On ½ day mc due to worsen conjunctivitis on my right eye. After dinner, Vic whom both eyes had conjunctivitis complaint that there seems to be a cut on his right eye and blurred vision. Headed to CHS A&E dept for a checked up. Specialist confirmed that there is a cut across his right pupil.  With blurred vision, Victor drove home and we picked Nicholas up at 11pm .

26 June 2004 , Sat 

As both of us were exhausted due to our conjunctivitis and taking care of Nicholas who was sick for the past 1½ weeks, we decided to send Nicholas to the babysitter so that we can have a good rest. Picked Nicholas up at 10pm .  After 5-10mins of nursing him, at 11pm , my water bag broke without any contractions and I continue with the nurse.  At 11:22pm started to experiencing mild contractions of 30sec per interval and shortly it went on to 45sec. I smsed Ginny (my doula) informing her of my situation. Ginny told me to rest as much as I could and update her again in 2 hours. Tried to rest on bed but can't. Felt better by walking around.

Called brother Meng to come over so that he could drive us to the hospital just in case I might need to go, in the middle of the night.  Aunty Choo heard that my water bag burst, urged me go to the hospital as I might deliver soon.  However, I am not willing to go in early as who knows how long would my labour be? At the meantime, Vic called babysitter to come over to bring Nicholas to her house to stay overnight.  Babysitter came at 12am to fetch Nicholas who already slept soundly.

Slightly before midnight , I called Ginny as the contractions were getting more intense and I could feel the sensations of bearing down. By this time, I have to rock my body or sit at the toilet bowl to ease the pain. I was on the phone with Ginny through one contraction, which I was quiet and focused throughout.

27 June 2004 , Sun

At 00:15 , Vic called Ginny and asked could she come over as the contractions are very close to each other. Ginny said ok and will arrive in 40mins. Meantime, brother came with youngest aunty to help. I asked her to do the timing during my contraction and I started to moan but she has no clue of what to do. She called Vic into the room to do the timing and it has accelerated to about 80sec.

Vic called Ginny again soon after to ask to meet at the hospital. During the journey to TMC, the bearing down sensations was getting even more intense and all I could do was to concentrate at each contractions. I was calm and coping well with each contraction all this while. To me the pain is bearable and I knew I am one step closer to delivery. Brother had a wrong turn when we were closed to TMC and in my heart I prayed that we would arrive soon as I do not wish to deliver in the car.

We arrived at about 00:35 and had a contraction as I got out of the car. As we entered TMC, the first thing Vic told Ginny was: "I think she is in the second stage already." We proceeded up to the labour ward with me experiencing a contraction in the lift. In Room Six, Midwife Susan did a vaginal examination with my consent in-between contractions and I measured 10 cm dilated. I had a CTG done for about 30mins during as the transmitter was not properly positioned; hence baby heart rate was not picked up initially. I asked for massages at my sacrum whilst Vic offered me sips of drinks, and Ginny wiped my face and held on to me. I reinforced to Susan that I would like to labour off the bed. Shortly after, Susan announced that Sheryl's heart rate was stable and removed the transmitters.

I immediately went into all fours, holding on to Ginny as the contractions came. Ginny was very assuring and comforting, coaching me to relax my jaw as each contractions came. Vic again showed his support by wiping my face, massaging my sacrum and taking pictures in-between. Throughout this time, I was laboring beautifully and courageously, just listening to my body and going with the flow of labour. I accepted each contraction as it came and went, taking faith in nature's design as I moaned through the contractions. Suddenly fear creep into me what if Dr Paul Tseng did not come in time as my labour processed so fast? He is my gynae, felt safer with him around. On second thought, I knew that I am at the good hand of Ginny and the midwives.

By the time Dr Paul came, Sheryl's head was visible in the birth canal. Dr Paul was stretching my perineum to prevent tear and to allow space for the baby to come out. The stretching was so painful than the bearing down sensation. Dr Paul and the midwives encouraged me to push the baby out and not to hold back as Sheryl was crowning. I was true to my instincts, only pushed when I felt like pushing. When Dr Paul asked me to push, I gently told him that I was not having the urge to push and would prefer to wait. Haha, I did not know that when baby had crowned, the sensation of pushing will be gone. I only decided to push accordingly to Dr Paul's encouragement that not to wait too long as Sheryl's head had crowned. After 3 pushes, a slippery baby came out of the birth canal. Sheryl was born into Dr Paul's hand and I was relieved and said "FINALLY!". I am happy and excited can't wait to see my little princess. Dr Paul passed Sheryl to Ginny in-between my legs and she passed her on to me. Paul and Ginny helped both Sheryl and me onto the bed. When Paul suggested cutting the cord, I reminded Paul that I would like to wait for the cord to stop pulsating before cutting. Paul announced that the cord has stopped pulsating and Vic had the honour to cut the cord. Vic managed to cut after 2 tries. It is quite hard.

Although I did not tear at my perineum, I had an upper laceration which Paul had to stitch up to stop the bleeding. During this time, I was calling Sheryl's name and establishing my breastfeeding relationship with her. Sheryl was very alert and starring wide-eyed at me, never moving her gaze. When my placenta came out shortly after, I took a peek at my daughter's lifeline when she was in my womb. By then, Sheryl was nursing like a champ.

I was very energetic and took a good shower. Can't sleep that night, not sure am I too excited or due to my neighbour who was wide awake watching TV program with all the lights on and the pungent aromatic scent choke me. On Sunday afternoon, ward nurse told me that I have to change to a single ward due to my conjunctivitis. This night I still can't really sleep as the after effect of my birth set in. I was aching all over from my lower back to sacrum and on both thighs. Beside the ache, both Baby and I are well and we checked out the next day.

Victor and I would like to give thanks to our Sovereign Lord for seeing us through during this time. He knew that our physical body were unwell and has given me a very short labour (around 3hrs) and birth the way I desired. Allowing me experiencing a total drug free victorious vbac and know what was happening during the labour. His protection upon the newborn spared from being infected by the conjunctivitis.

Victor, my dear hubby, for his support in engaging Ginny as my doula. For being with me though out the labour, despite being unwell with serious conjunctivitis on both eyes. His tender love and care in sipping me with energy drink and rubbing my sacrum. That really helps a lot in elevating the pain since I have lumbar problem.

Ginny, my doula, who has provided us with relevant reading materials and preparation for this 'special' day. Ginny has been such an encourager, comforter and her guidance to hubby has been a great help. Really without her, hubby would be at a lost as both his eye sight were so blurry like a blind bat. His right eye can only see things that are within one arm length. All he could do is to rely on Ginny.

Dr Paul Tseng, my ob & gynae, who always smile, supportive, assuring and working with us towards the birth I wished for - virginal birth after caesarean. I have confident in him who has successfully assisted many with vbac and non-medicated natural birth and also respect the mothers' wish unless medical needs arise.

Conjunctivitis Episode:

Hubby and me have to bandage our right eyes and keep cleansing our hand to ensure that we will not infect the new born. It was a stressful and worrisome period to me as I am totally breastfeed her. We headed to Mt E eye specialist for treatment when we check out of the hospital. This is the 1 st time both of us contacted conjunctivitis and it's really no joke. It took me 5 weeks and Vic much longer to recover from the conjunctivitis. Poor Vic can only see clearly our little Sheryl when she was 3 weeks old.

Testimony:

I had a memorable and wonderful non medicated vbac for my second birth. Ginny has been a great source of help and encourager. Providing us the information and knowledge to better prepared myself for the birth I desired.