Louise's Birth Story

Documenting the arrival of our little pumpkin, Louise Chang Yunxi.

I was planning to work until I went into labour but eventually changed my mind after our gynae appointment on 24 June @ week 39 cause (1) she was back to breech position after gynae performed an external cephalic version (ECV) a week before that, (2) the ultrasound scan estimated her weight to be 3.9kg, (3) my cervix wasn't opened (no signs of labour anytime soon). When we realissed Louise went back to breech, he said we need to discuss our birth plan. He offered 3 options - hope her head is down when labour starts, natural breech delivery or c-sect, both sounded so scary to me though I was mentally prepared for natural breech delivery. I asked our gynae if it was possible to induce immediately after he performed a ECV, he said it's possible but only if my cervix was open. Our next appointment was scheduled 3 days later to see if Louise returns to breech position. 

After some serious thoughts, I decided to rest at home from 29 June onwards cause I might choose to deliver on 27 June. Got the approval from my boss and sent the following image to my colleagues after office hours on my last working day so that it'd be easier to say goodbye for awhile. 

No, I didn't give birth on 27 June. Louise's head was still down south and we decided to wait for labour to happen naturally. I was advised to sleep only on my right side with a pillow supporting my tummy to prevent this lady's head from coming back up. It was tough for me cause I usually sleep on my left.

Every night I went into bed hoping labour will happen like Colin's birth. Every morning I woke up without contractions. Haha. Let's just say, the wait... was indeed.. long, especially when I wasn't working. Is today the day? When will I go into labour? How will labour start? Why is my tummy so heavy? Are my feet getting more bloated? My questions were aplenty.

So here's what happened in the end.

5 July 2015, Sunday
Woke up feeling extremely tired, so tired I dozed off on the rocking chair. We were pretty convinced that Louise won't be making her appearance so soon so Daddy signed up for a weekend course. He was such a sweetie to keep asking me for my status.

1st Pregnant Women (PW) status check:

In fact the discharged started in the morning but I wanted to monitor before informing him.

2nd PW status check:

The contractions started around 1pm but it was too random. I drove my mum to Toa Payoh, then to Loyang Way to look for something amidst that randomness and got home at 3plus. The contractions were too hard not to be noticed anymore so I finally started timing my contractions with an andriod app called "Full Term". It's easy to operate, just tap the app during the start and end of contractions. The app will calculate duration and frequency of all my contractions.

3rd PW status check from hubs came in..

I'm pretty much sure I was in early stage of labour. Just thinking when's the best time to head to hospital. Ideally in active labour but before the pain gets unbearable, and must be in time to take epidural.

Here's my consolidated list of contractions before I headed to hospital. It started off with low intensity pain level (1 green cube) for 30 seconds every 10 to 20 minutes. I kept quiet about my contractions until after dinner. I broke the news to hubs by telling him I had 4 contractions during dinner and nobody noticed. :D

Things sped up after dinner. I stood most of the time to aid Louise's descend. I kept drinking water and visiting the loo. The contractions were getting more painful (3 cubes) and frequent.. about 3-7 minutes apart. By then I had to stop whatever I was doing to ride through that minute.

At 10pm, I asked my mum if she could let Colin sleep that with them that night cause I had a feeling this could be it! Then told hubs to get some rest before we head to the hospital (no idea what time we would be leaving). Meanwhile I tried to rest too, tried. My mum sensed that something was amiss and popped by our room to check on me at midnight. She caught me looking at my phone (I was timing my contraction), I brushed her off saying I'm reading something and will sleep shortly. In reality, I was in too much pain to sleep.

Contraction Tracking by Full Term App

6 July 2015, Monday
When the pain intensity hit 4 cubes at 1.32am, I decided it was time to head to the hospital. My very suspicious mum caught us leaving the house at 2am.

I was in Thomson Medical Centre's Labour Ward Room 5 by 2.25am. They got me to change into gown and did a vaginal examination (VE). "3cm, enfaced!". Proceed to inform our gynae, Dr. Paul Tseng, that I was in labour. I asked for epidural immediately. The anaesthetist, Dr. Phillip Tseng (gynae's brother), wasn't available and probably couldn't make it back in time for me so they recommended someone else. I was a little disappointed, but really, anything to ease the pain!

Life was back to comfort after the epidural took effect. VE was done at 7plus and I was 5cm dilated. While the nurse was poking around, my water bag burst and I heard the water gushing out! I let out a sigh of relief when she assured me that Louise's head was down.

At 9.45am, I was 8cm dilated. We were hoping for Louise to see the world before 11am so the nurse said it's possible, they'll do another VE at 10.15am to see how far along Louise was. The nurse told me to inform them when I felt the urge to poo which I didn't recall sensing it in my previous birth. It was too early to tell if it would be the same, so I waited..and waited, no urge to poo. When they came in to check on me again, I decided to inform the nurses that I've never felt it before. The nurses back then just asked me to push Colin out. Though surprised, they asked me to try pushing Louise out and she crowned! Everyone in the room was delighted. They proceeded to inform Dr. Paul to come down for delivery.

Time zoomed by after Dr Paul got into the labour ward. Put on his gown, gloves and the pushing started. Okay, deep breath in, push~ doing great! pushing very well. Rest. laughs at something the nurse said.. Another push! Wait wait, hold! Okay, push!! Push!! PUSH!! Out came our little girl.

"Wow! Big baby, maybe around 4.5kg", said Dr. Paul.
"4.535kg!", the nurse confirmed.

Welcome to our family, Louise Chang.

Caught a series of virus

Morning of 27 January 2013 (Sunday), I had a bad feeling when I saw "Mummy" flashed on my mobile phone screen. Call it 6th sense? My mum told me Colin was running a fever. His normally chilled arms and legs were hot to touch during his sleep. The night before, Colin woke up many times, crying for comfort.

Sidetrack a little: I think I was the one who passed the fever to Colin cause I was feeling under the weather that week and spent whole Saturday with Colin. Plus we drank from the same bottle that morning before I felt really unwell. Guilty as charged.

Anyway, we monitored Colin's fever closely, sponged him constantly and administered paracetemol when his temperature climbed to 37.8degC. On the third day, we finally brought him to Dr. Gwee from My Family Clinic (Punggol). She said nothing serious, asked us to continue monitoring. Around this time, Colin started coughing occasionally. Doctor Gwee said people don't cough for nothing; no cough is random. We didn't take her comments seriously...until....

The next day, thank God his fever was gone, but he caught a cough and runny nose, probably from my mum, whom had been coughing for 2 weeks. His appetite was affected during this period. It was hard to drink with a blocked nose. He cried and cried, frustrated hungry little fellow. We brought him to the doctor again and was given nasal drops to reduce phlegm and Sterima nasal spray to clear his blocked nose.

It was war with Colin when we tried to administer both nasal medication. He would turn away, display his unhappiness vocally and brush our hands away from his face.

It was so bad his food will came out along with his cough. :(

A week later, cough gone.. but his poo ran loose, for as many as 4 times a day. We stopped giving him Friso Comfort (for his constipation). Had to go to the doctor the third time after 3 days of runny poo. Doctor said it should be viral. Gave us probiotics which lasted 10 days. Meanwhile we had to dilute his milk by 50% (which means 3 scoops of powder to 180ml of water instead of 6 scoops). Colin's butt was red and obviously very sore due to frequent bowel movements. He cried and cried in discomfort each time he pooed, unwillingly.

We went back to doctor after 10days cause he still had diarrhea. Given another 10days of probiotics. We also decided to switch from Karihome Goat's milk to Friso Soy milk and viola! No more diarrhea! He is still on soy now but we are slowly changing back to Goat's by adding a scoop of goat's every 2 weeks. His weight is back to almost 11kg!

This viral episode caused Colin to lose a few kgs. His michelin looking folds on arms were gone and cheeks were deflated (saw his dimples clearly for the first time). His night routine changed as well. My parents suffered many sleepless nights so that we could rest and concentrate at work. We were very grateful for their help. I have no idea how we would have cope without them!

As a chinese saying goes "家有一老如有一宝", which means having an elderly at home akin a treasure.

I'm thankful for a healthy baby. :)

Walking baby

I haven't been updating! Life has been busy with the little one. I will try to recall Colin's firsts and update at a later time..

So we went on a trip from 30 March to 6 April 2013 without Colin... and came home to a 10 month old walking baby! :)

My brother uploaded the video onto facebook for us while we were in Hong Kong.

This milestone was not surprising at all cause Colin loved standing. He first pulled himself to standing position in his cot on 23 December 2012, at 6+ months old, right after our staycation in Grand Park Orchard Hotel.

Now Colin prefers walking to being carried, unless he feels stressed in a new environment. Way to go baby boy!

Life is getting busier with a baby inspecting the house.. chasing cats... touching anything and everthing!

 

And you know what? His 2 front teeth are out too! We departed Singapore with his left front tooth halfway out.

First fall

What happened to your usual wake up cry today? You woke up silently and crawl over a big fat pillow and fell off our bed. I came into the room and shouted to daddy "Baby fell!!" the moment I couldn't see you on the bed. Daddy rushed in immediately too!

Spotted you faced down on daddy's side of the bed and hurriedly scooped you up with an achy heart. You cried and cried for the first time. Took me a few minutes to calm you..

Glad to see your happy self when you stood on your own feet (we can never understand why you love standing so much).

So this was your first fall, and many more to come. You are growing up so fast dear Colin. We love you, always.

Your 80th

I hope you will live till 80 years, and beyond. But for now, you need to cross your 80th (800th, 8000th...) day on earth.

You weighed 6.9kg. Many whom carried you said their arms were tired. But they all loved you the same and still carried you anyway. :)

Daddy and mummy sometimes fought over who should feed you, pacify you to sleep, and keep you entertained. Many more fights to come - fights that will only bring us closer as a family. We love you, always.

抱抱

抱抱, which means carry/hug in chinese, is often said together with a clap, follow by opening of arms to indicate a carry action.

It's sort of like a sign language to ask baby if he/she wants to be carried by the person doing the action.

Today, my mum did the action while Colin was being carried (in an upright position) by my dad. To our surprise, Colin turned his body around and stretched out his arms towards my mum!! Our jaws dropped; stunned at what just happened.

Was it coincidence? Or did he understand the action?

I prefer the latter. Heee. So this marks the first time Colin understood the 抱抱 action/sign.

We should have a pee and poo action too. :)

Here's a picture of him today! 70 days young!

Baby Diary 2

Happy 2 months Colin boy! See how much you've grown in a month!


Length: 60cm
Weight: 6.1kg

Milestones this month:
- You said 'Hello' to us

- Smiled more generously



- Found a new friend Mickey mouse



- Neck got stronger; no problem lifting your head off the bed, turned left and right



- Enjoyed sleeping on tummy time mat (gift from daddy), sometimes smiling too.






- Enjoyed hitting the elephant, hoping it would respond to you.



- Fingers received more fresh air. But as a result, you scratched your left eye area a few times.

- Got better with your exercise gym



- Liked being held upright

- Slept through the night 10pm-6am in your cot

- Had fun kicking in the sarong


- Went out with us to Novena Sq 2.

- Cried when we placed you in a meducca carrier

- Eyelashes grown longer



- Conquered your jaundice


- Outgrown some rompers



- Got cheeky and learnt to stick out tongue, drooled a lot too.


- Grown chubbier and still growing.






- Fell asleep yourself



Hope these 2 months were wonderful for you. We love you!

Hello!

I was seating beside his cot, looking at him quietly, waiting for him to settle down after startling himself awake. Next thing I knew, he looked into my eyes, smiled (with the pacifier in his mouth) and said "Hello".

Awwwwww... My heart melted instantly. Colin is soooooo cute!

Sarong

First time in sarong! Grandpa and grandma said this will make you sleep better.

First asleep

You are growing up so fast! Today was the first time you drifted to lala land by yourself in your own cot without us cuddling you. Yes, you did ask for some attention but eventually slept on your own! We hope this wont be the last time.. :)

Here's a picture of you sleeping comfortably!

Citizen of Singapore

We finally headed down to ICA and registered Colin's birth (daddy forgot his NRIC the last time we went)!

Have we mentioned his full name?
Colin Chang Renjie (Zhang Renjie)
张仁杰

Coincidentally, his NRIC ends with alphabet C!

Welcome to Singapore, Colin. :)) We hope you will enjoy your century long stay here.

Little note to Colin

Dear Colin,

You didn't sleep much today. You cried for grandma Kam, mummy and daddy to cuddle you the whole day, only to doze off in our arms then woke up when we place you down. Hope you are feeling all right.

Try get a good rest on our bed tonight!

Love,
Daddy & Mummy

Baby Diary 1

Week 1, you....
Woke us up often, like every hour, for precious milk.
Cried for unlimited carrying and rocking.
Was pacified by pacifier when you were 4 day old (we were amused by your sucking power).
Slept like a baby.


Week 2, you....
Spent almost half a week under artificial sun (phototherapy) for your jaundice.
Cried loudly for carrying all day.
Started sleeping through the night, waking up only for feeds at 12am, 3am and 6am.
Sang in your own language.


Week 3, you....
Started having lots of nose dirt.
Wailed for our attention to carry you.
Enjoyed a new way of sleeping.
Had a hard time sleeping during the day.
Smiled. :)


Week 4, you....
Still had a hard time sleeping in the day.
Started to make your carrier's arm tired faster.
Wailed loudly and faked cries for carrying.
Threw tantrums - refused feedings!
Stuck out your tongue and played with your saliva.


Time flies. It's been a month of parenthood for us.

Happy full month our dear baby boy. May you continue to grow longer(taller), healthier and smarter! Daddy and Mummy loves you.

Before and after

I miss being pregnant.. Having a life inside me felt amazing. His kicks, punches and hiccups were a constant reminder of life's miracles. I would say that the 41 week journey was filled with mainly excitement, joy and anxiety. I'm thankful morning sickness wasn't a friend of our pregnancy! Haa.

Will he be enstrangled by the umbilical cord? Have 10 fingers and toes? Cleft lips? Normal ears? Healthy? Look like daddy or mummy? Tall? Short? Smart? These were just some of the questions I had in my mind.

Now that Colin is out, our once peaceful world has been conquered by baby cries, milk, pee, shit and interrupted nights. Really thankful our nights aren't exactly sleepless because Colin nurses quite routinely at 12am, 3am and 6am since week 2. So we get some sleep if Colin sleeps immediately after his feeds. Hope it stays that way :D Of course, on some nights he just wanna be cuddled or sleeping with us.

Our cute little sticky cheeky boy!