The TMC Birth Experience

This is a recap of my experience of delivering at TMC. Being a supporter of TMC since my first delivery also means that I have no other hospital experience to compare against.

Regardless, i am impressed by the professionalism of the nurses who took care of me the moment I stepped into the delivery ward. They were not expecting me to be an urgent case (visually I looked calm enough). Once they straighten out that I was 9cm dilated, the nurses gave me my anti-b via iv, pushed me to the delivery and called for my gynae to come down immediately. The Indian nurse on duty in particular reminded me that I should not take pethedine since i was delivering soon. The nurses were all encouraging me to take deep breaths when I cringed at the contractions. In the end, I am super grateful that I manage to survive just on laughing gas. 

It was an added icing on the cake when Hubby told me about the 龙马精神 promotion which I was eligible for - having gave birth to a dragon and then a horse at TMC... There was a $288 one time discount and my doting husband decided to upgrade me to a single bedded this time.

The single bedded experience was way better. With hubby's company, I also felt "safe" to go ahead and sleep. The space was much bigger and I could accommodate my guests better. 

I am not sure if its the same for the double bedded rooms but the bidet actually dispense warm water - which is more comfortable for washing the wound down south... The inner knob has a temperature control... Cool right? 

The nurses at the delivery suite also gave hubby a letter to redeem a free 2D Acrylic baby footprint. Cool! Baby L had his footprint taken before discharge. 

And for being such a loyal mummy, I was presented w a lovely hamper from the management of TMC. That really suprised me as I never thought the hospital would send me a hamper and a card. 

The nurses on level 5 were also very friendly. In fact I am delighted to have the company of the nurses for my three "staycations" there. Food wise, I really love the papaya fish soup that comes in the mid morning. Thick white and yummy, i wonder if its also the reason why my milk flow came in early! I had three servings during this staycation! 

And to top it all off, on the day of discharge, the nurse brought me milo and sandwich while we waited for the bill. It was already lunch time (on day of discharge, lunch is not provided) and I was feeling hungry already. The sweet voluntary offer made me feel so touched! 

The "paiseh" part is when I actually "over-stayed... Baby L decided to latch for almost 45 mins after settling our bill. The cleaner lady was tasked to clean the room but baby L was suckling away enthusiastically... 

And check out the diaper bag! Its the nicest bag I have gotten from the hospital! One in 2008, 2013 & 2014... I must say the bag's quality is improving! And in it are essentials such as the leftover baby diapers, baby wipes, hand sanitiser, TMC's very own brand of baby lotion, nipple cream, baby wash, feminine wash, etc. During check in, we were also given a bag of Baby Care goodies - got kodomo and j&j goodies inside... ;)

One week later at home, I recieved a follow up call from TMC to check on my progress with the newborn. How I was feeling, my progress regarding breast feeding, etc. 

In all, the end to end hospital experience has been a great one and I must say this experience has dug a deep impression on me (for me to even write this post). If and its a BIG MEGA IF I have a #4, I will surely choose TMC again. 

#3- Birth Story ;)

This birth story is ultra short because it all happened within 1.5 hours- from the time I woke up to get ready to the time baby was born. This time I listened carefully to my gynae- pain level -7/10, contractions last 30 secs, 8 mins apart. 

I started feeling contractions after making THE Facebook post but it was not painful- so mild that I thought they were braxton hicks. The contractions were then 4-5mins apart but pain level was only 2-3/10. So fulfils only 2 out of 3 criteria. 

Tried to get some sleep and sleep I did at about 1.20am - too excited about the possibility of meeting him. Baby M was asleep but started tossing around quite madly in her play pen at about 3.15am... Then she finally cried at 3.20am. Hug her to bed and went to toilet. While lying down, contractions came strongly. Was still struggling if I should head to the hospital and after three contractions which were abt 3-4 mins apart, I decided it was time to get to hospital. Woke hubby up and went to wash up. 

Moved quickly, reached hospital at 3.40am. By which I could barely move/talk when I had the contraction. Went to toilet to change to the blue gown... Couldn't pee to get urine sample because it was just too painful - by which I also noticed that my panty liners were fully stained. 

Nurse did a check and found me to be 9cm dilated *all gasped!*. They moved very quickly to give me my anti-biotic for the GBS... I was begging for my pethedine. The very nice Indian nurse told me its too late for pethedine since I was soooo close to labour. *sobs*

And so after agonizing through countless contractions in the delivery suite and hubby away trying to get paperwork done, all I could do is hold on to the gas mask for dear life. The nurses were all saying breathe-breathe deeply but all I could think of "what if Dr Tseng cannot come in time?". 

Less than an hour after walking into the delivery suite, Dr Tseng made, broke the waterbag/ membrane and with 2 pushes... Presenting Baby Tey... 

速战速决！

After thought: Was really happy that I managed to survive through those contractions without invasive pain killers. The gas mask was not as stinky as before and actually deep breathing does help - even though I must say it's really really damn difficult for me to breathe when the pain essentially "took my breathe away". Thanks hubby for allowing me to squeeze yr fingers when the contractions came... ;)