The Delivery

I have given birth earlier than expected on 5/10. I had to unfortunately check in earlier for delivery because my amniotic fluid was low during the before-delivery routine check up. 

God's mighty hand was throughout the delivery process.
I had the smoothest delivery I never thought was remotely possible for such a high risk pregnancy.

The KKH team was extremely kind and caring to us, conscientious and on the ball throughout the delivery process. It was extraordinary team effort between several multidisciplinary medical teams working with myself, and David. Even the perinatal palliative doctor contacted me personally to encourage and assist even though she was overseas and on leave. 

The entire process went flawlessly, so much so I was shocked at how smooth a first delivery can really be. It is absolutely unreal. 

I was sleeping /reading / laughing through contractions after the induction - thanks to advice from friends to get the epidural analgesia early. (I also managed to finish handing over my work through contractions). 

Even the epidural anesthesia was delivered at such a sweet spot that I could keep my epidural on while pushing towards the end because I was able to feel contractions but not the pain. This is much to my relief because i was worried about feeling the pain from episiotomy cutting and stitching. 

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The Delivery Process:

At 10plus am on 5/10/23, the nurses/doctor woke me up to inform me that it was time to push. 

So here we are, waiting for the entourage of doctors to be at the ready to receive Little Faith. 

The midwives then gave me a 5-min crash course on how to push.

For a lack of a better term, it felt exactly like pooping a baby out. Yes, friends, just imagine you are going to poop - those are the exact muscles to engage to push during delivery.

Once I got that idea, it only took 2 pushes before baby eventually popped out.

At first, everyone watched and waited intently as Little Faith came into this world - this was a tense and critical moment - we weren't sure if she would survive or even have the lung capacity to cry for her first breath.

And then, I heard a lil squeak before the loudest high-pitched wail. Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief and were all smiles. Little Faith was immediately passed to the neonatal team and whisked to NICU, as pre-planned, before I could even hold her or had a good look at her. 

Of course that was quite sad, but at least I was assured that Little Faith was in good hands. 

(to be continued)