My mother-in-law insisted she followed us. My intention was to just get my pain checked. After all my follow-up check up was just 2 days away. I was really positive the hospital would just send me back home.
During my ante-natal class, we were told that in the event of contraction pain or any sort of pain, we were supposed to head straight to the delivery suite, not the Emergency Department. I don't think my water broke, and we were not in a hurry. I was still able to walk :)
Anand took his time to reach the hospital, just because I told him so. By the time we reached Bangsar (which normally would take only 10 minutes for him) it was already 15 minutes past 11pm - 10th of December. We parked the car at the hospital basement and only brought what is needed with us, leaving the bags and the rest of our "hospital must-haves" behind.
We took the lift and headed to the delivery ward. I informed the nurse in charge that I was having contraction with short intervals and experienced some stabbing pain. She took some details and guided me to the delivery room. In Pantai Hospital, there are only single delivery rooms. If you're admitted and are in active labor, that's where you'll be placed until the baby comes screaming :) The delivery suite has a bed, some machines and place for 2 people to sit and accompany the mother in pain. There is also an attached bathroom with hot shower. It was very comfortable.
My mother in law stayed by my side all the time. It was very late and yet she tried to be awake to take care of me. The mid-wife then came in a short while later and hooked my belly with foetal heart monitor as well as contraction monitor. She then came back after a while to check how far I've dilated. I was being monitored for almost an hour, well into midnight the next day - 11th of December.
The contraction pain by now was getting stronger and I had the inkling it's going to be a long night. The mid-wife checked on me again. She informed me that I am in active labor and that I have dilated 3 cm. She also gave my doctor a call to update on my condition. My doctor has advised the mid-wife to get me admitted and monitored! It was 1am, Anand went down to the admission counter to get me admitted and handle all the necessary arrangements. And I was hungry.
Like I said, it was a long night... I was given the hospital robe, which I wore just for the experience of it. Anand stayed with me the entire night, while we asked my mother in law to get back home first. She promised to bring some chicken soup for me in the morning. Since I was being strapped to the monitors and what not, I could hardly go anywhere. Several hours later, the mid-wife came to check again - I was dilated by 4cm.
It was 7am when my doctor came. She was happy that I went into labor naturally and that she didn't have to induce me. She checked and confirmed I was still dilated around 4cm. The progress was slow, but she assured me that I will deliver on the same day, no doubt about it. She broke my water bag. I felt warm gush of liquid and was so afraid to get up. My doctor however encouraged me to get up, and get walking to speed up the process.
And so I did all sorts of stunts that I thought would help ease my labor - much to Anand's amusement. He took pictures, lots of it, of me walking up and down the ward corridor. Of me squatting and standing to ease the pain. Of me with serious look. Of me with i'm-going-to-choke you look.
As the clock ticked away my contraction pain got more intense and more frequent. It was unbearable. Anand wanted me to opt for pain reliever. I refused, wanting to experience childbirth no matter how painful it gets. But then it got worse.
