Date : 08 May 2005

Didn't know that I was having a contraction till much later. All the while I thought it was due to a full bladder despite making numerous trips to toilet. Had this feeling around 5+ or 6+am. Slept again till 8+am when Ethan woke me up asking to be nursed again. The pain was getting bad especially so when Ethan still wanted to be nursed. Though I explained to him that "Mummy, pain pain, Mummy needs to go toilet" , he still wanted his Mummy's milk. He seemed to know that baby is coming cos usually he only nursed for a while. A few times I just have to unlatch him and let him cry. After doing this for a few times, I decided just to carry him and later asked him to go and sleep with Daddy. He did so but only for a while and came back to me again :(. Finally I told Daddy please handle him as my bladder was very painful. Thus, Daddy took him to kitchen to look for his yogurt/milk. Glad that he is happy with it.

Finally told Daddy I wasn't too sure whether it's contraction pain or due to a full bladder cos the pain kept coming back though I hardly drank any water the day/night before.

9.00am

- sms-ed Ginny that I was thinking whether today is the day or is it that the bladder is causing the pain or could be contraction pain.
- Daddy said there is a program for the Palm PDA that can help to keep track of contraction thus he immediately went to the computer to download the program and installed in his PDA. We needed the info since Ginny will ask how long was the contraction and interval.
- Daddy showed me how to use the program by tapping the same button to start and end the contraction.
- Dear me has not packed the hospital bag and labour bag, so I was packing and enduring the contraction pain at the same time on all fours to cope with the pain.

9.25am

- Asked Daddy to call mum that today might be the day but my brother said she's out. That's got me a bit worried cos usually she will go out on weekends.
- So Daddy call her handphone but she didn't pick up.
- Daddy call the home number again, thinking of asking my brother to tell her to call us when she's back. Was so glad that she just came back to pick up the call.

9.30am

Since Ginny didn't reply my sms, I asked Daddy to call her. Based on the 'report' on the PDA, Daddy told her my contractions duration. Ginny has asked Daddy to get something for me to eat otherwise I may not be able to do so later.

9.45am

Daddy got Ethan ready to go to mum's place. Daddy asked me what would I like to eat but I really have no idea. So I said get some bao . Daddy explained to Ethan that Mummy is not feeling well and later he will get to see Baby Jarrett. He happily kiss the baby/tummy and waved bye bye to me.

I have stopped tracking the contraction after Daddy and Ethan left the house. Remember that Ginny said it's not necessary to track all contraction. But only much later did I realise the programme that I used to track the contraction became not so accurate cos it will average out the contraction duration though it will still keep the last 3 results.

10.15am

The contraction was getting stronger. I have started to moan so as to cope with each contraction. I was thinking why am I going through all these, can someone please remove my cervix for me, why don't I get epidural...
Asked God to help me to cope with each contraction.

10.25am

Daddy came back with food. Asked what I want, char siew bao or lor mai gai. I didn't answer Daddy cos I don't feel like eating as the contraction was really killing me.
Anyway, I still tried to eat as I need the energy to cope with the pain and push the baby out. But I only taken half of the small char siew bao.
Daddy has called Ginny again to ask her to come to our place.

10.55am

- Daddy asked me whether we should start to leave the house but I really don't know cos I didn't want to arrive there too early nor do I want to give birth in the car considering of the fact that it was raining, which may cause some delay due to the traffic...
- Anyway, Daddy made the decision for me and said Let's go . He packed the last few items and closed the windows and off the lights.
- He asked me whether I wanted him to drive the car to the ground floor near the lift while I made my own way down. My dear Daddy was trying to find the best way for me but I always couldn't make up my mind whenever he posted questions to me.
- Just before we left the house, I needed to change my panties then I realised that the mucus plug was out.
- Daddy told Ginny that we were getting ready to leave the house and asked her to go to hospital to meet us.
- She told Daddy to bring 2 towels since the mucus plug was out as the waterbag might burst anytime soon.
- Before the lift came, I just realised that I forgot to bring the supersoft pillow that I had been hugging at home.
- Thank God that we left the house together cos the contraction came again when we were in the lift. Felt very comfortable when he gave me the support in the position like we were having slow dance.
- When we reached the ground floor, was surprised to see there's coach with passengers. I was trying to act normal but I guess a Malay lady knew I was in labour, she looked very concerned.

11.18am

- Immediately, I went to the back seat of the car on all fours.
- Since I forgot to bring along the pillow for hugging I held the 2 towels.
- Half way the journey, Daddy asked whether I want to hug the bag instead. Thanks to Daddy for suggesting that.
- Didn't bother to check where were we while Daddy was driving so that I won't be panicking as to when we will reach the hospital.
- Felt great when I knew that Daddy was making the infamous U-turn which meant we are there!

From here onwards, I never keep track of the time.
- Daddy stopped the car where Ginny was already standing there waiting for us. Initially, she thought Daddy was alone cos she couldn't see me as I was on all fours in the backseat.
- She helped me out from the car and brought me to the labour ward.
- After greeting the nurse at the labour ward counter, we were told to proceed to room 10.
- Only a few steps away from the room, the contraction came again. Ginny seemed to know that and asked me whether I wanted to stop first but I went straight to the room as I could see the arm chair and big cushion. I immediately kneel on the arm chair and hug the cushion.
- After this contraction, I got up for Ginny and Nurse Bita to place the blue mats on the floor so that I could continue to kneel at the arm chair.
- As stated in my birth plan, I'm OK to have a vaginal examination upon arrival though it was very uncomfortable and I was so glad to hear that it's 8cm dilated! What a relief! That means it will be over very soon.
- the nurse also brought the CTG machine to check the baby heartrate.
- Ginny has been of great help, always assuring that I was doing fine, wiping my teary face, asking whether I need water, etc. She said that I was clenching my jaw and asked me to relax. I tried but I couldn't relax.
- Daddy came shortly and asked whether he needs to be around, Ginny said it's still ok so he left again to get the admissions done.
- Shortly, the waterbag bursts. Right after, I could hear Dr Paul's voice - yes, he has arrived :)
- Daddy was back again though he didn't manage to finish with the admission paperwork as one of the nurses went down to call him back. He gave me the encouragement and did some soothing low humming as practiced in Ginny's class.
- I could feel baby head and asking whether it was visible already.
- The urge of pushing was so strong, just like having a very bad constipation.
- The assurance from Dr Paul was very helpful too, was so pleased that he constantly said I am doing well.
- After a few more pushing, I could really feel baby's head is there and I felt that the prenuium was going to tear. It was so painful that I moved my upper body slightly higher so as to push even harder. Of course, I'm afraid of the tear but I really couldn't take the pain anymore as I really want the baby to be out.
- I was screaming as I was pushing then I realised I shouldn't but I couldn't help it and continued screaming to cope with the pain.
- Was glad that the head is out and I took a break.
- Just when I thought it was nearly over, the next contraction came and I had to push again to get the body out. Another round of screaming.
- But once the shoulder is out, the whole body just slipped out. Immediately I could hear his cries!

12:12pm

- Jarrett is born!
- Yes!! Finally it's over.
- Was so tired that I almost forgot I should hold the baby. I turned back to peep at baby and Dr Paul passsed the baby to me when I reposition myself to get up. While I cuddle the baby, Ginny helped me to get onto the bed and I tried to breastfeed him.
- Ginny was kind to help me in breastfeeding but this little one was just not interested. Took a while, then he finally started nursing.
- Dr Paul asked Daddy to feel to confirm that the cord has stopped pulsating, thereafter he clamped the cord.
- Shortly, the placenta is out.
- Dr Paul administer syndometrine injection to help stop the bleeding as I was bleeding slightly more than usual.
- LA was administered to stitch up the tear (3 stitches)

I'm so happy that finally everything is over and I had a non-medicated birth that I have wanted.

Many thanks to Dr. Paul, Ginny, nurse Bita and my dearest hubby for all the support and encouragement to help me with this non-medicated birth as I have wanted! :)

You can catch up more of Jarrett at his own blog . :)