On 20th March 2023, we welcomed little Anya into our lives <3 I was scheduled for a C-section on 22nd March due to my history of fits (usually triggered by pain or alcohol) but Anya had other plans. At 12am on 20th March, I had the bloody show and 5 min contractions began. I was surprised as I thought contractions always started out more spaced apart. We hurried to complete packing the hospital bags. By 2am, the pain had gotten more intense and we headed to KKH. At 3am, I was 3cm dilated and soon after the check, my water bag burst. It was a strange feeling, like a giant gush of warm liquid timed together with a sharp contraction. I refused the emergency C-section option as it would mean that James couldn't be with me during the birthing process. Anyway, it took quite a while for James to process the paperwork before I was pushed into a delivery room. |
We tried our best to catch some sleep and conserve energy. It was only at 1+pm that I was fully dilated. Started pushing at around 2.30pm and Dr Ee came in to deliver our baby. Everyone was very encouraging and James kept his sanity together too. Anya was out at around 3pm =) I was incredibly light-headed from holding my breath continuously multiple times while pushing. Everything thereafter felt surreal and dream-like. James got to cut her umbilical cord, and Anya was weighed and washed while Dr Ee sewed me up for my second degree tear. Anya was then placed on my chest and she soon began to suckle. For an hour! We were then later transferred to our private ward.
Off the epidural, the soreness from the tear below was real. I was ultra thankful for the cooling pads. The nurses in the ward were all so incredibly helpful, I couldn't be gladder that we chose to have our baby at KKH.
Thinking back, I think all the apprehension and fear of a lifestyle change and losing my personal life kinda of ebbed away when I carried little Anya. Suddenly, it felt like I had a greater mission; something to protect, love and care for. It's probably the hormones speaking, who knows? But I'm glad I was able to accept Anya easily into my life. Ending off, here's a little compilation of Anya's growth and progress from a tiny little blastocyst conceived through IVF, till she was delivered at 39 weeks and 1 day. Looking forward to celebrating more milestones with our child together with hubby <3 |