Baby Jed with his first Bottle

According to Wikipedia, Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. I’ve also learned from reading and watching documentaries that breastfed babies grew up with higher level of IQ than those fed in bottles. But not all newly moms can breastfeed. Count the working moms on these and maybe, ME.

My first attempt to breastfeed – few hours after my delivery. 

My mom breastfed me and my other siblings till she can produce milk which is good. Not only breastfeeding will be easier, new parents can also save lots rather than buying formula milk.

I struggles in breastfeeding. I have inverted nipple and since baby Jed started feeding in bottle, I had a hard time trying to latch him in my breast. I remember a couple of late nights with the midwives at the Maternity ward when they are teaching me the proper way of breastfeeding. Around 10 or more of them handle me but Baby Jed is a hard work when in comes to breastfeeding.

Second Attempt of Breastfeeding (for Colostrum) at Recovery ward

I remember one night when two of the midwives incharge alternately tried to make Jed go on my breast but was unsuccessful. From breastfeeding positions, to using nipple shield. We did them all but no luck. I ended up feeding baby Jed in a bottle and decided to try expressing milk by using Electric Breast Pump provided by the Hospital ( Medela – Electric Pump). I;m just glad that I had express all the colostrum and fed them to Baby Jed before they have released me.

BTW, Colostrum is the first breast milk to appear after a baby is born, colostrum is thick and yellow, rich in proteins, minerals and antibodies. I’ve managed to express it manually and by using machine which worried me on the first 3 days as I can’t express plenty of it. Only few drops and around 30 ml the most I’ve expressed but the pediatrician says not to worry as these milk is high in protein, sugar etc that the baby needs even if he only gets few drops of it. ( Thank’s God).

Midwife Helen feeding Baby Jed and me expressing milk in the background

Baby Jed using plastic milk glass while drinking Colostrum

During those time that I’m in the hospital, though I’m still trying to feed baby Jed on my breast I am also expressing milk just to make sure my baby is getting enough. I am using syringe or baby glass ( like the one in the picture ) to feed him so he will not get used to using teats and by doing that I’m hopeful that he will still try to feed on my breast. I was wrong. Because till we get home he didn’t try to latch on my nipple. I always end up having a sore breast and express milk for him.

2 weeks after, My health visitor told me to go to a breastfeeding specialist to try and get baby Jed on my breast. He did while we are there using a Medela nipple shield. When we get home, he does feed on me using the nipple shield but hes not getting enough milk. My breast was so full that it feels like exploding while my operation is also sore. The next time the health visitor came, she brought me an electric pump to make it easier for me to feed Jed. It does help but If new moms there can still try the baby to feed on you, I would suggest you to do so as expressing milk can be easy. You express as many as you want and freeze it. The disadvantage is that you will end up producing more milk and then it will slows down like what had happened to me. I don’t know if one of the reasons why my milk stops is taking too much medications but the health visitor told me its because of milk expressing. I can still express milk but decided to stop it to prevent complications with my operation.

Hmmm… A dozen of Red Roses Again for me

A Kiss

Just proud to receive these pretty flowers like me ( eherm!)

The Flowers….

And The chocolates which I shared to everyone..

Just me posing…

I am really lucky to be married to a wonderful husband. I won’t ask for more. Just stay sweet and loving as he is and I’ll try to be a better wife if not best as much as I could.

The pictures I posted here was taken March 1, 2011. I did gave him a card with a £20 note and an ashtray silver stand gift for his new smoking room but you’ll find out why I didn’t manage to take a picture of it.

BTW, here’s a short message for my Hunny Bunny :

To you Jamie, thank you for being patient on my mood swings. For the love and for always taking care of me. For all the effort and surprises you bought for me for those 3 long years of being together.. You may not be the best husband but you will always be the only man I will love and care FOREVER … I love you hunny bunny..

It was 2:00 am in the morning when Me and habibi decided to sleep that night ( March 2) watching the last end of of Midnight Sun. A bit tired but my huge belly won’t let me settle anyway. After an hour, I’ve decided to go for a loo but something is not right.. The pain I’m feeling wasn’t the normal thing I’m feeling everyday. “ Is this what they call contractions??” I asked myself. Let’s review the meaning of this scary word for most pregnant women who’s nearly due.. REWIND from our Lamaze lessons CONTRACTIONS/LABOUR CONTRACTIONS  is the periodic tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscle, the largest muscle in a woman’s body. Something triggers the pituitary gland to release a hormone called oxytocin that stimulates the uterine tightening. It is often described as a cramping or tightening sensation that starts in the back and moves around to the front in a wave-like manner.

Seems like I knew what it is now. I think its TIME. So I’ve tried to convinced myself it might be a false alarm. So I timed the contractions and the interval of each contractions is every 10 minutes at 3:53am… I go back to the bedroom and wake Jamie to tell about the pain but since he’s really tired, his answer is “… Julie (my Midwife) says take 2 paracetamol and tried to go back to sleep..

That’s what I did but only took 1 (500mg) Paracetamol. the interval is getting closer to each other so when I next go for a loo, I told Jamie I think its real contractions now. He then told me, “… Julie says take Paracetamol and go for a bath..” and he goes back to sleep. I didn’t do anything but I kept sitting in the pregnancy ball trying to ease the pain..

At 8:00 am I told Jamie to wake up coz I couldn’t handle it anymore. The contractions is every 5 minutes that time.. I took my Grey sleeping dress and my pregnancy tights and had my bath. Jamie then woke up not in mood from waking him up too early. I told him we need to go at 8:30am by hook or by crook!

My hospital and baby bag was already in the car booth since our last trip from Wirral, England. So I just took my bag, camera and camcorder. The pain is getting worst but we manage to get our breakfast at McDonalds.

Around 9:00am, we are buzzing the Labour Ward at Bangor Hospital. The midwife in-charge says why we are there for. Jamie says, my wife thinks she’s on labour. The ward was pretty strict so they let us in and put us in one of the room. Ask me to wee for urine sample and put 2 belts which monitors the baby’s heart beat and contractions ( don’t ask me what it is as I have any Idea). I’m more focused on my contractions which is every 2-5 minutes.

Me at the First room I stayed in.

The midwife is getting back and forth getting blood pressure and urine sample. She then told me in the end that my BP is pretty high and that they’ve found plenty of protein on my urine. I wasn’t nervous at all. I am actually feeling confident about my delivery. And hey, My BIG day is also our 3 years wedding anniversary. I’m excited actually!

My Blood Pressure at that time.

Labour pains is really horrible. Words is not enough to define the pain. I must say it’s unexplainable feeling that a woman would feel.

This is how I look like during contractions – thanks to my Hubby for massaging my back. It does helps me relax.

DRIP EXPERIENCE. This is one of the horrible part of my BIG day. A young Indian doctor came in with the midwife to put the drip in as they think I would need it earlier so i won’t get dehydrated. I am brave the first time. I told myself this will only be once, might s well feel all the pains on my first child. The Indian doctor had this huge needle on her hand that make me scared. So I look away. Ouch!!!! The pain is no joke. It was really extreme pain. And only to find out that the doctor had to do it again because she missed the vein.. What???!! When she poke me the second time, I was shaking and burst into tears. Jamie said that doctor was shaking when she did it the second time so the midwife ask another doctor to do it right.. Midwife Helen was telling me that its not really easy to put that drip perfectly. So here comes the second doctor. I was still in tears but I just hold Jamie’s hand really tight. This is the time when a pregnant in labour and in pain should need their partners.

The first doctor who did the first drip

The second try

This is the third try of the second Indian Doctor ( missed it again!!)

So It was successful! Thanks God… I had my lunch at 12 noon and tried to relax while having this labour contractions. I’m trying to bear the pain and fell asleep when I felt something broke.. Gosh! My water is broke at 2:05 pm. I don’t know but I feel great.. the feeling is unexplainable.. They’ve moved me to the actual labour room. This time, a new set of midwives are looking after me. My two birth partners ( Nanay and Jamie ) was bored waiting for Little Jamie to arrive. But there you go, I thought I was  nearly the end of my BIG day. But I think, It’s only the beginning..

Checking the dilation.. Gosh! I don’t have any idea that checking the dilation was extremely painful. I’m not scaring those expecting but it was really painful specially when you are on a normal labour. As for me, I chose not to take the enthonox (gas and air) coz I thought I can deliver little Jamie via normal delivery. I was wrong! When they tried to inject water and salt from the drip they’ve made on my left hand, the second Indian doctor missed it again. It goes lumpy which means that the water and salt was trapped on the area they’ve poke.. It is horrendous! I’ve undergone every bit of pain since early morning and now they had to re-do the drip again. I don’t think I can handle it anymore. so I decided to have epidural at 6:00pm.

Epidural is an injection into the epidural space of the spine, as an epidural anaesthetic. When I had this injection, I felt great. It was pretty scary when they are doing it but the Anaesthetist was great. Jamie asked them to put anaesthetic as well when they do the drip on my right hand which was successful. I was poked many times not to mention all the blood they are taking from me. But I am more relaxed.

The Midwives from 2-9pm after my Epidural

Me and my birth partners – nanay and dad to be

Another set of midwife took over at 9:00 pm. Jamie, Nanay and I was asking the midwife if its possible that the baby will arrive before 12 midnight. She told us it won’t be possible as I’m not yet fully dilated. “ The baby wants a date of his own you know..” she then joked.

12:30am when I was finally fully dilated. The midwife told me that we will start pushing anytime soon. So, it started and I was pushing till 2:00 am but nothing happened. I am in epidural but I can also feel pains. Pains on my ribs and down near my left thigh is killing me whenever I push hard. The midwife already saw the head of little Jamie and told us he’s got dark hair but never did come out normally. I tell you delivering little Jamie is really hard to the highest level. I am losing strength actually. They called a doctor to check on me and find out that the baby is is sliding back whenever I stop pushing. She waited for another 15 minutes but there’s no development. I was rushed in the emergency room for EMERGENCY CESAEREAN as the baby’s heartbeat is dropping down.

EMERGENCY CESAREAN. is a surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a baby.

I never imagined I am going through this stage. They did everything though in fairness to the midwives and doctors. The doctor even tried forceps to deliver little Jamie but it was unsuccessful. The doctor said when the baby slides back, he’s hiding at the back of my spine and if they force it, they might accidentally break my spine. So off they start the emergency caesarean. They’ve asked me to take loads of drugs ( medicine ) and countless injections. There’s around 6-7 midwives and 2 doctors plus Jamie on my side. Yes I am awake.. I can feel and hear everything they are saying but I am really drowsy and on high with all this drugs running in my veins. Not to mention that I have nothing to eat since 12 noon. Gosh! my energy level is depleted!

Oh Dear! The state of the new mom after the Emergency Cesaerean and Baby Jed

BABY CRY. After few minutes of hearing this operating instrument and discussions between midwives and doctors, I heard the baby cries. When Jamie saw him, he told me he look asian and healthy. Oh boy, my baby finally came out though I am still undergoing stitches, his cries sounds like music to my ears. I am really drowsy and puking. I can hear my blood squirts and can feel the operating table moving left and right. But what matters to me now is that the baby is out and healthy. It was exactly 2:49am when they actually got baby out. They wrapped him in a towel and congratulate me for my healthy little baby. I cried and kissed him.

Baby Jed @ 2:49 am

Midwife Ellen, the new dad and my gorgeous baby..

Operation was finished, but my lower extremities is still dead. I can’t move. And i’m starting to feel sore in the area where I had my stitches. Flippin’ heck, I didn’t know it will be as rough as this. I lost 1.2 litres of blood and had a damaged bladder in the end. So they are monitoring me while I’m in the recovery area. 2 days after, I had blood transfusion as my haemoglobin dropped at 6.1

Baby, me and the midwives when they’ve moved me to the Recovery Area

BP Check up while on my Blood transfusion ( had 3 packs ) with one of the Midwife

BLUE LIGHT. At day 4, while im recovering, they’ve found out that little Jamie was a little bit Jaundice. A Yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes caused by deposition of bile salts in these tissues. It occurs as a symptom of various diseases, such as hepatitis, that affect the processing of bile. Also called icterus. When will we be able to go home?? So I then agreed that they put little Jamie to the Blue light so we can get rid of his Jaundism. After nearly 2 days of treating him, he was fine. The Pediatrician says we can go home soon and that we dont need to worry about the baby as most asian babies are a bit jaundice..

Baby Jed on the Blue LED Light treatment

Finally, we are allowed to go home on day 7. It was nice to be back home. The staff of Bangor hospital in maternity section was all nice and helpful but as they say, theres no place like home. Now we have all the time in the world to cuddle and play with out bundle of joy.

Welcome Home Baby Jed James Moroney …

I am assigned to do one menu which is the Pork Kebabs or Barbeque while nanay has to do the other menu. My bulging belly is at  41cm and I did around 101 sticks of BBQ. Not to bad ei? Tatay had to cook it though. And Habibi treated me to hair cut.

Here’s my new haircut… Not sure how will stay like that but it was nice being pampered  

Me and my bump … Love this picture

The pork kebabs! Visitors love this recipe

Nanay , the Bride to be , Rachel and me & Bump ..

Me and habibi… really tired in this pic. it was indeed a very long day for a preggy like me to stay up this late but we had a good time at the party. BTW, at least there’s no sign of little Jamie coming out tonight

To John and Rachel, congratulations!

I am full term now.. Any moment I will be delivering little Jamie. Hospital bag packed, Car seat already attached, Nursery room ready and my Ibufropen and Pregnancy ball are also ready on my side in case I needed it for quick ease of pain during contractions. Me and Jamie have already attended 2 lamaze ( breathing class ) lesson to make sure that we will not be both shocked in the delivery. It’s kinda scary after we saw the actual delivery via normal delivery. Jamie thinks its gross. Will he thinks the same on my Delivery? hmmm let’s wait and see.

Surprise?? Yeah I’ve got surprise from him. Guess what?

A box ?

Yay! A Silver D&G Bracelet Watch.. Lovely!

Flower & Chocolate Delivery.. A Dozen of red roses! It’s been a long time since I received a proper flower arrangement

A Kiss on Valentines Day ..

Chinese Buffet meal courtesy of Nanay & Tatay

Our Valentines day weren’t too bad despite my size.. It’s pretty hard getting ready, wobbling like a duck when we go there but its worth it. We enjoyed our hearts day. Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

I had my midwife visit last February 2, and it was a wake up call for both of us ( Jamie & me) that our baby will soon arrive in 2-3 weeks time. She explained us what to do in the upcoming delivery and asked us to support each other on my delivery day.

As we go on in our birth planning, anxiety hits me. I started getting nervous when she explained me about different types of giving birth. From normal to cesaerian. I stick to using epidural without knowing the disadvantages of it. All I want is to have a normal delivery that will heal me as soon as possible. But there are some points she spointed out in the whole conversation. That if theres no progress in my delivery, I have to choose between vacuum, forceps, cesaerian or emergency cesaerian which will put me to sleep while delivering my little one. I dont particularly like any of these last choices but I dont want forceps and vacuum. I dont wanna hurt my baby in doing this. I think I’d choose the cesaerian optiom if worst come to worst. I am indeed scared but i am more scared in harming little Jamie. God-willing, everything will be normal ang my baby will cooperate in D-day.

Gosh, it’s really near! And at the moment I have whooping 65 kilos. No wonder why it’s so difficult to walk around. Just from bedroom to toilet is a hardwork. Not to mention that I have to ask Habibi to push me out of the couch when I want to stand. whew!

How about the Dad to be? Oh well, it sunk in already that the time is near. So that day when the midwife visited us, he started building the baby cot. I was happy to see him working and focused on being a dad. I asked him to swap bed side as well as We plan to put the baby in our bed room in the first few months. But he insisted no. He wants to sleep near little Jamie and was planning to just put the baby with me if the baby wakes up for feeding times. That was so sweet ei?

Anyway, we can’t really wait to see our little one. who will he look like? hmmm let’s find out on the delivery day.

This week is much more hectic. As I was busy trying to achieve one of my last wish this Christmas. Hmmp! Not another baby of course… My little one still inside me hehehe.. But it’s something to do with my upcoming delivery. I wish Papa Jesus will grant my last request this Christmas. ( Please do Dear God…)

Week 27 here I Come! Or should I say welcome Third Trimester. With my bulging belly that is now bigger than last week, I’m beginning to need my Hubby’s help in pulling and pushing me out of the chair. I’m always out of balance when I stand as I am now heavy too. Not to mention, my little one don’t give me a chance to have a complete rest especially at night where he is more active on his moves. Much stronger and starting to feel pain every time he kicks or pedal on my belly.. Still enjoying it though but not when its 2 am and he’s trying to kick my bladder..

3 months from now, I will be cuddling my little Jamie. I wish he will be healthy. Can’t really wait!

BTW, a friend of mine just had her CS Delivery 2 weeks ago. As I heard from her, she was in agony and terrified on her experience.. uahhhh!! I’m scared! But I can do anything for my Little one.. I love him so much and I can bear anything..

My little one at 5 months

Yes, that’s how he looks like at the moment. And yes we manage to find out my cute angel’s gender and it was a HE. Baby Boy!

Habibi was chuffed to know the gender during the ultra sound scan as the midwife showed the willy of my baby. All along I thought it was a baby girl but completely shocked when the midwife confirmed the Gender. Habibi’s grin was from ear to ear after the scan and a little more excited. He was excited to see the baby in flesh.. his soon to come football buddy!

Find out what’s next on my pregnancy as I reach the last phase of my Second Trimester. I feel lots of kicks more and more everyday. He responds often whenever I rub my belly and whenever he’s starving. But when I place Habibi’s hand, he just hid all the time. Like he was playing hide and seek with daddy.. really amazing!.. I Love my little one so much that I can’t stop thinking how will he look like..

Whoa, motherhood is indeed a magical thing. One of the best thing a woman can ever experience. It was hard but I’m sure all my friends out there who has told me that every hardship I felt on this pregnancy is worth it once I give birth. I can’t wait for that moment to happen.