New Life With 2 Children

Honestly, I've not fully immersed myself with life as a mother with 2 children because of the presence of a confinement nanny who faithfully helps me take care of baby Raynen. My mother-in-law is also present to help me see to Rynae's needs and to take care of miscellaneous housework. With 2 able helpers, I took a back seat, relax and recuperate.

I do, however, have one important role - to supply potent breast milk to my little urchin. Because of this indispensable task, I'm kept busy either milking myself or nursing my little calf. I was a little regretful for not persisting to breast feed Rynae beyond a month thus I am determined to breast feed for as long as I could for this birth.

I'm happy that Rynae is taking the arrival of his new baby brother in a good stride. She shows her love by caressing his soft skin and stroking his tiny head when he's drinking milk - an affectionate sight that made me forget all the years of irritations, frustrations and sleepless nights that accompanies motherhood. No words can describe this euphoric feeling. You really have to be a mother to experience it...

Labour of Love

Raynen was a strong baby when he was inside me. Whenever he stretch, I felt as though he is going to punch a hole through my tummy and simply get out from there. Because of his incredible strength, I had this intuition that my first sign of labour will be breakage of water bag. But I was wrong. Here's my full labour story:

On 16 June after a check up at my gynae's, I was told that I was already 2cm dilated. Panic. How? I'm going to bomb! When I had Rynae, I gave birth the day I was told I was 3cm dilated! I had a discussion with Doctor and we decided to do it calmly since I've no contraction pain and there's sufficient amniotic fluid in my amnion. He suggested that I go back, rest, pack and settle all outstandings and check into Mount Alvernia on 18 June midnight. Ok, set.

However, on 17 June around 5am, I was woken up by 'cramps'. I tried to ignore it but it kept coming back in regular intervals of 5 mins. My instinct told me I was having contractions. I couldn't get back to sleep so I got up to visit the washroom. Gosh! I had show! That's it.. that's it.. I'm into labour! The contractions grew stronger and I woke Daddy up. I had a quick shower, grabbed my bag and rushed off to the hospital. The contractions grew more intense as the minute passed. I could hardly walk when we reached the delivery suit.

After an internal examination, nurse told me that I was 4cm dilated. I was asked to clear my bowel while she went off to inform my gynae. I was in pain but I tried not to think about it. Soon, I was straped with fetal heartbeat monitor onto the delivery bed. And not long after, my wrist was poked with a drip to induce my labour. Yikes! More intense pain! Help!!!! I tried not to go against the pain and to concentrate on my breathing. It worked. "It'll be over soon... It's not going to kill me... I'm going to have my baby in my arms soon..." I cheered myself on.

Doctor came around 7am. (He was on leave that day and that explains why he didn't suggest to me to give birth on the 17th!) He did a check, broke my water bag and reported, "Ok, Cassandra, you're 5cm dilated. Now, I need you to push." I did and gave it all I can. "Great. 9cm now. Nurses please get ready". They took me by the legs and I was positioned in an 'expose-all pose'. Urgh... in addition to the contraction pains, I felt an immediate urge to pop. It felt like the biggest poo I've ever had! After 2 gigantic pushes, I heard Raynen's thundering wail. My boy was out...

He was thrown onto my tummy and my first reaction was to check if he was ok. Thank god he was. I was happy, fulfilled and relieved. 9 months of pregnancy. 9 months of carrying him - all passed in a twinkle of an eye. My tummy suddenly felt empty and I'm beginning to miss his kicks in me.... My family is complete now and we're all looking forward to life with the addition of this new family member.

Dealing WIth Jaundice

After 3D2N's stay at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Mummy was discharged on Friday but poor baby Raynen had to be warded for jaundice treatment for 2 extra days. It was heart wrenching to see my boy striped, blind-folded and placed under phototherapy. It felt awful coming home without your new born.

Luckily, baby Raynen was discharged yesterday after his jaundice was sucessfully brought down to acceptable level. We were told to continue hydrating him and putting him under morning and evening sun. Well, we did this morning as told and here's our precious, sun bathing in his sister's passed-down pram.

He looks shiok huh?

Welcome Baby Raynen

Everybody meet Raynen Bong. He was welcomed into this world on 17th June at 7.20am, weighing 3540g. Mummy Cow will post my birth story as soon as I am able to..

Count Down 2 Weeks

Everyone has been telling me that 2nd borns usually will arrive earlier and faster than 1st borns. Rynae was born 3 days before my expected due date hence now that I am into my 38th week of gestation, I could be expecting Cowboy's arrival anytime! I felt like I am carrying a time bomb.

Pregnancy is getting uncomfortable during this third trimester. My feet are swollen because of water retention due to my uterus and baby's pressure on my veins. Occassionally, I experience sharp stabbing pain in my groin when I get up from a sitting position. And not forgetting to mention about my bulkiness, clumsiness and edginess. Inspite of all these common discomforts, I am enjoying every moment of my pregnancy - of having Cowboy rolling, poking and stretching inside me. Once he is out, the 'party' is over and I am so gonna miss his company within my body.

At 38th week, my gynae suggested doing a CTG (cardiotocography) scan for me to check fetal heartbeat and signs of contractions. It was a relieve that Cowboy's heart beat is normal. There were no contractions and neither had I dilated. So off I went to spend another few 'peaceful' days waiting at home...