can ask for one if I find the pain unbearable as long as it’s not over 8cm dilated. They offered pethidine.

The pain at the lower abdomen became more unbearable. It was already late afternoon. I have not seen the doc. Nurse said the doc will only come when I’m in labour, but they have updated the doc on my progress. I asked for pethidine when I was 6cm dilated. After that, I fell asleep. Drifting in and out of sleep throughout the rest of the afternoon, the pain felt distant but still I can feel it. Cant remember much after that.

I only remembered that I was ready to push somewhere near to 9cm and the time was 7pm. I remembered shouting “Where is the doctor? I don’t want to push now, my doctor not here yet” Nurse laughed and said it would be too late to push when the doc arrived, doc doesnt like to come in early and wait. Again been a first time mum, I just followed whatever been told. Again I don’t remember much after that. Only knew my doctor came in from no where asking me how I was coping. Of course I was in pain and couldnt really reply. But I could quickly remind him again loud and clear I wanted a local anaesthetic for episotomy (mum told me that it isn’t necessary because I wont feel the pain and told me she didn’t have any for her 2 deliveries, so I had to make sure I have mine, because I really hate the idea of being cut and stitch). The doc put on a plastic apron and those fishmonger boots in the labour room.

For the next 1/2 hour from 7pm it was just push push push, push harder. “I can see the head, push harder, but the baby didn’t want to come out”. I heard the doc mentioned a term to the nurse (can’t remember now, it’s about the position of the baby) baby was head down, but the face was facing side way and didn’t rotate correctly so he decided to use ventouse (vacum suction), hubby was with me all the time, but I cant remember what I did or said to him. I think it’s the effect of Pethidine. He was very brave with all the bloody scene, he even look at it and told me he can see the baby’s head crowning and encourage me to push harder. JS was born at 7.35pm. Was just too tired, I didn’t even want to hold the baby when they offered because I felt weak and wobbly. I was kept at the labour room longer because of the excessive bleeding and I hate the nurse “digging” to clean the womb. It was real discomfort.

I was sent to the ward 2 hour after delivery. Parents were already outside waiting for me. Hospital provided dinner and I was hungry. So I wobbled up the meal but right away threw up again, maybe because of the effect of the medicine. We stayed at the hospital for 3D2N.

Since I was the youngest in my family (of 5) and I didn’t get pregnant till I was 38 years old, and that I didn’t know anyone in Toronto (lived in L.A. for over 22 years before moving to Toronto … I imgrated from KL right after my highschool) … other then my hubby, my 3 older sisters and my niece (from L.A.) decided to come to “assist me” with my son’s arrival.

The month before they were schedule to arrive, I called my sisters almost everyday to keep them updated … make sure they had their passport, visa and all the ingredients they would need to make my favorite foods that I missed from KL … good excuse eat mah!!!

Anyway, being a diabetic, my ob told my husband and I, that I should have a C-section instead of a natural birth because our baby is going to “Big”. My ob is such a funny guy … he was talking to us about the whole procedure/option … going natural or C-section.

He said, we can go with plan “A” Natural Birth … that’s the “New In Thing Now”. No Epidural, no nothing … going Caveman (or Cavewoman) … Grrrrr … He added, we can go through all that, pain and all … so I can experience the whole Child-Birth thingy … plus 24 hours or more (give or take) of agony and then, end up with C-section because my baby is too big to come out naturally anyway.

Or plan “B” … booking a date for C-section and “pop’ comes the baby!!! Hmmmmmmmm…. pain and agony for 24plus hours or “pop” comes the baby??!?! So we book a date for this great event!

Originally, my son was due to be born Dec 10th, so we decided to name him Nicholas … X’mas … St. Nick … hint, hint, wink, wink. The only date available was Nov 30th. So we took the date and kept the name!

We arrived at the hospital “North York General Hospital” in Richmon Hill promptly at 6:30am. We went through the whole check-in procedures. The nurses were very nice to allow my sisters & niece to wait in the immediate waiting room area instead of outside where family and friends has to wait.

Anyway, they got me hooked up to and IV while they get everything ready and my doctor to arrive. I was sitting in this check-in area where they have little cubicles for other pregnant mummies who are ready to deliver. Everything was calm … no shouting or screaming.

They even allow my sisters & niece to come in to check on me, though one at a time, the whole time I was at the check-in area.

I was feeling very excited, just imagine in another hour or so, I get to finally meet my son!!! Everything was going smoothly. I remember thinking to myself, “Hey, this is easy … nothing to it. I was even wondering what was all the fuss. This is a piece of cake … can do this again!!!”

Then, this lady in one of the cubicle check-in area screamed!!! My God! That scream was so loud and scary, even the hairs on the back of my neck stood up!!! I grab my husbands hand and squeeeeeeeze!!! His face was as shocked as mine … dunno whether from my claws or from the lady’s scream! I heard the nurse said, “Only 2 cm. You will have to wait and try to relax”.

I must say, at that moment I was “Thanking God” I had to do a C-Section! I didn’t care what other people had told me about the danger and the possible complications. I even had a flashed back from one of my lamaze class, where the instruction was telling us that the pain is very real. Just imagine squeezing bowling ball through a 10 cm hole! I was wishing someone would get me out of there!

Anyway, the nurse must have read my mind. She came and took my husband and I into the surgery ward for my C-section. Phew! That was close!

In the surgery ward, there were 4 nurse and a anesthetist. One of the nurses helped me up the surgery table and the other told my husband where to stand. Then, the anesthetist introduce himself (I was too nervous to remember what he was saying) and told me to sit up straight. He then explained to me what he was going to do and what would happen and what I would feel.

At that point I was telling myself, “Whatever … can’t understand/remember what you’re saying anyways … just smile and nod!!!”. He had a nurse stand in front of me … hugging me, while he give me the epidural shot. I was expecting this PAIN … then, he said, all done. Relax and the nurse helped me to lay on my back.

All this happened in what seems to be less then 1 minute. I noticed I can’t feel the lower part of my body. They then put up this screen so I can’t see what the doc is doing to my tummy. My husband was asked to sit next to me by my head, to talk to me so I don’t panic.

I was more worried about my husband, who can’t stand the sight of blood, who may faint when they show him our baby … covered in blood! I heard him telling the doctor and the nurses that he doesn’t like the sight of blood, so he will NOT be cutting the cord! He even had the nerve to tell the doctor not to “Splash” him … don’t any blood on me okay?? That’s MY MAN!!!

We told the doctor to try to “Delay” the delivery after 9am … my brother checked on the “Feng Shui” & “Date & Time” for me, and he said, the later the better! So, my dear doctor was moving in slow motion so he can delay the delivery procedure.

As soon as the clock struck 9am, he proceeded on me. I couldn’t see what was going on but, my dear husband was giving me the play by play. “Aiya, he is cutting you ah. Can feel or not?? Waaaaahh … so much blood. Yuck! Aiyo, doctor putting his hand into your stomach, ah! My god, he tugging and pulling ah. Aiya! Blood Splashing ah! Can you feel anything?? Aiyo, can see something coming out. Aiyo, head … waaaah whole thing out lor!!! (Doctor announcing, Nicholas has arrived!) Hey Baby crying!!! Aiyo, doctor dump baby on your stomach. Cutting cord. Can feel ah?? Nurse taking baby. You stay here, ah. I go see where nurse taking baby, ok??

I am thinking to myself … where can I go dear??? I am laying here with my stomach open … where can I go??!??!

Anyway, nurse was telling me Nicholas was crying too much. There was another doctor standing by about 2 feet away. They were rubbing him and cleaning him up. Finally, I can hear Nicholas screaming!!!!

They finally brought gave Nicholas to my husband to carry and he brought him over to me so I could kiss him. Hmmmm….I can still remember his look and his smell. Then, I wanted to hold him so badly. The nurse said, I had to wait till I go to the recovery room before I can hold Nicholas.

Aaaah, I can understand why we, women can endure such pain. The reward is unbelievable!!! It’s great to be a mum!!!