Emily

Ok, so...it has been a little over a week now since the babe arrived. But frankly, I only had her for about a week because Emily had to extend her stay at the hospital for an additional 2 days to treat her jaundice; doctor's orders. She's ok now which is good.

As for me, I am doing ok I guess. I can't say I love waking up at odd hours of the night or someone emptying my 'juice bars' every now and then. But, it's one of those things you know...you just gotta do it. Oh I'm not exclusively breast-feeding..still got to supplement with formula.

So, anyway, lets back-track a little because Emily came a tad bit too early. And we were all un-prepared for her arrival as we thought we had one more week to get some last minute baby stuff done (and making sure I have sufficient flash memory for my equipment).

After the false alarm, I thought nothing of it. I went about doing my thing as usual – kicking up my heels and relax heheh...That night however, I had a bloody show. Wow!! I started to panick a little. Still no contractions. Well, not the ones that I am accustomed to. So, I thought “sleep on it and if when I wake, if the show continues, I will head down to see my gynea”.

True enough, the next day, I got another bout of bloody show with no known contractions. I still took my own sweet time. Read the news, made myself a nice breakfast and even chatted with hubby online. I even joked with hubby that if my gynea sees me, the first thing he'd say to me is “you want to induce?”. But I knew I could hold off any longer. I called the nurse, made a appointment (actually, what she said was “come now ah, doctor not in afternoon”).

So, I went in around 12 noon. Did a VE and said “you are 20%”. Why must he be so mathematical? What the heck is 20% anyway? Then again, 20% or 2cm makes no difference to me because they are such low numbers. I was hoping that if I was indeed in labour, I would have at least been 4cm right? Nope but I was spot on on what he'd say...“do you want to admit tonight?”. I looked at him speechless. I told him “no” and a million things ran across my mind “hospital bag not packed, bottles not sterilised, mattress not sun, credit card statement due, one more weekend of pigging out at moms, haven't had my korean bbq etc...”.

My gynea, knowing how relentless he is, said “ok, how about tomorrow morning?”. Again I looked at him, speechless...and he continued “you have to give birth some day you know” “what if you are in pain for days?” “Nevermind, you come in tomorrow morning at 8am, my nurse will book the room. We will put you on drips.” OK, like that is supposed to make me feel better.

After that, I drove to my mom's house, and told her that it may be time soon. And she'd have to help me get the stuff needed for my confinement. I think it was then that I felt the contractions. Not hard just fleeting but you can definitely feel it. No sweat. I can handle this. Not bad after all.

I went home after lunch at my mom's place. I started packing my hospital bag in a frenzy. Took out the bottles. And went to bed in an attempt to rest, sleep, do whatever to relax. I couldn't cos my heart was racing and my mind was full. I got up, still with the mild contractions, went and watered the plants outside. Fed the fishes and realised that 2 fishes have died. Bummer.

As soon as hubby came home, we drove to my MIL to have dinner and pick Ashley up. Or so I thought was in that order. Yes, we did have dinner and hubby drove home with Ashley. I stayed back at MIL's cos I couldn't move. The contractions came harder. While lying in bed, I actually heard a pop and my water-bag broke. Uh-uh...this is really it! My MIL was in a more panic state than I was. She was “oh no, I won't know how to deliver a baby”??? She hurried my FIL to get dressed to drive me to the hospital. But instead I assured her that the baby would not be making her way out any time soon. I then called my hubby to turn back and he did.

To be continued....