On 06th February 2011, 12.26pm SGT, Mateen Aqeil Izz became the newest member of our family. He weighs 3.305 kg and measured at 51cm in length. To be honest, I wasn’t really prepared for his birth this week despite signs that he will be arriving anytime soon. But nonetheless, I am thankful that he did.
Me and my baby, Mateen Aqeil Izz
Comparing this birth to that of my previous ones, I can honestly say, this one is as tough as the ones I endured when birthing my firstborn (Misha) and second-born (Mika). I prefer the labour I had with Anaqi, despite not given any anesthesia at that time. (read here on Anaqi’s labour story: http://aprima.org/2009/05/18/welcome-to-the-world-mirza-anaqi/ )
Based on my experience, going au naturale is the way to go. No induce. No drips. You WILL feel maximum pain BUT it will be a fast, non-draggy one, as opposed to being induced. Many would say, after the third, the fourth labour should be quick and easy. Well, not quite.
I was already timing my contractions from the night before (05th Feb) around 11pm SGT. Since the pattern was irregular, I never thought I would be admitted in the wee hours of the next morning. It was when I had trouble sleeping, and kept tossing and turning in bed uncomfortably that I asked P to send me to the hospital to see if I’m already dilated. It was already around 4.45am SGT at that time. True enough, I was already 4cm dilated, and had to remain in the labour ward.
By 8am SGT, my contractions were still irregular and Dr Heng called up one of the midwives and ordered her to give me “the drip” so I will dilate quicker. The dosage started from 80mL/h to 120mL/h, and eventually the maximum dosage of 150mL/h was given.
The drip at 120mL/h.
Dejavu. Drip given, just like my 1st and 2nd labour.
Warning: What you’re about to read may contain too much info.
At around 11.30am SGT, Dr Heng arrived at the labour ward to check on my dilation progress. Since my cervix opened up at a very slow rate (it was 6cm when he arrived), he had to rupture my waterbag to quicken the dilation process even further. He then told me to inform the midwives immediately should I have the urge to push, and they’ll contact him again. I managed a “Thank you Dr. Heng. Happy New Year!” before he left the building. From then on until 12.26pm SGT, I went through a tough ordeal. The gas mask became my best friend again after a long time.
Contractions became more regular and more frequent that the pain became more unbearable that I had to request for a pethidine jab. One of the midwives had me checked and I was already 9cm dilated. She refused my pethidine request saying it’s already too late to have one. They called up Dr Heng, who then had to make a quick u-turn back to the hospital.
During the last stages, the midwives massaged my thighs excessively and asked me to blow into the gas mask several times to refrain me from “accidentally pushing my baby out” before Dr Heng arrives. I overheard one midwife telling P that Dr Heng was “around the corner, at a traffic light”, and this conversation lasted within a span of 4 massive contractions! One midwife even had to stop my baby from “emerging out” with her hands and held it there for sometime. (Okay, TMI!!)
Anyway, the doctor finally came just in time for one hard push before my newborn makes his presence 
Welcome to the world, Baby Mateen Aqeil Izz!
He will have his first pediatric check up tomorrow. Let’s hope he is free from any illnesses, insyallah, and not have a repeat of what Anaqi had went through. (Read here on Anaqi’s Heart Condition: http://aprima.org/2010/02/28/anaqis-heart-condition/ )
Till my next baby update
