Part 3: The possibility of a Ceaserean

2.30-4.30 pm:

Syntocin was restarted and I started to feel the contractions again. The nurses kept on checking on me and evaluating my pain level thru what is known as a pain score where 10 is the “worst possible pain imagined” and 0 means no pain experienced. While contractions without the epidural had the pain score of 10, pain without the epidural ranged between 4-8. The medicine was titrated according to my pain levels and it had to be lowered if the baby had episodes of low heartbeat which happened occasionally but very transiently and was a sign of distress. Dr Lim the anaesthetist popped by so many times, she was watching the baby’s heartbeat on a monitor outside.

 

We chatted some more. I asked her how long she has been doing anaesthesia. I found out that she was a consultant, which is a senior doctor and was surprised that she was around on a Saturday afternoon.  She made sure I always knew she was around and popped by as soon as I pressed the call button by the bedside so there was never a moment I was in agonizing pain.

 

I felt time was passing really slowly, and honestly I was not that keen in experiencing more pain. I used the Ethonox gas to tide me over the contractions. But secretly I enjoyed the woozy feeling as it made me relaxed and even asleep at times. H was concerned I was “overdosing” on the gas which he called my “shisha” or hooka as its otherwise known. He tried to coax me to stop using it pleading with me jokingly to leave some for him. I asked Dr LIm if I could overdose on the gas and she said no, as when I get sleepy after having lots of it, I’ll naturally stop inhaling.

 

All the time throughout my labor, I was hungry and thirsty. During the early part of my labor, I had sent H down to 7-11 the convenience store to get me some chocolates, juice and milk. Eventhough I was strictly not allowed to eat and only allowed plain water, I had been getting H to pour me milk. I ate a couple of Malteasers and hid a packet under my blanket. H did not seem too bothered. I thought to myself, if first labors were going to last up to 2 days, I needed strength to push at the end. I knew the 2nd part of labor, the pushing part could last 2 hrs

 

to be cont

Its a Friday..

Just had another 2 hour night sleep. I counted the times I was awakened and it was 8. 8 times with Braxton Hicks, toilet breaks and general discomfort. I still have next week to go.

 

Meanwhile, I’m fighting with the computer system trying to claim my maternity outpatient claims from my employer and its frustrating. On a happier note, my part time contract is being written up for when I come back from maternity leave next year. Part time work is hardly heard of around here considering I’m bonded with the government post medical school for 6 years and I’m also bound by traineeship rules having signed up in a specialist program. But well, it does seem like anything is possible, just look very hard and pray! One more week of work to go. I hope I can last thru it. I don’t know how I can survive more 2 hour sleep nights, I’ve had 3 of them in a row.

 

Meanwhile thanks Yati for the CD and books..! Now all I have to get thru is labor.

Blog break

It will be a couple of weeks till the start of my maternity leave and an exciting new phase in our lives. I will leave this space for a while. Perhaps I’ll be back when I’m on leave, perhaps a little longer than that..

 

 

Meanwhile, for my Muslim friends, Ramadan Mubarak!

Tea for two

Dear Friends,

Aren’t these cups gorgeous? They were part of a set that included this plate which held baba ghanoush from Liz and Farah. We had tea after our usual Sunday morning fry-up in the balcony. On H’s towel which was on the table sunning. Obviously we do not mind drinking tea on used towels.

 

Anyway, due to your overwhelming generosity, my kitchen cupboards are full of kitchenware and I love and appreciate every single piece. However H is starting to make a little bit of noise as my kitchen equipment has started to creep into the storeroom and things are starting to look a little packed in our small flat.

 

Our little baby room is also starting to fill up with an overenthuisastic grandmother to be and lovely lovely gifts from friends (thank you!!!). Our little girl will soon get to wear over 100 pieces of clothing, I kid you not.

 

Thank you for your generosity. We are happy to announce that our kitchen is complete and so are clothes for our baby. We would appreciate books and toys instead if you would like to spoil our little one.

 

Love,

Farhan and H

For the unsung hero

Friends who visit this blog often exclaim how lucky H is to enjoy all the good food that’s churned out. Little to they know that I’m far from domesticated. Dinner can simply be cutting a baguette, toasting the slices, putting on a slap of mayo, a slice of brie, some smoked salmon and slices of tomato. Then served with some simply dressed salad leaves. Its simple.

H on the other hand, does most of the unglamourous work of keeping this household running. I get someone to do the laundry but he does the ironing, he vacuums, he cleans the toilets, he maintains our household plants, he takes out the trash, he changes the bedsheets, he carries loads of groceries, he sets the table for the meal, he sets the alarm clock, he wakes up first to switch on the heater, he mops, he wipes, he cleans. Well, its not exactly 50-50 here. I guess one thing that we both don’t forget to do, is to say thank you. Thanks for the wonderful meal, thanks for cleaning up, thanks for sending me to work (oh he’s the designated driver too) thanks for just being you.