Sunday, July 18, 2010

My 35 weeks -- KJ arrives!

34 weeks 6 days, King brought me for Gynae check up as usual. The moment we stepped into Dr Yap's room, she told us right away, Wan Teen, you have to deliver your baby today or tonight! We were shocked! My blood pressure was high -- around 160/110 and the protein level found from my urine was high too -- more than 2. My eyes were puffy and my face was swollen -- I thought I was having water retention. All these indicated that I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) and the only solution is to deliver the baby. Dr Yap ultrasound KJ again and KJ was doing fine (fitness, heart beat) but he was underweight with 1.6 kg merely at his gestational week. And because of all the reasons put together, Dr Yap demand King to send me to UMMC right away without thinking twice. Dr Yap wrote a reference letter to a Gynae and she rang the Gynae for KIV arrangement. Everything seems unusual to me. I was wheeled by a nurse and King sent me to UMMC right after that. Dr Yap was praying for us, I know that. She told me before seeing me off, "I want you to deliver your baby in UMMC. They have many good doctors and you'll save a lot of money, trust me.".

The minute I was arrived in UMMC, King wheeled me to the labor ward. The medical team did all the arrangement for us. From that minute on, I was monitored closely by the medical team for blood pressure reading and pre-eclampsia symptoms. They sent me to general ward for a few hours monitoring. King went back home and brought me my hospital bag.

Around 7 pm, I started to have nausea -- one of the pre-eclampsia symptoms. I rang the nurse and the team transfer me to labor ward. I sms King quickly that I might deliver KJ that night. He's going to be a father very very soon!

At midnight, I started to have gastric pain -- another pre-eclampsia symptom. I was nervous and the medical team decided to deliver KJ right away for safety purpose. Otherwise, KJ and I will be in danger. The hospital rang King right away and the medical team prepared all the equipments for me. I told myself that, KJ, you are going to be alright, mommy will meet you soon, let's work things out together!

I finally saw King again when I was bed-wheeled to the operation theatre. King gave me a smile and I know I'm gonna be alright. The operation theatre was damn cold. I was excited but nervous. I just couldn't wait to meet my little KJ. The operation didn't take too long. I was told by the team that KJ is smaller than other babies. I heard KJ's crying noise and I was happy. But I didn't see KJ right away. I didn't think too much. I just want KJ to be safe and healthy.

I was bed-wheeled to another room for blood pressure monitoring right after my delivery. I was there for about 15 to 20 minutes. I was conscious and I wish to see King. After that, I was transfer back to labor ward for monitoring again. King came to my bed after seeing KJ. He showed me KJ's pictures and videos, and we are very happy that KJ is fit and healthy. KJ can breath by himself without using oxygen supply.

Next day, I saw another medical team standing next to my bed after I came back from toilet. One of the doctors asked me, how do I feel now. I told them that I felt dizziness and tiredness. The specialist who is named PC Tan told me that I developed HELLP Syndromes during my delivery. I didn't know what the heck HELLP Syndromes is. They told me that my liver enzyme is shoot up tremendously, my platelets count drops seriously to classification 3 (the most critical) and my red blood cell counts drop. This can be very serious!!! I asked the team, am I going to be alright? Dr Tan explained to me what they are going to do the next. I'll have 2 packs of blood transfusion and steroid injections. Blood test is a must everyday for making sure everything gets back to normal. I was shocked, still. Why am I having such a complicated and tough delivery?! Before the team left, I requested a doctor to explain everything to King.

King was informed and he came to me. I was comforted. King did wiki HELLP Syndromes at home that night and he was worried. Fortunately, I was transfer to general ward after the blood transfusion was done on the same day. Since then, I stayed in the general ward for another 6 nights. It seemed like a year long to me!

Mom got to know about the delivery and she rushed to KL for visiting. Thank God mom was here for help! And, thank god again, my confinement lady rushed to KL for help and start working! Help is coming, I told myself. Since then, King was my meal delivery guy. Mom went back to hometown when my confinement lady was here. I'm glad that part of the things were settled down, although I needed to be hospitalized.

KJ stayed in the hospital with me. So I wasn't alone. I started to breastfeed him. But my blood pressure didn't drop to normal reading. I hate to be on medication but I've no choice. After a week, the medical team discharged me and I have to go back for check up after 2 weeks time. I was happy about the go-home news! However, KJ needed to be stay in the hospital for weight gaining purpose -- he weighed 1.62 kg merely. My breast milk was not enough for KJ. And that's why KJ didn't gain weight accordingly. For safety and healthy reason, we decided to put KJ in the hospital for a few days. Hopefully the team will be good, they better be! I couldn't stop crying while leaving KJ in the incubator...... I felt guilty and sorry for leaving him!!! Thank God I've King and a few supporting friends. I was comforted that I need to build up my health before welcoming KJ home. And I promised King and KJ that I'll do that.

Home sweet home! I rested and slept well at home. I was the breast milk suppler and King was the milk delivery guy. I visited KJ every day happily. Oh my, little KJ was famous in the Pediatric ward because of his active kicking and punching, and his tiny body. Many people came to King and me when we were there.

My blood pressure has dropped to normal reading after a few days fully resting. And another good news was KJ can come home!!! This is the day that we have hoping for so long! When KJ came home, his 4 grandparents were at our house for welcoming. =)

Four of us were together, finally! King, me, Coby and KJ!!!!! This is one family! I had a tough delivery and I have a lot of thought after all these. Thank God that KJ and I survived and we are recovering well! Thank King for supporting and everything! Thank Coby for cooperation! Thank my family for praying! Thank all my friends for praying, blessing, phone calling and everything! It's blessing in disguised! I wanna thank another important person -- Dr Yap! She's the one who safe us and she saves King's wallet! The medical bill turns out cheap and affordable! We are blessed that we went to a good and ethical doctor!

Life is a celebration. Living healthily has became a wish to me and King. We never thought of any serious illness which will strike any of us suddenly but it had happened. We are blessed that we've overcame the worst situation together. And now, we've one new family member -- KJ! No matter what had happened, we welcome KJ and we are happy that we've extent our family to a greater height.

Thank you all! We wish all of you happy and healthy! =)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Wan Teen,
Didn't know that you went through so much. Your story moves my heart.

Suyun

kelly said...

你的Birth Story 很精彩咧。。。虽然我不是第一次听到这故事,但读了你的Birth Story 我还是心惊胆跳。。。不过还好,KJ是个tough宝宝,你也是个勇敢的妈妈。。。将来一定会很好的。。。。加油!

sheenyit said...

看了这篇真是为你们捏了把冷汗,为母则强,我们远比自已想像中来得坚强勇敢!
最重要的是母子平安!祝福!