Gabriel's Birth Story

Finally the little angel has arrived...

Again, this time he comes at a time when we were least expecting it.

5th Apr- at about 8.40 am, I was at KKWCH for my 37th week check up, and my obgyn, as usual, asked my how were things. I told her that I noticed that the baby seems to be less active for the past 2 weeks. She suggested induction, as she said there could be a risk of the cord surrounding the baby's neck, which cannot be detected from scan. The other option, if I do not wish to induce labour, is to obeserve closely for the next one week on his activity. I did not think it would be possible for me to do so, as work could keep me so busy to do such close monitoring. Hence, after some discussion, my husband and I decided to go for the induction, just like my previous pregnancy.

At about 9.30 am, I was wheeled to the Delivery ward, where the nurse came to insert Prostin, into my cervix so as to induce dilation. I was kept there for about 4 hours, till afternoon about 12 pm. The cervix dilated for only 1 cm, so my obgyn decides to put me back to the normal ward at ward 82, room 21.

When reached my room I had my lunch, and watched HBO while waiting for the moment to come. At about 4 pm, I was taken back to Labour ward.My obgyn came and saw that it has dilated to about 4 cm . She told me decisively that she would burst the water bag to speed up the dilation. Water gushed out, but I felt no pain, as they have already jabbed me with Pethidine on my thigh.

Then, the waiting game continues, until 10 pm, they said it's time for me to have epidural which I have requested earlier. Contractions came hard and strong, but thanks to the all wonder Epidural, I hardly felt any pain at all, except on the joint area between my groin and right leg. The anesthetist had to keep infuse some painkiller, until the pain fades away. But my legs were completely gone... they were so numbed that I was unable to move them at all.

At about 12 midnite, my obgyn came and she declared this was the moment- my cervix has fully dilated to 10 cm! The midwife and my husband had to hold my lifeless legs, while they coached me when to push the baby.


After doing some strenuous abdominal crunches for about 10 mins, my baby is out at 00:49. He weighs 2.88 kg (guess that's not too light as he's only 37 th weeks old), and 49 cm tall.

Like his daddy, he has a big nose with a high nose bridge. He also has high forhead, and straight palm lines on both of his hands. I think he is really a handsome boy! His eyes were wide open from the moment he's out, as if he couldn't wait to check out the world, and how his mummy and daddy look like.

6th Apr- My in-laws came in the morning, with my little girl. Taking up the advice from a friend, we have prepared a present for her, and gave in to her on the pretext that it was from her little bro. Initially she was a little apprehensive when she first saw her little bro, but the moment we presented the gift to her, you could see her face brighten up. She was so happy when she opened up to see her favourite Barbie doll inside! My little girl loves to check out Barbie dolls whenever we are out for shopping, but we have never bought her any as my hubby did not want her to become obsessed with such expensive dolls. Thus you can imagine how delightful she was to receive her first Barbie. Almost instantly, my girl warms up to Gabriel, and started to "sayang" him with kisses and touches. I must say that whoever comes up with the idea of giving present to the older sibling is reallybrilliant. It certainly helps to give the sibilings a good headstart in bonding.

7th Apr- I was admitted on Sat morning, and was discharged by Mon noon. This is so much shorter than my previous stay. In the last round, I had to stay in the hospital for a week before I could be discharged. Glad that I have chosen this Obgyn who is not only quick to make decision but also decisive as well, unlike my previous doctor. The Obgyn I previously engaged put me on Prostin for 3 days, and it was only when I forced her to do caesarean, then she decided to speed things up to burst the waterbag. The whole experience was so traumatising! That is why I changed my Obgyn this time round.