Happily, I went to browse the internet, and Google is my bestfriend, to find a nice and good doctor for myself. It was not easy, the good ones are basically harder to make an appointment with and they are usually Private. Yes, that means it will cost more! After much hesitation, I went to the clinic that is nearest to my home and with many good reviews, The Woman's Specialist Clinic at Chong Pang. We made an appointment through the phone and off we went in high spirits and anticipation to see our dear baby for the 1st time through Ultrasound. Registration was a breeze when we reach the clinic, but the clinic is damn crowded, and we had anticipated that before we came so it was fine. We waited for more than 1 hour and finally, it was my turn.
Went in, saw the Doctor,sat down, doctor spoke with turbo, like 3 sentences in 2 seconds. Ask me to lie down on the bed, did the ultrasound and got to know that baby's EDD will be on 30th June 2012, we also saw baby (a tiny round shape). Got up and tell us it is okay and we can leave.
WHAT? I think it was less than 5 mins from the second I stepped into the room. Okay, that was fast! I was trying to ask the doctor if there is anything that I need to take note of and such. He just told me a few points such as: No sex in the 1st trimester, don't squat too long, and stand too long. And sent us out of the room.
We asked if there is any food that we are not supposed to eat or drink, he just said in a rush that, we can check with the aunties at the counter. Okay, was abit unhappy that the 1st appointment went in such a rushed way but still keeping our spirits high. The aunties called my name and we went to take the supplements and made the next appointment. I tried to ask them about the food to avoid and they mockingly replied that I should ask my mother instead.
OKAY, that was the last straw! I went back feeling upset as it was my 1st pregnancy and they showed attitude to my seemingly stupid questions! After discussing with hubby and a few close friends, everyone suggested that the attitude showed was being uncalled for. So, I cancelled my appointment and asked a few other friends that have previously given birth for their contacts and feedbacks on their doctor. As 2 of them suggested going to KKH as private patient, I heeded their advice and called KKH to book an appointment.
The charges for being a Private patient at KKH was quite reasonable as far as I can remember. To the best of my knowledge, pls just take this with a pinch of salt, the price of Normal Delivery Package was around S$1300.00? I remember paying around S$1200.00 as initial payment and paid around S$90~100 per visit to the doctor which includes doctor's fees, routine tests, ultrasound and supplements.
Everything falls into place really well. The place is very big and spacious with a few comfy sofas at the waiting area outside every room. There is a coffee machine (which serves milo and tea too) in the waiting area and a basket of washed apples for us to eat. And they have a very good system that included complimentary SMS service, this service is whereby they will SMS you every now and then to let you know of the amount of people in queue infront of you. I think it is very good, as we can gauge our time and go outside to stroll or grab something to eat and comeback instead of just sitting there (you can do that too) and wait outside the room.
I was assigned to Dr. Arthur Tseng. He is a very gentle and nice doctor, he is so patient to our every question and smiles as he answers every single one of them. I went there for around 3 or 4 times and suddenly Dr Tseng says that he is going to open his own clinic and that he will not be with KKH anymore, so if I want to continue his consultation, I have to switch to Private and will see him as Gleneagles clinic. He explained the charges to me and emailed me the breakdown charges. I went back and think and asked the opinions of my friends and many told me to stick to KKH as I have already paid the initial payment and I am in better hands there. So I called Dr Tseng's assistant and told her I will stay with KKH.
I was assigned to Dr Matthew Lau as I had no preferred doctor. Dr Lau was okay, though he did not talk much and not as caring (and handsome) as Dr Tseng. wahaha.. Everything went on fine and then it was June already (yay!), on the day of follow-up appointment, Dr Lau asked if we want to choose a day to induce, and we declined as we wanted everything to fall in naturally. And I've heard stories that induction sometimes causes emergency c-sect, so we stood firm on letting baby arrive naturally.
On 21th June, I came out of the shower late afternoon (around 5 ~6pm) and found that my below was leaking clear water. I immediately called my mommy and aunt and they advised me to go to the hospital and meet them there. Luckily, it was also hubby's off-day so he fetched me to the hospital and we even had dinner at the foodcourt together before going to find doctor, lol. When I am finally admitted into the labour ward (around 7pm), my mommy and aunt was advised to go home and wait for news as only hubby is allowed inside the room with me.
I lied on the bed and the nurse put some ultrasound belt around me and we can hear baby's Heartbeat =) Then Dr Lau came by to check on me and chatted briefly. As I was not in pain yet, me and hubby chit-chat along the way and around midnight I felt hungry. We asked the nurse if I am allowed to eat anything but was told that I can only drink water as eating too much might cause me to poo poo and I might push baby out accidentally. So we heeded her advise and stayed put and waited.
It was pure excitement that kept both of us awake throughout the night and about 6am in the morning, I felt the 1st contraction. It was PAINFUL! Some doctor on duty came in to check on me and see if I have dilated enough to go to the delivery ward, but hell no, they poke me below and it was even more painful than the contractions!! After sometime, I cannot take the pain, I asked for laughing gas, then subsequently, the thigh jab, then finally epidural =( I cried cos I did not want to take epidural initially, but I cannot take the pain anymore! sigh~ until about 7 ~8pm in the evening on the 22nd, my doctor say I still haven't dilate enough to push so I have to go emergency c-sect. I cried again =(
Finally, baby came out at around 9+pm, I forgot the exact time. My family were waiting outside the Operating Theater for baby and me. When I saw baby in the Operating Theater (while doctor is stitching me up), I cried in happiness. I don't remember all the pain just now, I just felt happy. We named her Roxanne Lai. She is the most beautiful gift for us, she arrived on the same day as her father, that was really a surprise, that is fate.
When I reached the ward, I was still feeling tired from all the epidural and anesthesia I had so I only briefly chatted with hubby and fell asleep soon after. Oh ya, baby did not return to the ward with me as she had a fever due to the epidural =( Was quite sad. But the next morning, the doctor checked on me and say I can go back the next day.. he also said that it's okay for me to get off the bed but must walk slowly. So I went down to the NICU to see my baby girl =)) The next day we went back home 1st cos baby's fever haven't totally subside.. But we still go back to hospital to see her everyday, after 2 more days, she can finally go home with us (yay!).
CONFINEMENT is such a disaster man! Because my mum offered to do the confinement for me, as in cooking and looking after baby so that I can rest. But in the end, she cooks a bit here and there and not even enough for me to eat, lol.. And taking care of baby is the worse! She wakes me up to ask me how to take care every now and then. Because she did not have experience at all, lols.. I regretted not hiring one proper CL to do for me. In the end, I couldn't pump enough milk due to pressure. And I am constantly feeling unhappy and feel like crying all the time! Thought was going to get post-natal depression! haha!
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