My Poor Baby!! Booo...Hoo.. HOo...

On the 4th day, (7th April) we brought Gabriel for a check up to check on the jaundice level. To my disappointment, the jaundice level was very high. According to the pediatrician, Dr. Irene Chan, that Gabriel’s jaundice index was 291 (at 300, he has to be admitted). Apparently, it 291 was considered high for a 4 day old baby, hence she advised that was admit the baby into a hospital straight away. We chose Mount Alvernia mainly because of the location. However, being a mom for the first time, I was heartbroken to know that he has to be separated from me for 2 days. Tears swelled up my eyes and couldn’t help but hold him so close to my chest.

We arrived at Mount Alvernia, St Gabriel’s ward (Jaundice room) where he does his photo therapy. It was such a painful sight to see him cry and feel so unsettled on the bed. I had no choice but to carry him to try to breast feed him, hoping that he’ll fall asleep soon and be able to receive the treatment as soon as possible. However this boy is so super sensitive. He cried the moment they unwrapped him. He struggled. Cried. Oh…my heart really hurts to see him reacting this way. Mark quickly pulled me away. I guess we just have to trust him into the hands of the nurses… and most importantly ….in God’s hands!

When we reached home,….it just felt so strange and different. It was so empty. So quiet. No baby cries. No breastfeeding. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t sit. Nothing that I could do. LOST.

The next day morning (Sunday), we received a call from Dr. Chan saying that the jaundice level has gone down by a little, but not good enough to bring him home yet. So another day without the baby.

9th April 2007
Baby Gabriel finally came home with a lower index of 198 compared to 297 when he was first admitted. He was still 'yellow' for the next few days, infact weeks. Seemed to have improved this week.

Still waiting...

On 3rd April 2007 (At 2am)
Midwife came in to check on me. She said I was doing very well, dilated to about 4cm.

(At 4 am)
Dr Julianah came to the delivery suite. Baby’s heart beat has dropped and she had been notified. I was administered oxygen to help improve the situation. Indeed it was really helpful. She checked me and we were glad that I was already 7-8cm dilated. She was very confident that I will be fully dilated by morning (7am)

Despite having epidural, I could still feel the contractions. They were relatively bearable. Midwives advised me not to increase the dosage as it would numb my legs further and would not be very helpful in the pushing later on.

(At 7.45 am)
Dr. Julianah FINALLY arrived. The contractions were excruciating as the midwives shut off the epidural. Slightly before 8am, she quickly geared up and we started trying to push to get the baby out. It was a very memorable experience. I’m really glad that Mark was next to me. His encouragement, telling me each time he could see the baby’s head, really keeps me going. In less than 20 mins, Gabriel was delivered at 8.12am.



He weighed 3.625kg and measured 51cm. A big baby indeed!

I’m glad that everything is over.

Mark and I were overjoyed to hear his cries…… after such a long wait…. 39 weeks and 4 days…. Wonder what Gabriel would weigh at full term 40 weeks? Hmmmm… glad I didn’t wait that long.


After they clean him up, he was placed by my side to be latched on. It was a very successful attempt. Thank GOD for that!


I was transferred to the 2-bedder ward (4401) by 10am and I spent the next few minutes messaging friends to inform them of Gabriel’s arrival.

I remembered asking for food. My last meal was 6pm the day before and it has been more than 24 hours!!
Finally they served my lunch at 12.30pm. just as I was happily enjoying my meal, they brought baby Gabriel to me!!! Well, filling my stomach is definitely more important! After I gobbled down my food, quickly carried Gabriel to my side. It is really an amazing feeling that I’m already a Mom!

The Long Wait...

On 2nd April 2007 (At 8pm)
I was admitted into Mount Elizabeth Hospital at 8pm. My Gynaecologist, Dr Juliana Abu- Wong checked and to our disappointment...."You are only 2cm dilated."
"Oh Man, I've waited this long and I'm only 2cm dilated...that's very far off from 10cm!!" I thought.
Anyway, I was put on the drip to hasten the dilation. Water bag was "forced" broken,..and there... Mark and I sat in the delivery suite to wait.


I began to feel some contractions (Finally) and was trying to bear with the pain. (I've opted to go without epidural...Naturral...naturaaall...nat.........URATAL.....URGGHHHHH NATURAL!!!)

Anyway, the midwife (nurse) came in to check on the monitor to realise that there were no contactions traced....lack of contact/ missing info. so she decided to increase the drug dosage to hasten the contractions and hopefully the dilation.

As that happens, a midwife came in to discuss with me on the options to make for pain relief. After 10mins of explanation, (I was experiencing contractions every 2-3mins), I told her to send for the anesthetist IMMEDIATELY! The pain was really unbearable and I could imagine how exhausted I would be after the whole ordeal...where to find the energy to do the PUSH! I told myself that Ceasarian is NEVER gonna be an option at all!

The midwife returned saying that the Anesthetist will be arriving in 20mins time! Heaven! I thought. However, every minute and second seems to be passing by so slowly,.... and was overjoyed to see her.

Ah Hah!! I'm still HOME!!

Not very favourable.... 1cm dilated only. Dr Julianah has no other options for me but to induce labour. Water level is already low, hence not desirable to keep waiting...not very good for Gabriel , I suppose.
After inspection, there were still no signs of contraction (can you believe that?!!)
well, baby's heartbeat is normal and fine though. (Thank God!)

After she inserted the pill (Prostin), she told me to go home or walk around. Pill takes about 4-6 hours to work (Dissolve). oh no! more waiting? sigh.

"Return to Mount Elizabeth at 8pm. We'll check again." She said.

Well, came to mom's place to have a good nap (2 hours). Had a light dinner. almost ready for REAL SHOWTIME!!

next update might be a week later!