On 18th November 2007, i was admitted into KK hospital in Singapore at 1030pm at night on 18th Nov with my cervix dilated at 2cm and after 5 hours at 330am, the dilation was only at 3cm. The contractions came and go, my back was aching like hell and my goodness, i was only dilated 1 more cm. The contractions and the weight on the baby on my back bone was nerve breaking. Worse, the contractions were getting closer to closer and pain was escalating non-stop.

Luckily, i decided to take epidural pain relief. Almost instantly, my lower part of body went about 70% numb. I could even fall asleep from 4am to 7am until my gynae checked on me at around 8am. He told me that my cervix was dilated to about 9cm already and that the pain relief would have to be reduced or stopped so that i be able to go on to my 2nd stage of labour which is the pushing part.

Shortly after the epidural was reduced, the sharp pain of contractions and the ache of my back bone all returned with the pain more unbearable than anything in the world. It was so painful i even wished i had opted for a casaerean birth but my hubby held my hand and told me that all the pain would be over after the baby is out.

From 9am to 12pm, i pushed and pushed but the baby head refuse to come out. With every minute passing, i experienced tremendous pain. If the baby heart beat was to drop, i would then have to go for emergency casaerean. The gynae was very concerned of the safety of both of us and from 12pm, he had 4 more nurses to come help me push the baby out. Everytime when my contractions come, the nurse put her hands on my tummy and pushed the legs of my baby in a downwards direction. This pushing added more physical pain to my already in pain body and i almost gave up.

However, everybody in the room cheered and encouraged me the way as if i was running a marathon, "Just a bit more, you can do it, keep pushing, coming out already..." So, this kept me pushing with as much remaining energy as i have.

At around 1230pm, my gynae decided to use vacuum to suck out the baby head due to prolonged labour. And in merely 15 minutes after that, my baby was finally out with a cry! That was the most happy moment in my life because the pain was finally over and i could see a healthy looking baby right infront of me.

My baby weighed 3.435kg about 7.6pounds, height is 52cm and head circumference 33cm. She was very much bigger and heavier than i thought so. When i carried her, she looked so happy and cute especially when she open her eyes. So, this is how it feels to be a mother and so much pain involved. This experience has made me grow so much because from now on i have to commit myself to taking care of a newborn who demands so much love, care and attention. I have to assume the responsibility of a mother and in the process hopefully become a better person from now onwards.

Learn more about this author, Chee Cai Ching.
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