Birth story of #3.. Childbirth made easy

16/10 (Thursday) 37 weeks +2 days 

Antenatal check. Gynae gave green light to wait for another several days as cervix was not open. I actually heave a sigh of relief as I was more keen on completing my work aka attend my student's graduation concert on 18/10 (Saturday). Call me obstinate, call me responsible.. whatever. I was me. That workaholic me wanting to work till the last lap.

18/10 (Saturday) 37 weeks +4 days

Concert came and went smoothly. Ah lao was there to give me moral support. I attended and completed the graduation march down the aisle with my K2s and lil Mr I in my tummy with pride. Thank you parents for ever being so supportive.

21/10 (Tuesday) 38 weeks 2pm

Considered last antenatal check up. Saw Gynae at 2pm and he said,"You are ready to give birth! Cervix is 3 cm dilated!" (so yay or nay?)Both ah lao and I went into this frenzy thing again.. We were like.."what? Now? admit like now?"

Gynae say," ok we will admit you NOW." He did a membrane sweep and said he will burst my waterbag and these will all help speed up labour (read: pain is coming my way). Oh no.. the anxiety thing is coming back all over again. Soon I was happily being directed to the observation ward in the labour ward to "get ready". They had to do the normal procedures which includes asked standard questions about my medical history etc. Ah lao was settling the administrative work for me.

4pm

Surprisingly after about 2 hours... in which time flew past, the nurses were instructed to move me to the labour ward. It was how very strange that day the labour wards were really crowded. Out of the 10 labour wards, there were at least 7-8 labour wards were occupied all at the same time. Yes ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Gynae came and burst the waterbag and announced that I was 5 cm dilated. Yipee!
Soon I had to send ah lao off to fetch his lil girlfriend from school. So I was left ALONE in the labour ward. 

5pm

After about an hour of monitoring, the nurse was unsure again. Gulps* Unsure as she tried to tell me that the results for my BP was bad. It was generally high.. it would be high whenever my contractions came along and these contractions were making my body to be under distress thus making the BP shoot. Averagely 150/100.. you say high or not. The nurse just explained and advised me to take epidural as she said it would help to ease my pain. I was not even hesitating. I did not even wait for ah lao's arrival to decide that I am taking the jab as we had already discussed earlier before this that I would take the jab this time round if necessary. And since the necessary moment has arrived, I just signed on the line. Anaesthetist came and she made the whole experience such a casual affair. I was only suppose to keep still for a mere 2minute and viola! Jab was in the spine and 20minutes later, I could hardly feel any contractions! :D

my drip.

one channel for the drip to induce labour, one for epidural.

ouch.

7pm+
In this period of waiting for ah lao to come back, I only had my best friend (my phone of course) to accompany me. Thank goodness for social media, WA and the supportive team of nurses who took very good care of me during this long wait. Since my previous experience with Dora's birth was not such a pleasant one, I could not help but had to reiterate that I do not want to give birth unassisted again. The team of nurses were very kind and even commented that she had to "watch me like a hawk". Nurse Daphne, thank you for your kind and affirmative words. They made me feel so assured that I was in good hands.
Bu still it was quite an ardous wait because.. because ah lao finally arrived at 7pm+ with dinner of course. And I was so hungry. But the pain somehow took away the appetite as I rem I merely took less than 5 mouthful of the beehoon soup that ah lao packed for me.

8pm+
I could not take the pain anymore. I told my nurse and prob this lady PH doctor who was prob the standby doctor on shift that I feel like passing motion. Hmm ok.. if you know me, I always describe childbirth as almost the same feel as doing the big business but just that it is of a different target area. The PH Dr was literally standing by in front of as my very tight and close contractions came. She knew baby was on the way and they had to call the gynae. Soon after, gynae arrived at about 820pm. So there was this continuous commotion about gynae asking me to push and not to push at certain moments. They even joke that baby was so ready to come out that they could feel that baby can slide out even when I was just breathing. You seriously need humour in the labour ward, trust me.

So when the moment came, I remembered very clearly that I only did one final push. Then when I opened my eyes, all I saw was this beautiful baby on top of my tummy.

10pm+

I was pushed back to the ward. And conclusion about this whole childbirth: I finally believe in epidural is such a godsend!

My littlest again. So angelic.

Ray papa with the latest member in our family.

Did they say 5 is the new black?

Me and didi in the car, on the way home.

There you go, my (most prob) last birth story. 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. But thank you TMC for providing me with a very good and comfortable stay, if not for your hefty bills.

Kiddos' first pony ride at Punggol Gallop Stable Pony Riding Ranch..

If you have been wanting to go the Punggol Horse Riding Ranch, you should! Cos Isa and Dora have had such much fun! Just a gentle reminder: please rem to purchase a ticket ($10) from the main office in order for the child to take the pony ride. And be ready for sandfly and mozzie bites.

While waiting for our turn to take the pony ride, there was another pony behind the fences in which you could buy a packet of carrots (from the shop nearby) to feed them.

Ok Dora was quite afraid of the sounds the pony was making.

While waiting for our turns, Mama could not help but take a pic of the kiddos!

Papa and the kiddos in action!

Needless to say, the 7yo was pretty independent.

And the the 2yo cant wait for her turn.

Coming back! See the earnest look on his face!

Next better jockey pls!

Giving the ticket to the man in charge.

Feet position was important.

The man in charge actually advised Ray papa to follow Dora along.

It seems like Dora is trying to say,

"Don't worry! I am doing fine, Mama!"

Can you see she was trying to wave at me?

Another confident position.

How this rocking swing makes me reminisce about my childhood as we had a similar one in the kampong I used to stay.

Post riding treat: ice cream!

A very adventurous day indeed.

No, the ice cream did not drop on the childseat, we only some stains on her t-shirt.

2014 Labour Day weekend..

Ray papa believes we should let Isa enjoys and relax his mind though tests are around the corner. Here is how we spent our Labour day weekend: swim date, birthday party, BBQ.. etc

Dora with her new swimming float.

We were heading to J's 4th birthday party at Aloha Loyang chalet.

First time to the pool and the kids were having a whale of their time.

Ms PR waving wildly to her little friends..

And got photobombed by some big-guy-out-there.

The next day we went to Changi Seaview Resort for a good catch up session with my best friend and her family.

Isa and my best friend's elder boy, M.

Dora exploring some of the toys that Uncle PK brought along to the chalet.

We had so much fun but Dora had to burn her fingers. She gotten her skin around her thumb a little charred as she got so excited that she held on to the fire sparkler, even after it stopped burning. Apparently the temperature on the stick was still quite high. oh well kids.

After this weekend of play and relaxation, I hope Isa will pull up his socks a little and get perked up for the bite size assessments that are coming ahead. 

10 year anniversary Part 2: Happy Valentine's Day and our yesteryears..

It was not by chance that we started dating way back in 1999.  Long story cut short, I got to know Ray papa thru a few common friends. I was 18 and he was 21.

Late 1999

5 years later, 06 May 2004.

Pre wedding shoots done in mid 2005.

Our AD in 26 December 2005.

I am so grateful for this special Valentine in my life.

Come back to see how we are going to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

Linking up with J Babies'

Airforce Family Day 2014..

We have always been fans of Open House and Family Day organised by the SAF. Read more on our experience at the Army Open House in 2012. For today's:

Date: 8 February 2014

Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre

What: Airforce Family Day 2014

Time: 9am - 12pm (AM Session), 2pm-5pm (PM Session)

Highlight: Sneak preview of the Singapore Airshow 2014 

Of recent, I have been having aches at my ankles. Think I have been wearing too much of flip flops. Guess today is a good time to commission my new pair of Hello Kitty loafers.

Us in the shuttle service.

There is a free shuttle service that will pick you either from Pasir Ris MRT (the bus stop behind the interchange) or Expo MRT. We took the former so we parked our car at the public car park nearby and then we took this service. Hearsay you can also drive in but you might need special pass to do so. Else you can also take a taxi in as there are alighting points available.

Us while waiting for bus to move off.

Here we are!

And just in case if you are confused, today is actually the Airforce Family Day in which is only opened to invited guests.

The Singapore Airshow 2014 is actually on next week 15-16 February 2014. If you wish to purchase the tickets, please visit here.*

Omg the glaring sun.

Time checked: 1020am

Air show just started!!

So we stood and watched while we stood under the sheltered area.

And the noise pollution was very high.

A short video of the Black Knights in action.

Love this simple pic with Ray papa.

Isa was literally covering his ears through the Air Show showcase section.

As we got a little impatient with the merciless sun, we started walking into the exhibition area.

Here was the crowd who were sitting at the open space area. It is definitely a good spot to watch the airshow showcase but I think my eardrums will hate me for doing that. 

See what I mean, he was still holding on to his ears.

The games area where Isa and Ray papa had a go at the mini pool table.

 

The static display area.

One of my favourite photo of the day.

At the entrance of the indoor exhibtion area.

Isa with one of the NSF having his go at the Air Combat Game - using Xbox games as a stimulator, everybody will be interested to have a go!

Today, Isa said he wants to be pilot when he grow up.

Que sera sera.

And I seriously dunno what is so interesting about the missile.

And if you are ever moved by the exhibition, maybe you would want to have some coffee with the career advisors at the exhibition.

Very soon, we have come to the end of the session at the Airforce Family Day 2014. It was already 1230pm when it was announced that we need to leave the premises.

This caught my eye. Hearsay these cars will be sold at 30% from the original price after the exhibition. 

Anyone fancy a beemer?

I would not mind.

We had a wonderful day at Airforce Family Day 2014 and we had to rush for our movie date with Isa. To the Lego movie we go!

#Disclamer: Rayconniebaby is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Singapore Air Show 2014 though we have special invites to the Airforce Family Day 2014 event.