Recovering from Caesarian Section in the hospital

Amazingly I didn't feel pain right after surgery. Was told that the anesthesia would last for 24 hours which was awesome. All I need to do was lie on the bed and breastfeed my baby. However, since I hadn't had any meal since 10pm the night before, I kept asking when could I have my first meal after surgery. The nurse told me that they would give me drinks first. If I didn't throw up, then only they would give me food. I got barley to drink slightly after 12pm. Supposed to get my food around 2pm but none came. Got milo at 4pm and by then I was starving. Mom nearly bought food for me from downstairs but finally I got my porridge at 6pm. I ate greedily until I nearly throw up, which would be no good. Luckily I managed to lie back down from the sitting position, then the sensation disappear so the food went inside safely.

Since the catheter was still there, I did not have to get up to go to the toilet. Hubby went back with Tricia at 2pm to deal with my placenta. That night he came back without Tricia. That was my first night not having Tricia by my side but at least hubby was with me, not like last time when I stayed in a double room. Tricia stayed with Wan and Atok that night. When she came over the next morning, she was not in a very good mood. She didn't want to hug me anymore. So sad. 

On a brighter note, Haziqa suckled very well. She managed to breastfeed without hassle. I was so surprised and delighted. No more fighting with my child over breastfeeding. Yeay. However, latching to my right boob was quite a problem as the size was smaller. But she has no problem with the left one so she was satisfied. After a few days of latching, my left nipple became really sore every time she latched on. Thankfully, I had the nipple shield. Been using it until today as it protects my left nipple from being sore and helps with latching with my right boob.

The day after surgery, my IV line was removed but the needle was left at my hand in case of emergency. Hubby came back from lunch excitedly telling me the mother of twins next door had been walking all over the ward floor. I still hadn't left my bed that time as the catheter was still attached to me. When it was removed, I slowly stand up straight as told by kak ina, instead of bowing down, and managed to slowly walk around too. Recovery was very smooth. Alhamdulillah. 

I was served porridge through out my stay in the hospital as I needed therapeutic soft food post-surgery. Urinated 3 times and pooped 1 time before I was deemed fit to leave the hospital. Was released on Wednesday, 2 days after surgery and mom took care of me at home before my confinement lady arrived the next Tuesday.

My 2nd delivery

I thought this time that I am staying on my own with access to PC and high speed broadband, I would update my blog faster and more often. Clearly, I thought wrong. Today mark the last day of my confinement period. Hooray? Hmm, not really. Apart from the fact that my baby is growing healthily, I don't foresee myself joying over anything in particular. Food... I have been slowing introducing stuff that I couldn't/shouldn't eat in confinement and I couldn't/wouldn't just eat everything now that it is over because I am still breastfeeding and my wound, although healed, is still quite sore sometimes. Anyway, let's flasback to my 2nd delivery journey.

We checked-in into SJMC at nearly 6pm on the 16th of March, Sunday. We were told there were no single room available, which we expected. Before I could suggest we take the double room and pay double the rate, the lady called up post-natal ward and hooray, we got a single room. Room 377. I was told by my Dr that soon after we checked in, we could go out again but the nurse said they needed to shave me and I was supposed to see my anesthetist. I should have taken up the offer by the lady at a spa I went to earlier that day to wax me but I was embarrassed to let people see my private part. If I did, maybe it won't be so itchy like the after effect of shaving. Anyway, was done by 8pm and not seeing anesthetist that night so we signed the release paper and went out. Promised to be back by midnight, when my fasting began.

We went to have dinner at TGIF Subang Parade, where mummy and abang joined us. Then around 10pm, hubby decided to go all the way back to Bangi to freshen up and somehow we managed to reach the hospital back at midnight. I sneaked in that night, not knowing I should have reported back so the nurse came to check on me around 2am or so. Teehehe.

I couldn't sleep so well that night, knowing the fact that I would be under the knife the next morning. Was waken up by a nurse around 5.50am to prep me up. She asked whether I had been fasting since midnight, which I answered yes. I asked whether I could have a drink and the answer was no. I later went to the toilet to pass motion naturally so the nurse said no need to insert the "inducer" into my anus. Dr Siti visited me before the surgery around 8am. After that, I was given medicine for gastric, IV line was inserted into my left hand, were asked a number of standard questions before an operation and signed the release form. Standard questions include:

1) Have I ever had any other surgery prior to this one? No.

2) Any medicine I am allergic to? No.

3) Am I under any medication or vitamins? Last time taken? Obimin Plus. Last Friday.

4) Read the possible risks associated with the operation.

Then we wait, around 8.30am, I was taken to the surgery room. Hubby carried Tricia and sent me to the operating theater door at Level 1.

In the operating theater, I was parked at the waiting area for awhile. God knows how nervous I was waiting there. People were being carted in and out the operating room. Lucky, no one was screaming or looked nervous. Everyone was composed and calm. Staff looking ready and professional. It was like I was watching Grey's Anatomy, only this time I was one of the actors. Huhu. 

Just before I went in, my anesthetist came to brief me and I was told that we were going with regional anesthesia, instead of general anesthesia and the more common epidural. Reason being the needle is smaller, making for a more precise incision and with that lower risk of failure. I just agreed to it, trusting the details to the professionals. Dr Siti came over and I heard them discussing over that option and she said it is a good choice. She wondered why not many people opt for it. I guess, it's good to hear that from Dr Siti.

They sent me in around 9am and I requested that they start with the anesthesia first before putting in the catheter. I was asked to sit upright, face facing forward when they put the needle in my back. Thank God the needle insertion was not painful and everything went smoothly. When I laid down, both my hands were bounded. My left was the IV line and my right hand was tied to the BP monitor. I couldn't feel the catheter and when my Dr made the first cut, she confirmed with me that I didn't feel anything before they proceed. So my anesthesia was a success. Yeay.

During the operation, I didn't feel any pain. Only the sensation of pushing and tugging my abdomen to push the baby into the right position. At 9.11am, 17 March 2014, the baby was safely delivered, weighing 3.19kg. I heard her crying so loud when they cleaned her up and that time, all I could do was wait. I remember wondering why it took them so long to let me see the baby. She was crying all the time until they brought her to me. I remember kissing her eyes and tasted her tear. I had tear in my eye too that time. This is more emotional for me because I was awake and fresh, unlike last time when I was all tired and sleepy. I reminded the nurse to let my husband azan the baby before they do anything else to her. After that, my Dr and her team continued to stitch me up and I was held up to recuperate in the operating theater hall for about an hour before I was sent back to my room.
I was silent throughout the whole procedure, updated occasionally by my anesthetist who was the only one by my side and only answered when they called for me. I was told by Dr Siti there was no reason why the baby was in breech position. Nothing was blocking her passage and she was not that big. I guess her bambam was heavy. That's why she couldn't push it up. =p Since nothing else to do during the recuperating hour, I took a nap. At 10.30am I insisted to be sent up to my room as I couldn't wait to see my family.

The experience this time is a completely different one. In terms of pain during delivery, this one is more smooth, less painful experience. Hassle-free, stress-free option. But given a choice, would I opt for elective caesarian next time or would still try for normal delivery? I would say, I would still try for normal delivery, unless a situation like this arises.

39 weeks

Done with my final prenatal check up for this pregnancy yesterday. As expected, the baby didn't turn so we are all ready for c-sec first thing tomorrow morning. Going to check in later today and is really hoping for a single room though I doubt I would get one. 

One thing I concluded from this pregnancy is that since the baby didn't get into position, that was why I didn't experience leg cramps every time I stretched when I woke up in the morning as often as the first pregnancy. To be exact, maybe 3 times through out the whole pregnancy, when the last one it was almost every day whenever I forgot and accidentally stretch my legs. Remember mom told me maybe it was because it was still too early. Nope.. not until the very last day. Tricia was in position as early as 31 weeks so it made sense that I experienced my leg cramps through out my third trimester. So it was NOT because of my calcium level as I kept forgetting taking my supplements during THIS pregnancy. 

I am suspecting the baby is a tad too big to get into the normal position. As you might remember, the baby was already in position at 35 weeks but she changed her position a week later. I think she felt heavy and uncomfortable in that position and that's why she changed it back. Maybe she weighs a little over 3kg. Will know for sure tomorrow morning. Pray for me!

#PrayForMH370

It has been 5 whole days. Please come back. The whole world is looking for you. We are anxious waiting for updates everyday.

Weird Saturday 8 March 2014

Something utterly weird happened yesterday morning. Malaysia Airlines lost a flight to Beijing MH370 and the whole world is currently looking for the missing plane. We have been staying at home and stuck in front of the TV or our smartphones all day yesterday and today to get the latest update on the situation.

But this post is not about that. Something weird happened to me personally yesterday morning. Woke hubby up to go for check up. While he was in the shower, I was checking his phone battery level as usual when I noticed there was an unread sms. Unsuspectingly, I read the message. It said "miss u so much" "i'm in KL today. Esok I ade kat PD" From RV Min. I was shocked... and speechless... Hubby came out from the shower and the only thing I asked him was: Is Min a guy or a girl? Hubby answered "a girl. But I'm not that close to her". Then he went to brush his teeth. I took that opportunity to reply that msg. "Mcm pelik je hntr msg mcm ni to husband I. -wife cherz" (Cherz is his game name.) I sent that msg from my hubby's phone and kept quiet. Didn't even delete those msgs from his phone.

Went to the clinic to dispose my urine sample and took my blood sample for my blood test. Came down to hubby who was having breakfast with Tricia and asked him calmly. "Have u read the msgs from Min?" Hubby replied calmly too. "Dah". Me: "Kenapa msg tu pelik sgt?" Hubby: "Tah. Die salah hantar kot. Die ade bf, budak RV jugak. (RV is a name of an online gaming website.) So maybe die save nama budak2 RV dekat2" He said he was waiting for me to ask him about it. Then he laughed at me and teased me "ayg risau ehhhhhhhhh" Duhhh... If I'm not concerned, what kind of wife am I? Then he continued "syg mmg tak pernah rapat dgn die. Check laa phone log semue... Tak pernah kot call die. Kalau ckp dgn die pon, mesti ade Zam and Ana." Somehow I believed him. Because my instinct says so. Am I too trusting? Should I be more suspicious? I don't know. But I truly believed him. 

I do because he has Never Not come home, albeit sometimes/always late but that is the way he functions all this while anyway. He has never treat me wrong. And being in a relationship for more than 11 years with him has taught me when he is and is not lying. And for now, I am satisfied with it. I asked him later that evening, did she replied my msg. Hubby said she did. She said sorry. Only one word "sorry". But I didn't get to see it because he deleted the msg already. Hmm. (Comforting myself that I am not upset about that) But if that was true, doesn't she owe me an explanation more than just a Sorry. Imagine I freaked out and started tossing plates towards my husband because of her wrongly sent msgs. Or even throwing my husband out. Haish.

38 weeks

Things getting more serious now. Baby is still in breach position... Her head is up and her buttocks is down. My Dr didn't recommend us doing ECV (external cephalic version) to assist the baby in changing her position but told us to just keep talking to the baby to do it herself. If she refused to budge by next Saturday (15 March 2014), we are scheduled to deliver by C-section on the 17th, Monday, at 8.30a.m. 39 weeks of pregnancy to be exact. If we wait any longer, we might have to go for emergency C-sec, instead of a scheduled one.

I have accepted the fact that I need to go under the knife this time. If she turns on time, great!!! (though I may be unprepared for normal delivery now) If she doesn't, to major operation we go. (*gulp*) So many people went through it already and we all know it is the best decision given the circumstances. It is not like it is elective surgery, right. So yeah... I believe Allah knows what is best for us.

2years 4months

2 nights ago, I was putting up our photoshoot pictures up our staircase wall. I already pasted the double sided-tape onto the pictures but haven't peeled the sticker off them yet. Tricia came over to me and insisted to help. I told her to go down and watched her TV but she refused to budge. While I was pasting one picture on the wall, she managed to find her way to peel off the sticker on another picture. By the time I looked, the picture was ready to be pasted on the wall. Wahhh, mummy's little helper!

Last night, when we reached home, as usual, we were sitting on the couch and this conversation took place:

Tica: Mummy. Nak tgk kantun (cartoon)

Me: Cartoon kene tengok tv sana. (the smaller TV)

Tica: Taknak. Nak tgk TV ni

Me: Sini cartoon dah habis. TV ni ade Monster(s Inc) je

Tica: Ok la. Tgk Monster

Me: Kesian laa papa. Papa nak tgk TV

Tica: Kesian tica

Me: =_= *flips channel to Monsters Inc*

37 weeks

I should be jumping for joy for reaching full-term today. However, last check up revealed that the baby is currently in breach position again... songsang as the Malays call it. Dr said if she doesn't change her position on time, we will have to go for Caesarian section. *cry*

Not only am I scared for the procedure, I am also a bit concern with the cost. It could go more than RM10k. Please pray for me. If that is the only choice, then I will accept the fact with a heavy heart. But for the time being, please pray that the baby turns on time. I would prefer to go for a normal vaginal delivery than a C-sec.
Next check up this weekend, I will have to do a blood test to check my hemoglobin level. Weekly check ups from now onwards.

Tanjung Jara Resort - Part 2

Am so very lazy to finish this post but I. just. have. to. The longer I postpone the post, the more irrelevant it would be. So here goes: Part 2...

The next morning, we had our breakfast at Di Atas Sungei restaurant. Thankfully breakfast was included in our bookings. Breakfast spread was good. There was a variety of selections and the quality was excellent. Halfway through our breakfast, came a group of people with kompang and "hantaran" sort of to signal the arrival/celebrate a newly-wed couple. Was told that's for the honeymoon package. Quite interesting.

We were joined by Mimi and Azmir not long after and after breakfast, we went to the beach for a walk. The beach was clean and breezy and the sand was quite soft. It was a fun morning out but since it was getting hotter and hotter, we didn't stay that long outside. Plus, the wave and the current was very strong so we couldn't swim in the water anyway. Coming back from the beach, everyone had to clean their own feet from something black and oily that looks like petrol except my husband. Don't know why petrol didn't stick to him. Maybe because he used to work at a petrol station before? Wahahaha.

We had showers and hubby and I took the opportunity to take a dip in the bathtub while Tricia was being taken care by Tokma and cacik. After that, all of us took a nap. Around 3 or so, mummy and abang went out to have lunch at Teratai Restaurant, which was by an adult pool (no kids allowed). Food price was around RM40 per plate. Hubby didn't want to wake up so he was left alone sleeping in the room.

After lunch, I woke hubby up and we went to the pool.

However, it was only for a short while because the staff kept reminding us to join the Kampung Life activity, which is on every Saturday between 5-6pm. There were quite a number of activities and the food and drinks served were delicious and most importantly FREE. There's a beruk getting coconut for you, batik paintings, apam balik, kerepok lekor, cucur udang, kopi kampung... and various games like sepak takraw, congkak, kompang and the sarawak buloh thingy. It was such a cool concept. Mimi and Azmir came back from town and was just in time to join us for the Kampung Life event. They commented, after eating the keropok lekor provided, the ones bought outside didn't taste so good anymore.

That night, we went out to have dinner at a tomyam restaurant outside. The food was substandard so so but because the shop was located by the beach side and the wind was blowing strongly, the ambiance was very refreshing and nice.

Tricia didn't have problem sleeping that night after a day full of fun activities. We took it slow on our last day there. Pic: Tricia feeding the fishes in the pond after breakfast. No hiccup during check out... only I was nearly charged for our daily breakfast, which was supposed to be included in the room package. Luckily, I checked. No issue with that. The staff waived it without hassle.

We made a quick stop at Pantai Kemasik on the way back before parting ways and leaving Terengganu with a heavy heart. One thing for sure, we are definitely coming back. One of the best resorts we have been to so far. Love it!