My birth story for my second baby is so much simpler. Although my husband suggested for me to go for planned birth (via induction) due to my discomfort in the later stage of pregnancy (backache, pelvic sore etc, unable to sleep and walk well etc), I was adamant about experiencing incoming labour symptoms in God's will!
On the 24 Jan 09, Dr Han, my gynae pointed out that I am low on amniotic fluid which may mean a number of complications. However, CTG 
shows that baby is comfortable and there is no cause for worry. On the second day of CNY 27 Jan 09, he scheduled another CTG to be done at delivery ward. I went there in the morning, all things are fine and I have minimal contractions too. Dr Han, on the phone relay the message that I will go home for that day. I happily continued my CNY visiting and even visited the Sentosa Flowers 2009! It was a wonderful CNY 2009 for me, just like the way I want it to be! I am glad that baby is co-operative …...if not I would have to spend lonely days at home during this festive season.
After settling Ian to bed that nite, I felt slight contraction around 930pm. Thinking that it is braxton hicks, I couldn't care less. As I was on the computer messaging with my sister and cousin, I started to notice that the “braxton hicks” seems to come in more frequently and each time more intense. This is it! So this is how it should be...:). I went around preparing Ian's school bag for the next day, and doing both our laundry and Ian's. I also prepared my newborn's room, making sure everything is ready for her homecoming. At 1130pm, I woke Kok Sung up, suggesting that we call my mum over just in case it is REALLY the real thing. Mum “flew” over in less than 10 mins. I was quite reluctant to leave the house cause I had hated the waiting at the delivery suite the last time I had Ian, but we left the house after much persuasion from my mum with our hospital bag. In the car, I decided we should visit McDonald before admitting myself into the hospital. I have kids meal with my favourite fries!
Admitting myself into the delivery suite, I was quite surprise Dr Han had just been to the delivery suite for another mother-to-be. However, he was already on his way home...the senior staff nurse checked and reported to him that my cervix was 4 cm dilated (required 10cm dilation for delivery). Dr Han gave instruction to have me warded in the delivery suite. Dr Han was back at the delivery suite at 1245am, he was wearing a pink t-shirt and in a festive mood. He jokingly says that he was only 3 minutes from home and I got myself admitted. “my life is run by all these women!”. He checked my cervix and said it is already 6cm dilated. He broke my water bag. He assured me this is going to be a real fast delivery. The nurse also informed me that there is no use for epidural now, it's too late!! In fact Dr Han still want to administer induction, his advice is that since it is already started, might as well make sure it will end tonite! This is because there are times whereby cervix will stop to dilate till another few days later. Furthermore, I am already low on amniotic fluid which is a worrying too. So now the only “painkiller” is nitrous oxide which the nurse taught me how to use... “Call me when you feel like passing motion!” Dr Han reminded me. I told him I feel like doing it now, he jokingly said, “ Don't bluff, can't be so fast, I am still wondering if I should go home first!” In the end he still decided to stay in the hospital...At 1:22am, I became to fidget, the contraction is intense, however nurse checked and said that it is only 7cm, I got to control the urge to push....The nitrous oxide doesn't help (or should I say I didn't use it correctly), I got to push it away as it is blocking my normal breathing. Dr Han happened to come in for a check and commented, “ what's wrong with her (me)” I told him I just want to push now. Dr Han checked and said let's do it. It is already 9cm dilated! Time to work!
“Be an obe
dient girl and listen...” Dr Han keeps saying as he position me for the delivery. I had insisted that I sit up, but Dr Han advised that 
I should lie lower so that I could have more space to push. My mind was only focus on pushing, but subconsciously I listened to him. “Yes! I can see the baby coming out! But you got to do it little by little if we don't want episotomy”. After a few tries, Dr Han still go ahead with the episotomy, my husband was also agreeable. “It is definitely better than tearing...” Baby Jane was delivered at 1:38am with a Apgar score of 9.5. Thank God, things are perfect.
