I took leave when 38 weeks pregnant, as I was getting heavy and wanted a rest. Looking back, it was a luxurious two weeks before baby arrived. I had lots of naps during the day (and night), something I would sorely miss! At the same time, it seemed like baby would never come. I just couldn't wait to meet her.
Two days before her due date, when I woke up on a Sunday morning, I saw some blood streaks in a mucus-like discharge. I didn't want to get my hopes up as I knew that it was possible for the mucus plug to discharge days before labour starts.
At 11.30am, my abdomen felt a bit uncomfortable, although it wasn't what I would describe as cramps or contractions, but just a general constant discomfort with lower back ache. By 1pm, there was definite frank blood. I continued on with our usual activities like church service and lunch, and went for a walk on the treadmill at 4pm.
By evening, there was fairly regular contractions which I thought were Braxton-Hicks as I had similar sensations throughout the later half of pregnancy. Pain was minimal at about 1-2 out of a score of 10. My husband and I went out for a Thai dinner, and throughout I was conscious of the regular tightenings in the background.
At 10pm, I started to get a little worried about the bleeding. I could still feel regular movements from baby, but I wanted some reassurance, so we headed to the hospital at about midnight. Little did I know that I was already dilated 5cm! Baby was doing fine as well.
Things started to intensify by about 3am with contractions increasing in intensity and duration of 40-50 seconds. I tried deep breathing, visualising, and other relaxation techniques, but by about 4-5am, things were getting too much for me. I woke my husband up and called for an epidural. Such relief!
I was fully dilated at 7.45am, and started to push when baby's station was +1 at 8.45am. I reached down and felt lots of hair!
A final push and our little girl was born at 9.58am. I was overwhelmed with emotions from the very first moment I saw her, and cried tears of joy. She lay on my chest and I took in all of her features - her chubby cheeks, her little fingers and toes. I could hardly believe that this little baby girl was ours.
I am thankful for the wonderful team of medical staff from NUH. Labour and delivery went fairly smoothly for me, although breastfeeding in the initial stages felt like it was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. Baby didn't latch on easily, and it was especially difficult when she was hungry as she would be crying hysterically. It was also impossible to feed her in her sleep, regardless of what the blogs and resources suggested! I spent hours and hours reading and watching videos on latching, and am truly grateful to the lactation consultants from NUH who kept encouraging me to keep going.
Post-partum recovery also had its challenges. I had great support from my husband, a confinement nanny, and of course family and friends - yet there were times when emotions, anxiety, and guilt got the better of me. I tend to want to do everything myself, but after having baby, I now understand that we truly need a village.
Several months on, breastfeeding really does get easier, and is now enjoyable for both baby and I. My little girl is a delightful ball of energy and smiles, and I am so thankful for her.
Although breastfeeding is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world, many women do suffer from difficulties associated with breastfeeding. I am available to help and support, even if just a listening ear, if you are facing any post-partum issues.
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