The birth of Bryant

Our first son, Joshua came at 39 weeks. Therefore for my second pregnancy, doctor advised that the baby could be one week early as well. So in full anticipation, I looked out for signs of labour as soon as I passed 38 weeks. Waited, waited and waited but there was nothing. During my 39th week check-up, doctor did an internal check and pronounced that I was only 1cm dilated. Disappointed I was, and she then asked if I want to be induced by 40 weeks or go overdue. Since the hubby had to fly to Hong Kong for business a week after I hit 40 weeks, we agreed to induce if baby still doesn't want to come out.

The day before I was supposed to be admitted, I felt downward pressure off and on but it did not progress to anything. It just went off and on with no regular interval. I was calm since my MIL was already at our place to care for Joshua and the hospital was a mere 10 minutes away. So we waited till 11pm and went to TMC to be admitted for induction. The nurse inserted a tablet slightly past midnight to dilate my cervix further.

I could hardly sleep as the tablet seemed to have created a stingy feeling down under. The downward pressure that I had been feeling all day seemed to get more intense too. After 5am, this was accompanied by pain and therefore, I called the nurse to tell her that I think it's time. Into the labour ward I went at 6am. I was 4cm dilated. Bravely, I told the nurses that I did not want an epidural, just like my first labour.

The pain was still bearable until doctor came and burst my water bag at around 7:30am. I was 5-6cm dilated then. The pain got worse and I distracted myself with my iPhone. Even managed to call home and talk to my Joshie. Around 8am, the hubs told me he was hungry and was going down to Delifrance to get himself some breakfast. "Breakfast???? You are hungry and I am not? And you just had a cup of Milo not too long ago!!" But my dearest hubby just ignored me and went off, telling me that he would make it real quick.

Not too long after, the pain was really really bad and I felt as though baby was coming out even though I was not pushing. Pushed the button and the nurses came running in. Told them that I think baby was coming out and she did an internal check, telling me it's only 7cm. "What? Only 7cm. Gosh, I do regret not taking epidural now." I was given the gas and taught how to use it. By then the hubby had come out and he started taking pics!!! I glared at him and scolded him. After that, everything seemed to be in a frenzy. The pain was so so so intense. All I could remember was hubby's face right over mine telling me to calm down and the nurses saying "don't push, you will tear". And then finally the doctor told me to give a good push. After 2-3 pushes, my little B came out, at 8:40am =)

At 3.23kg, he is lighter than his brother who was 3.37kg at birth. I really thank God for the smooth and fast delivery =) Much better than my first labour =)