Photo Session with Baba

Who is this guy next to me?  Do I know him?

Sophie and Julian

Julian always has a serious grumpy face and Sophie always look away from the camera, so this is the best we can capture for now

More of Julian

My Baba

This is what my Baba looked like one day after I came home... Hehehehe...It's my revenge at him for drawing blood on FOUR of my FIVE right fingers

Burping me at 1am

Making faces at each other.  Che Che is busy with her yao char guai (Chinese fried dough fritters)

My Grandparents

Yeh Yeh (Paternal grandfather), Nai Nai (Paternal grandmother) and Che Che (Big Sister)

Popo (Maternal Grandmother)

Introducing Julian

Entering the world first known as "didi" (Chinese for little brother), he has now been officially bestowed a cool name to compensate for his "uncle" look.  He has wrinkles like a 90-year old.

Believe it or not, this is actually Sophie at birth.  Don't they look alike?

Hello Didi!  This is Che Che and Popo...

In Baba's embrace

Funny face

Looks like this was what he was preoccupied with while in my stomach.  On his first night home, I trimmed those on his right hand, but his Baba complained that I did not do a good enough job, so he took over for the left hand, and promptly drew BLOOD on FOUR of his FIVE little fingers. 

Labour Diary

20 Oct

3:30pm - Regular doctor's appointment.  Strapped to CTG monitor for half an hour to track contractions and baby's heartbeat.  Three distinct contractions but hardly felt them.

4pm - Mentioned to doctor that there was reduced movement in the last few days, although not alarmingly so.  Doctor suggested to be admitted and get induced since I'm already 39+ weeks, just in case something is up with baby. 

5:30pm - Admitted to Delivery Suite. Strapped to CTG again. 

6pm - Prostin (induction tablet) inserted.  YL dropped by for a while before going off for dinner wtih Mom & Sophie.

7pm - Contractions more distinct and more frequent (less than 10 minutes apart), but still low on pain score.  Baby's heartbeat sounded like gallopping hooves.

9:30pm - YL returned to keep me company.  Still stuck in Delivery Suite because there were no wards available.  Apparently it was a very busy night with lots of babies arriving. 

10:30pm - Contractions getting distracting now, need to pause and breathe to let them pass each time.  Went for a walk to hospital's 7-11 to buy some snacks for YL and to pass time waiting for a room to be available.  On the way, heard women screaming in nearby Delivery Suites, and remembered thinking to myself..."Waaa so bad, meh?"

11pm - Finally transferred to a ward, but over at the gynae section because the labour ones are all taken.  Nurses there kept reminding me to inform them of any unusual pain because they are not specialists in labour.  Very strong pressure to pelvic area by now because of all the walking. 



21 Oct

12:45am - Contractions are certified painful now.  Asked to be transfered back to Delivery Suite for pain relief and to prepare for delivery.  Of course, now there's no Delivery Suite available....

1:15am - Walking around in ward to ease contraction pain which is now non-stop.

1:45am - Finally transferred to Delivery Suite.  Nurse checked and confirmed 3 cm dilated.  Asked for epidural.  Nurse called anaethetist and said he will arrive in 20 minutes.  Also informed my doctor.  Meanwhile, she suggested I take Entonox (laughing gas). 

Stupid thing did not work at all.  Remember thinking to myself, "What kind of pain relief is this???  Where is my epidural??  I don't think the doctor will make it!"  Trashed it away because pain is now unbearable.  YL reprimanded, "No, you have to keep it on and keep breathing!"  He took over the mask and kept it on me.  Nurses said the same.  "Just keep breathing.  Harder!  Faster!"  But it's not doing anything!!!  Involuntary screams and grunts accompanied by involuntary thrashing about and grabbing and shaking of bed rails. 

Waterbag burst after a loud pop.  Popping sensation reminded me of a champagne cork being popped open. 

2:10am - Anaesthetist arrived.  Started to inform me of side effects of epidural.  Sensation of baby emerging.  Removed gas mask and wailed, "Coming!" 

Anaesthetist paused, YL uncovered the blanket to peek down there.  Anaesthetist then informed YL in a very calm and gentle tone, "So, under these circumstances, an epidural is not appropriate."

YL replied equally gently, "Yes", but thought, "D'uh! Of course!! The baby is coming out already!"

Unbearable but very natural sensation to push.  Nurses scolded, "Not so fast! No, no, no! Take more gas!" and placed hand over baby's head to prevent it from emerging and tearing my perineum. 

Don't see how taking more gas will help, but tried anyways.  Four more illegal pushes. 

2:25am - Baby cries.  Instant relief. 

2:30am - Doctor arrived.  Delivered placenta.  Stiched up the tear with local anaesthetia.

Nurse asked rhetorically, "Aiya...Why so fast?..." 


I went from 3cm dilated to birth in less than 30 minutes.  To all second-time mothers-to-be out there, it's true that the second time is a lot faster....