But...
I do have a VERY VERY GOOD excuse.
My stupid Acer laptop keeps shutting down on me. I'd be using it halfway and the screen would go black. How irritating can it be?? Anyway, I've now resorted to using GG's laptop. That is, until I get my new one!
So... the birth story.
It was pretty dramatic considering that I had two relatively easy pregnancies.
On 27 August, Wednesday, my parents and the kids came to visit as usual. And it was on that day that Jared made the 'prediction' of Cadence's birth weight. So while I was happily chatting away with the kids, Dr Sim came by for my routine checkup. I think it was about 3.30pm.
So there I was on the bed, telling her about how Cadence was moving quite a lot and such. She put her hands on my tummy, felt around and said 'I think we cannot wait much longer. I may have to deliver you in the next 48 hours.' OK... I can do that. At least I was prepared. Then... she put her hands on my tummy again, pressed it around, looked at the CTG result and said 'No, I think I'll have to deliver you later.'
What???!?!?!
I wasn't prepared the least. I mean, I hadn't even thought of a Chinese name for Cadence yet!!!
I honestly was very very ill-prepared because for the previous two births, what I did was to select a date, then pack my bags prior and on the day itself, stroll into the hospital and wait around to have the operation. And there I was, in total shock from hearing that I had to go for the operation in 2 hours time!
My reply to Dr Sim's words was only 'Orh'.
After regaining some composure, I tried again.
Here's a simple transcript of our short conversation:
Me: We can't like wait until next week?
Dr: I don't want to be unable to give you a baby.
Me: Orh... (in more shock)
Just before she left, she told the nurse to go and book a slot for the OT and the earliest available was 5.30pm... So that left me like 2 hours to be prepared.
After Dr Sim left, my parents came back in and they were as shocked that I had to deliver on the day itself. But my parents were rather worried about my complication since Dr Sim told them I could DIE, so they were like better that I deliver soon.
The next thing was to contact GG.
I called him on his mobile but I wasn't really expecting him to pick up coz I knew he was in a class. And I didn't know the number to his school... The best I could do then was to leave him a message 'URGENT. PLEASE COME HOSPITAL ASAP'.
Strangely though... I picked up my mobile and got connected to the MSN so that I could inform my MSN kakis!
So after breaking the shocking news to them, they were rather frantic as well. Then asked if I had managed to contact GG. To which I really hadn't been able to. So Kei asked me which school he was in, and she googled his school on the web, then called his school for me!!!
Kei said when she called the school, she told the receptionist that Gregory Goh's wife was in labour and told her to inform him ASAP. The ever helpful receptionist in school then made a Public Announcement over the school's PA system and told GG to go to the General Office immediately.
Thankfully I kinda warned him beforehand to expect the unexpected so while having lesson halfway and upon hearing the message, he quickly went to his mobile phone and saw the missed call from me and the URGENT message I sent him. He told his students he had to go off, packed, went to the GO then called me back.
By the time I managed to speak to GG, it was already about 4.10pm. He asked me if he should come to the hospital right away or go home first. Luckily he mentioned it coz I wouldn't wanna miss recording Cadence's birth or not be able to take any videos or photos of her. So I told him to go back home to pack the essential digital stuff and also my nursing tops and disposable underwear.
On his way home, he messaged me and asked what I thought of the name 'Kai Xuan'. I must say that initially, I didn't think much of it. It was only after I delivered then I started to think that 'Kai xuan' is such a meaningful and apt name for Cadence. Coz after her discharge from home, we can celebrate 'Kai xuan gui lai'! (A triumphant victory/return). Befitting right??? He was smart to think of the name. But I hardly think he knew the meaning.
So anyway, I was to be pushed into the OT by 5pm and by 4.45pm, there was still no signs of GG. He only reached at 4.50pm. At least there was some time to spare.
Shortly after I changed and showered, I had to go into the OT. While being pushed to the OT, I once again (as did previous times) cried and told GG to say a little prayer for me and Cadence. I think he wanted to console me and allay my fears. But it kinda turned out sounding wrong...
Me: I'm so scared. *sniff sniff*
GG: Aiyah, nothing to be scared lah. Third time already.
Me: *rolled eyes*
YA!!! I KNOW IT'S THE THIRD TIME! Precisely why I'm so darn frightened coz I know of the pain that's coming MY way!!! NOT HIS!!!
Anyway, he probably was just as nervous so I didn't make a fuss of that.
In the OT, operation didn't start promptly coz Dr Sim did not want to proceed until Cadence's PD was there (Dr Kumar from KinderClinic: he's the PD for all three kids).
Once I was given the anaesthetic, I was knocked out and Cadence was born at 1808hrs.
GG told me he didn't wait long this time. The only difference is this time round, he wasn't able to hold Cadence in his arms immediately coz she was put in this breather thing to help her breathe. But he did say that she was wailing pretty loud and clear. Shortly after he saw her, she was brought away to NICU. At least he was there to accompany her.
That's ugly me! Texting away informing friends about me going away for op.
Cadence crying away after she was delivered.
She couldn't even be cleaned up of all that goo and had to be put in the case so that oxygen can be given to her. The tube in her nose stayed there for about 10 days before it was removed. It goes all the way into her stomach and in the initial days of her birth, she was tube fed.
Finally quiet after the bout of crying.
After I was awake from surgery, I couldn't see or hold Cadence in my arms coz she was in NICU and I was on the drip and catheter. I only saw her on day 2. And even then, I could only touch her coz she was hooked up to all those things on the machine. Quite a painful sight and the worst thing was to see that she had needles in her tiny hand...
That's me post surgery and the first time I touched her. Couldn't carry her though. Tiny isn't she?
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