22 Oct 2007 -> Steffi's Due Date to 23 Oct 2007 -> Steffi's Arrival

22 Oct 07, Steffi's due date. AM -> Visit to Gynae. CTG showed regular contractions that were abt 10mins apart, but with no pain yet. Gynae asked us if we wanted to wait another day and see him the next day. (Justin's reaction to this in his heart was, "Dr Lee, are you waiting for Christmas???")...heehee...Well, both Justin and I were quite adamant that we wanted to induce already as I was quite miserable, not being able to sleep well everynite since she was always at my ribcage. This of course affected Justin's sleep as well. So we both proposed to induce immediately and there...the process started.

A few hours later, the nurses induced with only half a tablet at 2pm at the normal ward. Contractions began to kick in stronger and a little painful. Around 6pm, they wheeled me into the delivery ward. 9pm, the wonderful epidural was administered! Pain relief! Meanwhile, I knew then that Steffi would miss the queen's mother's birthday 22 Oct. So it would HAVE TO BE 23 Oct then!

23 Oct 07, wee hours of the morning, dilation was abt 6 to 7cm. Dr Lee came by around 8+am and estimated that all should be done by about noon. Boy was I relieved to hear that the wait will soon be over. In the meantime, everytime the pain came stronger, I requested for the epidural dosage to be increased. As you can see, not very high tolerance for pain! *grin*

1pm, obviously already passed noon, but dilation still around 8cm only...also running a fever, and getting very hungry as I didn't have any food since they induced at 2pm the day before. Aaarrrrgggghhh......the wait was just miserable and unbearable!!! Obviously, my patience was running out!!! :(

4.15pm, midwife checked and dilation was still 9cm, not the ideal 10cm yet. Anyhow, I think she knew I may not last much longer and was starting to consider c-section as an option. Hence, asked me to try and push to see if she can see Steffi's head. Obviously, this being the 1st time, pushing technique was all wrong and pushed till my whole face was flushed red each time...as if my blood vessels were going to burst. The midwife of course corrected me and was much better thereafter.

4.45pm, Dr Lee arrives and gets dressed and ready with equipment. He is ready to deliver the baby, and assist me with a vacuum though.

FINALLY, AFTER 3 PUSHES, STEFFI'S 1ST CRIES WERE HEARD AT 5.21PM, 23 OCT 2007.


PRAISE GOD...THANK GOD...AMEN!