Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Estelle's Daddy
I'd like to dedicate this space for a very important person. From the very day the second line showed on the pregnancy kit, he was there with me, participating in my pregnancy in every way he could.
In the early part of my pregnancy, I had a very bad headache once, and he took care of me, putting hot and cold towel on my head to make me feel better. The diarrhoea episode was even more trying. I had the runs the entire night till dawn, and the minute the first ray of sunlight hit the earth, he called up Dr Lee and went running to the pharmacy to get me medication. For the one or two times I had extra craving for Tiramisu, he drove out late at night to get it for me.
Every check-up at the clinic was a celebration, because he never failed to be with me to witness the baby's heartbeat, hands, legs, fingers, toes, brain, abdomen, spine, everything. Over the ten months, we watched Estelle grow from a tiny egg to a beautiful child. The togetherness as a family is heart-warming.
Every lesson at the antenatal class was a date I looked forward to. He learnt everything with me, from feeding to changing diaper to bathing and even the birth process. I asked him if he'd bathe the baby himself, he replied without batting an eyelid, "Of course. It's MY BABY too." I was touched, because he really wanted to be a good father.
Shopping is something I have always done alone, because he's never enthusiastic about shopping. However, shopping for baby's stuff became an activity that filled our weekends. He'd flip through the papers to source for warehouse sales or advertisements on baby products, and off we'd go, carting loads of things back home.
During my 12 hours of labour, he was with me sharing my pain. When I could take the pain no more, he was supportive of my decision to take epidural. I knew deep down, he couldn't bear to see me in such agony. When Dr Lee told me we had to do a C-section, I cried and cried. He looked into my eyes and assured me that it's going to be okay. Somehow, it gave me a lot of strength and I just became braver instantly.
After the operation, as I was wheeled out of the operating theatre, I met him and quickly asked, "Did you see her?" Like an excited child, he exclaimed with tears of joy glistening in his eyes, "She's so cute!" He was more moved than what I expected him to be.
The first words that he said to me when I was back in the ward were, "I love you." It came straight from his heart, I could feel it.
I knew there and then, I have found the right man for myself, and the perfect father for Estelle.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Estelle's Birth Story
I know everyone has been anticipating my arrival, and finally, after 12 hours of labour at Raffles Hospital, my brave mama has finally delivered me on 25th Jan 2006. That's my birthday.
My papa admitted my mama at 5am that morning. After confirming that mama was having contractions, and with advice from Dr Vincent Lee, my mama's gynae, mama's left hand was poked and she was put on a drip. The contractions became from bad to worse but brave mama endured the pain. The contractions also made me pretty stressed up and uncomfortable.
After 5 hours of sheer torture, and having tried even the laughing gas, my mama discussed with papa and finally they decided to take the epidural. Mama wanted to conserve the last bit of energy for the final push as she was really exhausted fighting the pain. Furthermore, she had cleared her bowels and not eaten a single crumb of bread. Poor mama was really hungry and she had very little energy left.
After taking epidural, mama became more relaxed and even napped for a while. The contractions didn't end there and I also kindda became groggy after a while.
Finally, the moment that we had been waiting had come. At 4pm, Dr Lee appeared and checked mama's cervix. Bad news. Mama had not dilated more than 3cm after the whole day! He told mama, "Desiree, I'm afraid you have to do a caeser." It dropped like a bomb and mama started to cry. Dr explained that my heartbeat went down a bit and so it didn't look good. Mama became even more scared and worried.
Papa assured Mama that everything's gonna be ok. Wih Papa's encouragement, Mama wiped her tears and decided to brave through it. Within a few minutes, Mama was wheeled out of the delivery suite, into the lift, out of the lift, and through doors and doors before she came to the OPERATING THEATRE.
The doctors did their stuff, and whoala! My cries pierced through the atmosphere. I was born!
I was carried to mama's face and I winked at her. Mama cried and cried and she kissed me on my right cheek. Feeling her warm lips on my face, I know I'll enjoy a lifetime of love from her and Papa.
My name is Soo Yin Xin Estelle. I will grow up and make my parents proud :)
My papa admitted my mama at 5am that morning. After confirming that mama was having contractions, and with advice from Dr Vincent Lee, my mama's gynae, mama's left hand was poked and she was put on a drip. The contractions became from bad to worse but brave mama endured the pain. The contractions also made me pretty stressed up and uncomfortable.
After 5 hours of sheer torture, and having tried even the laughing gas, my mama discussed with papa and finally they decided to take the epidural. Mama wanted to conserve the last bit of energy for the final push as she was really exhausted fighting the pain. Furthermore, she had cleared her bowels and not eaten a single crumb of bread. Poor mama was really hungry and she had very little energy left.
After taking epidural, mama became more relaxed and even napped for a while. The contractions didn't end there and I also kindda became groggy after a while.
Finally, the moment that we had been waiting had come. At 4pm, Dr Lee appeared and checked mama's cervix. Bad news. Mama had not dilated more than 3cm after the whole day! He told mama, "Desiree, I'm afraid you have to do a caeser." It dropped like a bomb and mama started to cry. Dr explained that my heartbeat went down a bit and so it didn't look good. Mama became even more scared and worried.
Papa assured Mama that everything's gonna be ok. Wih Papa's encouragement, Mama wiped her tears and decided to brave through it. Within a few minutes, Mama was wheeled out of the delivery suite, into the lift, out of the lift, and through doors and doors before she came to the OPERATING THEATRE.
The doctors did their stuff, and whoala! My cries pierced through the atmosphere. I was born!
I was carried to mama's face and I winked at her. Mama cried and cried and she kissed me on my right cheek. Feeling her warm lips on my face, I know I'll enjoy a lifetime of love from her and Papa.
My name is Soo Yin Xin Estelle. I will grow up and make my parents proud :)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Am I In Labour?
Baby is supposed to be due this Thursday. Until yesterday, Monday, there wasn't any action.
Last night, gynae checked me and said that I'll either be on time, that means this Thursday, or a bit late. So I'll have another appt with him on Thursday noon, and if nothing happens, I'm supposed to admit myself that very night. He'd probably induce the delivery on Friday.
Sounds like my own birth xx years ago. I was a 10 day late baby and had to be induced. My original birthdate was 20 Dec but I only saw the world on 30 Dec.
Somehow, I started to feel a bit scared.
Then, last night, actually it was this morning, at 1am, I started feeling cramps. For the first time in many months, felt cramps ok! And also for the first time, I was so happy getting cramps. People who have had the experience all tell me the first tell tale sign is cramps. I monitored the regularity and was convinced that it must be early labour signs. The cramps were very mild, and I even managed to sleep through the night. This morning, after waking up, told my hubby about my experience and he became pretty excited. Asked him to go for work as usual as the cramps were still very mild and tolerable. He did.
It is now 1.30pm and the cramps are still mild. I really wish that the real thing would come quickly. I'm all ready!
Last night, gynae checked me and said that I'll either be on time, that means this Thursday, or a bit late. So I'll have another appt with him on Thursday noon, and if nothing happens, I'm supposed to admit myself that very night. He'd probably induce the delivery on Friday.
Sounds like my own birth xx years ago. I was a 10 day late baby and had to be induced. My original birthdate was 20 Dec but I only saw the world on 30 Dec.
Somehow, I started to feel a bit scared.
Then, last night, actually it was this morning, at 1am, I started feeling cramps. For the first time in many months, felt cramps ok! And also for the first time, I was so happy getting cramps. People who have had the experience all tell me the first tell tale sign is cramps. I monitored the regularity and was convinced that it must be early labour signs. The cramps were very mild, and I even managed to sleep through the night. This morning, after waking up, told my hubby about my experience and he became pretty excited. Asked him to go for work as usual as the cramps were still very mild and tolerable. He did.
It is now 1.30pm and the cramps are still mild. I really wish that the real thing would come quickly. I'm all ready!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tai Tai Days
I'm officially on maternity leave as of Monday.
Taking prenatal leave coz I don't want to forfeit my 1 week March holidays.
Anyway, since my due date is next week, I might as well rest at home. If not, I'll still be cheonging around in school doing this and that, and getting myself all stressed up and tired. Once I work, I can't slow down. Major problem I have, I know. Just can't slow down.
Still working from home, on my email a lot, on my computer a lot, but at least I don't have to get up early, don't have to travel to work and home, and don't have to stress over marking and stuff like that.
Starting to enjoy my tai tai days. To me, this is really a luxury. I didn't even get a decent rest during the last December holidays.
Feel a little apologetic towards my colleagues, especially the other HODs who have to cover my duties while I'm away on national service. More so when I've just been formally appointed as HOD wef this year, and then have to be away. Nevermind, I will "pay back" when the other HOD goes on her DDM course in July. :)
Right now, I should just relax and wait for Estelle to come into my life.
Taking prenatal leave coz I don't want to forfeit my 1 week March holidays.
Anyway, since my due date is next week, I might as well rest at home. If not, I'll still be cheonging around in school doing this and that, and getting myself all stressed up and tired. Once I work, I can't slow down. Major problem I have, I know. Just can't slow down.
Still working from home, on my email a lot, on my computer a lot, but at least I don't have to get up early, don't have to travel to work and home, and don't have to stress over marking and stuff like that.
Starting to enjoy my tai tai days. To me, this is really a luxury. I didn't even get a decent rest during the last December holidays.
Feel a little apologetic towards my colleagues, especially the other HODs who have to cover my duties while I'm away on national service. More so when I've just been formally appointed as HOD wef this year, and then have to be away. Nevermind, I will "pay back" when the other HOD goes on her DDM course in July. :)
Right now, I should just relax and wait for Estelle to come into my life.
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