My Birth Story 1

The account below is just my way of jotting down information for my own reference. It has not in any way intended to scare/exaggerate/belittle anyone who was involved or readers of this blog

I accept with an open heart and mind all the experiences that I have gone through in this delivery. It has somehow helped to improve the concept of tawakkal which I shamefully admit I am lacking for I have always been the type who likes to be really prepared with everything.. I have not been a very spontaneous kind.. and this experience was really an eye-opener.

I pray Allah will grant me with more patience towards the pain and trauma for they are my kafarah – to expiate my sins, InsyaAllah.  Everything happened so quickly and Alhamdulillah, what’s more important is both me and the baby are safe.. Alhamdulillah.. Thank you Allah!!

Syukur

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And so on Tuesday 22nd December 2009 @ 5 Muharram 1431H I went to the hospital with Mr. Husband as scheduled for my 40th week ante-natal check up. My pregnancy was 40th wk +1 day on that day.

At 8 a.m, I had my ultrasound. The baby was estimated to be around 3.6kg and heartbeat was 128bpm and she was in a normal cephalic position (the head down -the most usual position for babies to be vaginally born). So, I was relieved that everything was as normal

Around 9 a.m I was already seeing the ObGyn, Dr. HS.. a male Egyptian who did a VE and told me I was 3 cm dilated. I was wondering why his VE (Vaginal Examination) on me took quite a long time although not as painful as the previous VE done by the ObGyn Clinical Associate, Dr.A.. also a male but in much taller and larger built and this explains why Dr A’s VE during the 39th week check-up on me was more painful. I mentioned this in my previous post.

Only after Dr. HS was done VE-ing he told me I was 3 cm dilated and he had done “a nice membrane sweep“. WHAT??? I was shocked! He did not ask me or even told me that he wanted to do a membrane sweep. At least I would have been mentally prepared

It is a common practice for midwives or doctors to at least inform the patient that a membrane sweep is needed to be done or to ask for a consent. Unfortunately not in my experience here. It is not that I would oppose to the procedure, it is just much more correct to let me understand the situation that I had to go through.

Well, Alhamdulillah I know the term and could understand what was it all about. He then told me and the nurse.. go to the labour room now.. I told the nurse that I need to tell my husband first who was outside the bulding (man’s not allowed into the building policy). Both of us were quite panicky because I know I have to deliver my baby sooner or later but for NOT being told that he wanted to do the membrane sweep on the very spot, was not acceptable

I believe I have the right to know whatever they’re doing with me!!

I was one minute not in labour and suddenly the ObGyn started my labour without my knowledge. Sad!

What is a membrane sweep?

Membrane sweeping is done by your midwife or doctor. While internally examining you, she will simply “sweep” a finger around your cervix (neck of your womb). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

So, I had  no choice. Mr. Husband had to go home quickly to pick up my mother and send the kids to KakAini’s. They couldn’t be left with Atok because they would continuously be disturbing Atok who’s not very well. Atok is 78 and has a heart problem. So, it’s better to leave him at home alone rather than with Inas and Umar

And I was sent to the labour room. Once in the labour room, I couldn’t use my mobile as there was no signal.. grrr Alhamdulillah I managed to text and call some good friends before that. After changing and all, the nurses wanted to put IV. I was needled 3 times only to be in pain and the nurse still failed to locate my vein correctly. I know that I have small veins especially during winter but to make 3 painful failed attempts was just unacceptable. I have been on IV before but this had never occured.

At one point, they thought they got the right vein and put the drip, but NO!! The drip didn’t go correctly into the vein and my wrist was bulging abruptly because the drip went into my flesh instead to my vein. Even today after 9 days, there is still a dark blue painful mark on my left hand wrist.

At that point I already missed Ampang Puteri!!

This is just the beginning of my real experience in the labour room here.. will write more InsyaAllah.