Quick Delivery (Not)

Still 7 Dec 2006

After the admission procedures were completed, I was sent to the ward. Changed into the pink hospital gown. I missed dinner so my husband and I had a quick dinner at Mac's. Wasn't hungry but the thought of being alone and hungry later made me eat.

Went to 711 for a quick round of "shopping" as I didnt bring my pre-packed "hospital bag"- socks (its gonna be freezing at the delivery room), face towel, some cookies (hehe). My husband can bring the bag tomorrow. Then went back to the ward. The Drs are not gonna be around to assess me immediately, I am no emergency case, so the husband goes home at 10pm. My hp batteries were running low. Called the kids back home and told them I am not coming home today. They took it quite well.

The Drs finally came way past 10pm. Since I was undecided to have my induction tonite, they will do it tomorrow morning at 6am. I was briefed on the procedure - having a tablet inserted into my cervix, will soften it. Then they will let nature runs its course - either the waterbag will break by itself or contractions will get on a roll and open up the cervix and deliver. Failing which, they will insert another tablet and another until I deliver.

I was also briefed on the risks of failed induction - uterine rupture, infection, hypertension to a dangerous level - all of which would warrant a Caesarian section. Um, oh well. I hope I won't have to go through that!

My blood pressure was taken every 4 hours and it fluctuates! It went back to normal at 4am. I have no idea why my blood pressure shot up. I am feeling fine. No headaches, visual disturbances, etc. I only did the usual household chores, nothing out of the ordinary. It must be age-related then.

As expected I didn't sleep well - the CTG machine had to be fixed to monitor baby's heart rate and my contractions, blood pressure and tempreature readings, blood samples taken.

I was not dilated, my cervix was high. I talked to my baby. He is obviously up to his usual kicks and turns at midnite. He is still not engaged in my pelvis, still floating happily. "Settle down ok baby? Things are gonna be earlier than we thought." I pray for a fast and easy delivery. Tomorrow. Maybe.

ME? P.E.?

7 Dec 2006
2.30 pm

Routine checkup at my 38th week.

Urine test: Trace, protein (huh? Not good)
Blood pressure : 144/99 (NOT GOOD)
Nurse voiced her concern that my bp is a "bit high"

Weight : Gained 400g since last week (OK)

I vaguely remember reading about the symptoms of pre-eclampsia (PE), pregnancy-related hypertension. I might have THAT?

Sure enough the Dr was worried. She wants me admitted for observation immediately and delivery induced if need be, maybe tonight. The baby is already full term at 38 weeks. Tonight? I was (a bit, oh, alright, verry)overwhelmed. What if I go home and admit myself tomorrow?

"PE has this nasty habit of coming up silently and seizing up. It might turn nasty tonight and if you are at home and not aware of it, you might get fits and your organs might be damaged and you might lose your baby. If you insist of going home, you would have to sign the AMA (Against Medical Advice) document." That serious huh?

My BP was not THAT high, just borderline, after 3 re-takes. Taken manually, with the stethoscope, it was even higher at 160/108!!

So here I am, at 5pm, sitting in an empty waiting room for the porter to take me to the ward. I didnt inform anyone, just my husband, and I bet he's worried.

I'm quite taken aback. I was planning to do some shopping for baby stuff on the way home. Guess no time for that now.

37 weeks

H-E-A-V-Y

A-C-H-Y

I have just completely confused myself. I got a book - The Gentle Birth. Its supposed to help lead me to a more comfortable (comfortable - DONT read as painless!), tear-free, minimal need for medical intervention of labour & delivery. But now it has completely floored me.

For the past 2 weeks, my wrists have been hurting. First its my left but now both. It limits movements thusthe use of my hands have been limited. Scoured the net. It might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), where water retention causes pressure on the blood vessels and nerves at the extremities (hands and legs).

Now the book said I should, to avoid water retention - get this - eliminate COMPLETELY from my diet - wheat (read: bread) which is my staple, sugar (!), tomatoes ( I eat raw tomatoes in sandwiches on a daily basis!), bananas, mangoes (my ultimate favourite juice, with pearls).

If I had found this book earlier, not at my 37th week, it might had helped. But now, its kinda late, dontcha think?

There are many other discomforts of pregnancy, which are not documented or seem to be exclusively appearing to some women only and they have boggled the doctors. Cure? It will go away when the baby's born.

My gums now are much more sensitive and bleed like crazy when I brush my teeth, as if I brush them so violently! I've given up looking for my ankles too coz my feet get so swollen, they look like blocks of wood. Not to mention the rubber & metallic taste in my mouth that I have since Day 1.

Hopefully all these will go away as soon as my baby is born!

I've started eating almonds and dried apricots to store complex carbohydrates for labour....which I don't know when but sooon I hope.

In the meantime I've chucked the book away...heee heee.

Now's not the time to be confused. I need a clear mind to welcome my new baby. I can't wait to smell him. Newborn babies smell of heaven, you know.