The Surprise Pregnancy
I found out about my surprise pregnancy in the most unique way…during a routine check up in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where I work. The first test, a urine test, did not show any signs of pregnancy, so I happily went on to do an X-Ray, without realising that I was pregnant.
When I came back to see the Doctor, she told me that I might be pregnant! So we took two more urine tests, both which showed positive results. I was really astonished as my first urine test and pregnancy kit test had shown negative results.
While I was extremely excited, I was also a little worried as I had used the X-Ray. The doctor sent me to see the Gyneacologist in SGH immediately. Miraculously, the X-Ray had not affected my baby and I went home to share the good news with my family. You can only begin to imagine how delighted my husband, Tahir and I were to know about this surprise pregnancy.
Pregnancy Concerns
My surprise pregnancy progressed swiftly for the next few days, but suddenly, it took a turn for the worse. I started bleeding as though I was having my menstruation cycles. In addition, I could not walk or stand for long. The longer I stood or the further I walked, the more I bled. I was so confused and weak. Fortunately, I had very supportive superiors at work. They granted me a month of no pay leave due to this unfortunate situation.
While the bleeding stopped once I hit the 16th week, the nightmare did not end there. I started to bleed again sometime during the 28th week. Because of the erratic bleeding, my Doctors thought that I might be having a pre-term delivery, but by God’s grace, I managed to carry my boy to full term delivery.
The Big Day
In the 39th week, I headed back to SGH to have a detailed check-up with my gynaecologist, Dr Michele Lee. She was a little alarmed that I had not experienced any real contractions. So I was sent to the labour ward for a CTG as well as a scan to check my water levels. Only then did my gynaecologist realise: my water bag had actually broken!
Since I had not dilated yet, I was given a choice of prostin which they inserted through my vagina. I was told to walk around so that I could dilate faster. However, at 7 the next morning, my cervix had only dilated to 2cm. I was so frustrated that I requested to be induced by 8am, which my gynaecologist agreed to.
I started to feel the pain of contractions at about 2pm. By then my cervix had already dilated to about 4cm. At about 5pm, I was 7cm dilated, and I decided to take an epidural. Upon hearing my decision, my mother, who the kind staff at SGH had allowed to enter the delivery room, said this to me:
“Ayu, if you could prove your love to me, dad and your son please do not take epidural”.
A Drug-Free Delivery
After hearing that I decided to skip the epidural, and opted for pulling my husband’s tee shirt and grabbing his hand for dear life instead! At around 9pm, I started to push. My gynaecologist, who was trying to be supportive, said, “Pace yourself Khairun, this will take about an hour or so…”. I was so stunned and could not help but yell out, “What, another hour of suffering?” During the final moments, senior midwife Zaiton was such a big help. It was due to her shouting, “I see the head! I see the head!!” that made me continue with the pushing all the way, till I heard my son’s first cry.
When I first saw my baby I started crying so loudly that even my gynaecologist joked, “I thought you are supposed to cry while pushing?” But I couldn’t laugh or answer her…I was simply too fixated on my little bundle of joy – my little prince. The whole world suddenly became empty. It was only me and my little boy.
Now that I think about it, the whole pregnancy journey was such a surreal experience. I am so glad that I had such a supportive husband. There was no way I would have been able to do it with out him. And while the pregnancy was quite rough, I have no regrets. Can’t wait for us to have our number two!
Daddy-yo’s perspective:
How was the pregnancy journey?
It was lovely at the same time scary.
Advice from a husbands perspective?
Have mercy to your spouse during labour! Please! *laughs*
Any regrets?
I would be out of my mind if I were to say that I had regrets.
How did you feel when you first saw your child?
No words can explain the amount of joy that I felt. I was happy, proud, glad and afraid. Such a weird concoction of emotions.
Did the experience bring you guys closer as a couple?
Definitely! How could I not be closer to her when she has given me a heir from my family’s bloodline? I am so proud of my wife as she is a strong woman, both mentally and physically.
