HELLO Jayden!

... Finally, 19-Oct has arrived and passed.

The labour process wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be. I came to realized that it was the aftermath of the labour that was the beginning of every mom's nightmare. And I'm starting to respect those that actually lived thru it and even salute those who opt for natural birth without any pain reliever (They must be out of their mind!)

19-Oct:

• 530am: woke up to wash up and was surprised to see bloody discharge. 1st sign of labour. Must be a good sign.
• Reached KK at 640am and had my 'last meal' at Mac before registering for admission at 710am.
• 715am: was pushed to the delivery suite and put on CTG scan. Gynae came to check for dilation. Mommy was already 1cm dilated!
• 740am: Gynae decided to insert the 1st tablet and mommy was left on CTG scan.
• 1100am: was pushed out of delivery suite to normal ward to monitor for contractions. Gynae said will insert 2nd tablet at 6pm
• 1130am: started to feel the contractions and begin to monitor timing. Each interval was 5-7 mins
• 1230pm: contractions were getting more unbearable, nurse suggested pain reliever at the thigh but decided to wait longer to monitor
• 2:00pm: Pain was getting worse and interval was every 4-5 mins. Told the nurse I need the pain reliever NOW and was pushed to the delivery suite again.
• 2:30pm: Gynae came to check and found that mommy was already 2cm dilated! Burst the waterbag and instructed the nurse to put on epidural instead.
• 2:45pm: Was given the laughing gas to sedate the pain while they inject the epidural. Everything became a daze. And the contraction pains were GONE! Gynae estimated delivery timing to be 12am - 2 am.
• 6:30pm: Nurse came for routine CTG scan and was shocked to see that mommy is FULLY dilated and could see Jayden's scalp. (Mommy started to panic)
• 6:45pm: Nurse started asking mommy to push. Side effects of the epi started to kick in as well. Mommy was shivering so terribly, she didn't have the strength to push. Daddy tried to comfort mommy.
• 7:20pm: Mommy still pushing but head still barely out. Mommy is tired and shivering.
• 7:30pm: Gynae came in and started to ask mommy to push again. Gathered a team of nurses to help to push the tummy as well.
• 7:34pm: Baby Jayden is OUT! What a relief! Gave my 1st breast milk at the labour ward while they stitch me up...

(But the nightmare has yet to begin...)

Was pushed back to the normal ward to rest and given milo. 2nd effect of epidural kicked in and mommy vomitted continously. Was dead tired but couldn't sleep as the wound was hurting like crazy after epi died off. Was even more pressurized when nurse mentioned that I had to pee within the next 6 hours. Spent the entire night from 1am - 4am trying in bed, NOTHING. At 545am, the nurse decided to insert the urine bag to empty the bladder.

20-Oct:

Gynae came in the morning to check on the wound. Everything seemed ok but still couldn't get out of bed. Felt like a handicap when nurses have to come change the dressing and pads. Was bleeding non-stop. Tried to breastfeed Jayden but failed. Asked the nurse to give FM instead.

21-Oct:

Tests were done on Jayden and am glad everything turned out fine. The stay at KK was very pleasant as the nurses were very attentive and took great care of the both of us. So Mommy thought everything was plain sailing and just waiting to be discharged.

NOW THE NIGHTMARE HAS JUST BEGUN...

Reached home at 3pm and everyone welcomed Jayden home. Decided to give FM for the rest of the night before confinement lady comes on 22-Oct.

Nightfall came and that was the start of our roller-coaster ride...

Seeing that I was totally drained out from the entire process, Daddy offered to stay up the night together with the MIL. We thought that by feeding him regularly every 3 hours would be a breeze. We were SO WRONG.

12:30am: Jayden started crying. We fed him.
1:30am: Jayden started crying again. Found out he poo-ed so we changed his diapers.
2:00am: Jayden CRIED AGAIN and this time it was NON-STOP. We couldn't tell if he had fever or stomach flu and PANICED.
2:15am: Decided to go to KK A&E when Jayden just couldn't stop crying.
2:45am: Doc at KK checked and found NOTHING was wrong. But did mention that could be viral infection. Mommy and Daddy were lost. Decided to admit Jayden instead and seek professional help.

The rest of the day at KK ward was a nightmare. The nurses couldn't help us and Jayden was crying every 1 hour. Sometimes he was hungry, sometimes he just want to be carried. We were going insane and didn't know what to do. We wanted to discharge and go home but the process had to wait till 5pm!

From 3am - 5pm was the longest wait for us. We didn't want to stay in the ward with the rest of the sick kids since Jayden was fine. Mommy regretted not asking the CL to come in earlier. :( What a painful and expensive lesson.

22-Oct:

CL finally came! Our saviour! And another roller-coaster ride again...
Jayden was still crying almost every hour. Poor CL had to take care of him. We didn't slept much either as I was suffering from breast engorgement! The pain was worse than contractions and the breasts were as hard as stone! :( Really almost wanted to give up there and then...

Now, mommy and daddy is still struggling with Jayden's pattern at home. I'm thankful that I had all the help I needed from Daddy and his family. Daddy has been a wonderful pillar if support during this period. Jayden and Mommy are very blessed indeed. Really hope things will turn out for the better... ... Please pray for us...