The Lims: Delivery process of B

17 June Thu
9pm to 11pm. B usually moves a great deal daily, especially during this period. He'd be squirming from the time I put K to bed. I would end up playing with him by rubbing him or tapping on the part that sticks out while watching TV and even when I go to bed, he'd still be wriggling. Tonight - there was no movement. I was naturally worried.

18 June Fri
10am. Had called the clinic earlier to ask about going in to the clinic to do a check on B. Went to Dr Sim's clinic. Baby was ok. He was moving alot, again. His heartbeat was also ok. But Dr Sim asked if we want to move the c-section earlier to today.

We talked about it over lunch at Long House. We went through what the plans would be if we had the procedure done today as compared to on Monday as was orginally scheduled. Conclusion was that it would be less traumatic for K if we had it today.

But it was a little sudden and we / I needed time to accept the plan. I had to come to terms with reality that it would mean that I'd never experience a natural birth. It would mean I would miss the Gazillion bubble show. It would mean I won't get to introduce the baby to K.

We picked K up from school early so that I could nap with her. At about 3pm, we called the clinic to ask about the admission procedure and what time we would need to admit. Then everything was set in motion. Sent Dopey for boarding. Aircon repair man finally came. Got Kim to eat her tea. Packed my hospital bag for the last time. Packed Kim's bag for her time at the hospital. Called mum to get her to meet us at the hospital. Called my parents to tell them the plan. Called Ah Chu, the confinement lady.

At 5pm, we set off. The theatre was only available at 8pm so we were to admit at 6pm.

Admission took a while. Senior Nurse Thong went through my medical history with me. We saw Nurse Joan! She was the one who took really good care of me and K when K was born. Both of them tried to engage K. She finally told them her name!

We came to the ward where we got to put down out things. My neighbour was there and she had tonnes of visitors who really didn't have any initiative. I was dressed only in my gown and was trying to climb onto the trolley but they just stood there in the room. Like, hello. Can you leave for a while?!

Peen's mum came along to watch over K. I gave K a big hug and kiss before I went in. I was quite emotional. I mean only God knew the outcome, right? I wanted to keep holding onto my little girl.

I was left in the waiting area while while Peen went to change into his gown. Then at 7.30pm, I went into theatre.

There I met Dr YC Lim, the anaesthetist. He's older than the previous one I had, Dr Wong KH and more chatty too. I got to chat with him about my previous experience and some symptoms that I had experienced. He took time to try to explain why I might have had those symptoms and he would try to prevent some of them this time round.

I told him about the need to keep moving the last time, that I felt very restless. He gave me a white solution every few minutes. I felt the effects of the first dose very soon after. It made me feel high, like I had had a few drinks. It was to counter the restlessness and to counter the shivers. He was also very reassuring.

Dr Sim came in about 8.03pm. I only realised then that she was teochew too. And so was Dr Lim. It turned out to be a teochew conversation throughout. It was quite funny.

P came in shortly after. He kept asking if I was ok. I was. I wasn't too worried either as Dr Lim had already put me at ease. Besides, I had the happy white concoction to keep my spirits up.

Only a few seconds after administering the epidural, I felt its effects. Although I had already gone through it previously, I was surprised at how I didn't have any feeling in my legs and had absolutely no control over them. Tried as I did, I simply could not move a muscle in them! They felt like two dead fish to me. Dr Lim was quite amused when I told him that. He laughed, telling Dr Sim that I had "two see he" (two dead fish in teochew).

Not long after, it was time for the Drs to push the baby out. This was usually done by the anaesthetist. I was surprised at how quick it was this time round and how I didn't feel anything. I could the last time feel the kneading, as if I was a lump of dough.

Out came B at 8.15pm crying. But he wasn't as loud as K. Oh, he really looks like K. P said that he has my ears. And he has P's eyes and nose. Oh no. The same lousy combi that K has. Only hope he'll still turn out as cute as K.

Was wheeled out at 8.51pm. P wasn't with me anymore. He went with B to the nursery, presumably to count his fingers and toes and for B to have his measurements taken.