8 August... My routine gynae check-up at 36 weeks after 1 week of being confined for home rest.
Though my mobility was rather slow and i got tired easily, i was really happy to be home for that week, spending precious one-on-one time with ariel being the newborn arrived. I suspected i was already in early labour during the week. Couldn't sleep at night with general discomfort, and i had what appeared to be diarrhea due to the loosening of cervix muscles.
Back to 8 August (Monday). My amniotic fluid index dipped further, below 3 this time. In addition, my gynae found that i was already 4cm dilated.
So we discussed that it was best to induce labour today.
Well, previously i was also sent off to deliver at a routine gynae check, so this time i was mentally prepared. I didn't mind giving birth on the 8th or 9th (national day), as both were nice dates, haha.
Off i went to the delivery suites where i was put on antibiotic drip as i was GBS positive again. really hate the blood plug. after 30 mins of the drip, a medical officer came in to break my water bag at about 10am. thereafter, i was plugged up for oxytocin.
the contractions started progressing til it was about 2 mins apart and i relied on the glorious laughing gas for relief and to help me catch some precious winks. honestly, the "high" feeling that the gas gave was really good. Til i was about 5-6cm dilated and i couldn't take the pain, i requested for epidural. helped me relax and within about 30 mins, my dilated went from 6cm to 9cm to my amazement. So the room nurse quickly called my gynae who showed up within 5 minutes, as she was just running clinic downstairs. all throughout labour, i was claiming Bible promises and commanding my body for quick and smooth labour. the quick dilation was really something to be thankful for.
Giving thanks to God, my labour this time was about 5 hours, and Aden Ang Tian Le was born at 1552 with a birth weight of about 2.8kg. My first thought when i saw him: He's so clean! Must have been the coconut juice i was drinking daily to increase the amniotic fluid.
Because Aden was born before full term, he had to be sent for monitoring and pricked on his little heel every 4 hourly to monitor his blood sugar level. also had to do more tests compared to a baby born after 37 weeks.
Right now, I've completed almost 3 weeks of confinement. This round, my confinement is DIY. It's tougher than the first for sure. my first born is generally sweet and loving, but has her moments of meltdowns which is totally normal in this transition from being the only child. I feel bad for the times i lost my patience with her. she behaves mischievously deliberately in an attempt to seek attention, sigh. Praying for grace, patience and joy to manage this.
To be honest, i don't know how going back to work will turn out. my helper definitely cannot handle these 2 alone. while we've made plans for someone to always be around, i do not know how things will work out in the long term. Perhaps, i really have to leave my job. but we have another financial commitment of a 2nd property (really a leap of faith where the Lord gave me Psalm 84:3 as an assurance of provision) which we purchased on 5 August - will write about this another time. Lord, may you provide abundantly for every situation. we'll never be in lack!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Thursday, August 04, 2016
Week 35-36
After 3 consecutive visits of low amniotic fluid, I wasn't sure whether to expect it to rise at my latest visit on 1 August.
I drank coconut juice and lots of water everyday. But it was still at a low of 4.7.
Otherwise, baby's growth and heartbeat were normal.
I've done so many scans and monitoring this round until i was wearied. Not counting the private-rate charges that come with these investigations!
Another thing was - my cervix was already 2cm dilated.
Means i would likely have to go into pre-term labour.
Doctor ordered for me to have 2 steroid jabs on the thigh which were super painful... and 1 week of hospitalization leave to rest at home.
I'll need to induce the baby out next week if contractions don't take place naturally anytime this week.
People say every pregnancy is different. Well, this round is really different indeed. such a toll on my body compared to my first. Perhaps the loosening of muscles made my hemorrhoids come back. It is really dreadful. My wrist started to hurt too, and i don't recall straining it.
Well, but i count it all joy with a thankful heart :)
Praying that labour and delivery will be fast and complication-free, in His perfect timing.
Seriously, i do not know what to expect since i was induced for my first pregnancy, and have not experienced the rites of labour progression...
I drank coconut juice and lots of water everyday. But it was still at a low of 4.7.
Otherwise, baby's growth and heartbeat were normal.
I've done so many scans and monitoring this round until i was wearied. Not counting the private-rate charges that come with these investigations!
Another thing was - my cervix was already 2cm dilated.
Means i would likely have to go into pre-term labour.
Doctor ordered for me to have 2 steroid jabs on the thigh which were super painful... and 1 week of hospitalization leave to rest at home.
I'll need to induce the baby out next week if contractions don't take place naturally anytime this week.
People say every pregnancy is different. Well, this round is really different indeed. such a toll on my body compared to my first. Perhaps the loosening of muscles made my hemorrhoids come back. It is really dreadful. My wrist started to hurt too, and i don't recall straining it.
Well, but i count it all joy with a thankful heart :)
Praying that labour and delivery will be fast and complication-free, in His perfect timing.
Seriously, i do not know what to expect since i was induced for my first pregnancy, and have not experienced the rites of labour progression...
Week 35-36
After 3 consecutive visits of low amniotic fluid, I wasn't sure whether to expect it to rise at my latest visit on 1 August.
I drank coconut juice and lots of water everyday. But it was still at a low of 4.7.
Otherwise, baby's growth and heartbeat were already.
I've done so many scans and monitoring this round until i was wearied. Not counting the private-rate charges that come with these investigations!
Another thing was - my cervix was already 2cm dilated.
Means i would likely have to go into pre-term labour.
Doctor ordered for me to have 2 steroid jabs on the thigh which were super painful... and 1 week of hospitalization leave to rest at home.
I'll need to induce the baby out next week if contractions don't take place naturally anytime this week.
People say every pregnancy is different. Well, this round is really different indeed. such a toll on my body compared to my first. Perhaps the loosening of muscles made my hemorrhoids come back. It is really dreadful. My wrist started to hurt too, and i don't recall straining it.
Well, but i count it all joy with a thankful heart :)
Praying that labour and delivery will be fast and complication-free, in His perfect timing.
Seriously, i do not know what to expect since i was induced for my first pregnancy, and have not experienced the rites of labour progression...
I drank coconut juice and lots of water everyday. But it was still at a low of 4.7.
Otherwise, baby's growth and heartbeat were already.
I've done so many scans and monitoring this round until i was wearied. Not counting the private-rate charges that come with these investigations!
Another thing was - my cervix was already 2cm dilated.
Means i would likely have to go into pre-term labour.
Doctor ordered for me to have 2 steroid jabs on the thigh which were super painful... and 1 week of hospitalization leave to rest at home.
I'll need to induce the baby out next week if contractions don't take place naturally anytime this week.
People say every pregnancy is different. Well, this round is really different indeed. such a toll on my body compared to my first. Perhaps the loosening of muscles made my hemorrhoids come back. It is really dreadful. My wrist started to hurt too, and i don't recall straining it.
Well, but i count it all joy with a thankful heart :)
Praying that labour and delivery will be fast and complication-free, in His perfect timing.
Seriously, i do not know what to expect since i was induced for my first pregnancy, and have not experienced the rites of labour progression...