Mateen's Birth Story

Latest news..my son will be discharged tmrw!
So, before his homecoming, I've decided to pen down his birth story while I have the time. Here is the story..

7 September 2010- Munckin @ 33 weeks
7.45pm- felt light headed after my birthday dinner.
8.15pm- while watching tv, felt a gush a fluid running down my legs. Rushed to the toilet, panties were wet. But no contractions. Don't think was labour, but was worried.
8.45pm- headed to the nearest clinic. Doc said to monitor leakage. Did ultra scan, baby was fine. Wore pad for the night.

8 September 2010
5am- Pad was "heavily" wet. Decided to see Dr Z that morning.
9am- Dr Z checked on baby, he's fine. Took sample, confirmed the leakage. Was given antibiotics for the next 5 days.

9- 16 September 2010
Leakage began to lessen, from every hour to 3-4 hours duration. There's improvement, but leakage didn't stop.
Made appointment with Dr Z on the 20th. Was scared that baby will be induced.
Was on AL. so took time to buy the finalized things for Munckin. Managed to get almost everything. Room was ready, hospital bags were packed. Anticipating on Munckin's arrival.

17 September 2010
4.00am- Started to feel contractions, every 5 minutes.
4.15am- The contractions stopped. It was false alarm.

11pm- wrote a 'letter' for my dearest son.
8pm- started to pack for Hard Rock Hotel, Penang. Looking forward for the short getaway.

18 September 2010- Munckin @34 weeks
12.00 am- watched ANTM reruns
1.00am- attempted to sleep, but failed.
2.00am- decided to do solat hajat. Prayed for Munckin's safe delivery, regardless whenever he comes out.
2.45am- finally managed to sleep.

3.55am- Started to feel 1 minute contractions every 5 minutes. Started to do breathing techniques. Monitored contractions in case it was false labour.
4.45am- It has been more than 30 minutes, contractions didn't stop. Woke Mr Bert up. Called my mom. Managed to brush teeth, change attire & pack a little. Lucky thing hospital bags were ready.

5.05am- drove all the way to the hospital via Federal Highway. Roads were clear, but Mr Bert drove at 140km/h. Kept doing the breathing techniques in the car, contractions continued every 5 minutes.
5.40am- Reach DEMC. Sat on the wheelchair and wheeled to the labour room #202.

5.50am- changed to hospital gown. Nurses checked Munckin's heartbeat, all was good. I had slight high pressure & fever. Opening was 4cm. Mr Bert started to smses the important ppl to say that I'm in labour.

Nurses asked if I wanted painkillers, I declined. Kept on with the breathing techniques "hee hee hoo hoo hoo", which helps a lot. Also in between, read surah Al Zalazah & Salawat.

6.50am-Started to feel harder contractions (mcm nak berak yg sakit!!). Mama arrived. Pain was getting intolerable. Held on Mr Bert's hand super tight.

7.10am- Dr N finally arrived. Opening was 9cm. Baby's head was crowning. Nurses & Dr prepared me into labour position, and I closed my eyes the entire time. All I could hear was..

"Okay Pn Helena, give me one hard push, don't stop. The baby's head is engaged. 1, 2, go.."
" Keep your chin close to the chest, and push.."
" Almost there meen, one more push.."

I pushed hard. I screamed a little.

7.22am- After 3 hard pushes, my baby arrived to the world. He cried a bit, and stopped. Felt a gush of warm fluids coming out too. He was wrapped in green cloth, opened his tiny eyes & looked at us. He looked a little bit blue-ish/white-ish. I said to my baby

"Hey sayang.. nih lah baby mummy yang tak sabar sangat nak keluar ye?"

Mr Bert kissed my forehead several times.
Mateen was placed into the incubator, and his Apgar score was 7/8. Blood type "O".
The nurses find that he wasn't crying as much as he should, plus he was born pre-term, so decided to bring him up to the nursery for further investigation. Due to his rather fragile stage, Doc said is best not for him to be held at the moment. Mateen was wheeled out. The doc gave me 5 stiches. 3 hours after contractions, and now I am officially a mom. Syukur Alhamdulillah..

7.40am- Mama came into the labour room, was shocked to know that the delivery happend so fast! She only read 1 page of the Yassin, and she heard Mateen's cry. Started to sms the important ppl about Mateen's arrival.

8.00am- Called Gina & Mikel to announce my maternity leave. Mikel was shocked to hear me, as he said I sounded "very healthy" after delivery. Dad & Dzhofier arrived.

8.30am- Was wheeled out into room 305. Started to sms to others.

10am- Finally, managed to meet my son in the NICU ward. He was placed into an Oxygen box cause he needs breathing support due to his immature lungs. Can't believe that a 2.36kg baby was inside my tummy all these while!

note: Lucky thing I didn't have contractions on the way to Penang. Imagine giving birth on the Penang bridge! heehee... I guess HRH's getaway can wait, Mateen wanted to rock my world instead! :D

******

So, that's generally how it all happened for Mateen's arrival.
I remembered reading this article from Baby Centre just a few days before Mateen's delivery.

"If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. "


Alhamdulillah.. that is true. Mateen has been in the NICU ward for 4 days.

He had to wear the "xyped" for 3 days to support his oxygen supply. Look at all the straps around his body.. cian my baby!

These are the machines to moniter his breathing and heart beat.

He had jaundice from the 4th day onwards, and had to be under the light for 3 days.

He also had to be on anti-biotic due to his pre-term condition and the suspected infection from my leakage (lucky thing it was negative, so no infection). And finally, the day I've been waiting for, he will be discharged tmrw insyallah. That's a total of 7 days in the hospital!

Of course as a mom, I was rather emotional through out the week. At times, I would go to see Mateen & tried to hide my tears when the nurses were around. That time, I could only hold his fingers or toes, and would tell Mateen to be strong. It was overwhelming for me, especially when I couldn't hold him in my arms just yet.


Finally when he was 4 days old, and he was off the "xyped", I held my son for the first time. I feel so blessed to be given such a beautiful baby, Masyallah. I remembered clearly when Mateen opened his eyes & looked at me, he gave a good 'stare'. .perhaps trying to say "So, this is how my mummy looks like..". He is such an adorable little thing.




Tomorrow, I shall officially start my duty as a parent, as a mom. Welcome parenthood, this is when the reality starts....wish me luck folks! ;)

My baby boy who loves to sleep!


Mateen si bulat. :P
Have a good weekend everybody!

Munckin arrives!!

I guess Munckin read my letter than decided to make a grand entrance the next day!

Alhamdulillah, I have given birth to my son
Ahmed Mateen on 18th September 2010, 7:22am
@ DEMC, Shah Alam.
He was born at 34 weeks, normal delivery.
He weighs 2.36kg, length 48cm.

Our first photo when Mateen was 3 hours old.
Can't believe I am a mom now! :D

Will update more when soon Insyallah...

A letter for Munckin

A letter for my little baby who is still in my tummy..

Dear Munckin,

How are you my dear baby? I figured that you are asleep, as you have not been as active as you were earlier this morning during my first's Braxton Hicks.I thought you were coming out today! Anyways, Mummy is enjoying my last day of annual leave at home, while Daddy has gone off to work. It was raining this morning, a good weather to sleep in, and we both enjoyed that, didn't we?

As you know Munckin dear, all of us, including Tuk Mak, Atuk, Tuk Ma & Tuk Ba are very worried about you. It has been a week and a half since mummy had leakage. Although with the doctor's medication, it has subside, but it has not completely stopped. If I tend to do more vigorous activity, I will leak more, if not, I will leak bit by bit within the span for 4 hours which is an improvemnt from before (every hour leakage).

Mummy has rescheduled the appointment with Dr Z to Monday afternoon. His last words are still toying in my mind "If the leakage does not stop, we might have to deliver the baby". At this point, I am not sure how much leakage "damage" has occurred, but I hope the air ketumban it is still sufficient for you until you are 36 weeks.

Ideally, I would like you to be born not as a pre-term baby. And, I would like you to reach the weight of 3.4kg, just like Mummy & Daddy when we were born. Last week, you weigh 2.3kg at 33 weeks. Imagine if you need to be delivered by next week, you will just be a tiny little baby, less than 3kg. Also, I would so much want you to be delivered normally.. no induce, no operation, just pure labour pain. But, that is something I have no control of.

But of course, Mummy can't be selfish. Your health & safety comes first before anything else. If you are required to be delivered earlier upon doctor's advice, then Mummy will accept the reality and proceed with recommended procedure.

Munckin, you are still quite active in Mummy's tummy. Please be strong, please be healthy. If you are ready to be out in this real world earlier than your expected time, don't worry, Mummy is here eagerly waiting for you. This week, Mummy & Tuk Mak has been busy buying all the remaining essential things for you. Your room ready, with all your clothes & cloth dipaers has been washed, hospital bags are all packed & ready to go.. now we are just waiting for your grand arrival to this world. :)

Lately, Mummy has been walking like a penguin, feeling aches & pains at the back and at the "bottom"areas, feeling hot & sweaty, getting heavier by the minute. Every time Mummy has to climb the stairs, I have to sing "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, because literally, it is a climb for me! I was advice to "rest" more instead being my active self. The past 8 months, mummy has been blessed with an easy pregnancy, but this last few weeks, Mummy has become slightly fragile, but it's okay sayang, it is all for you.

Mummy has been crying a lot lately thinking of you. Thinking whether are you still okay inside my tummy, thinking about the labour pain that I will encounter, thinking whether I will be a good mom to you.. it is really a life changing experience for me, and I hope you'll be a good baby and be patient with the change that mummy has to go through, okay? Daddy has been very supportive, always asking about you & mummy despite his hecticness at work. We are truly blessed to have him around Munckin. He is doing is level best to provide for us.

*Mummy wiping away the tears away. Ter-emo sekejap*

Okay Munckin, you take care in there kay. Hang in there, in less than 6 weeks you'll be in my arms. I've always enjoyed every moment of your movements in my tummy.. the kicking, the nudging, the somersaults.. Daddy & I can't wait to see you in person baby.. Mummy tak putus-putus doakan for your safe delivery and arrival in the pink of health nanti Insyallah. Whenever you're ready Munckin, pre-term or later, Mummy is here waiting for you. And not forgetting, I love you Munckin..."I knew I love you before I met you.." :)

Hugs & Kisses,
Mummy...

the drama of being 27..

Yes, it was my birthday yesterday.. Happy Birthday to me! :)
It was the first time I am celebrating my birthday as a wife & mom-to-be!
And I've got to tell you...there's a WHOLE DRAMA that happened on my birthday.

It started off slightly over midnight, I came back late from a dinner with Mai & Haz. I was watching TV when Mr Bert came next to me..

"Happy Birthday Meen" & passed me a birthday card & a Thomas Sabo minibag.

Btw, I already knew my birthday present a week earlier cause he made me choose, baju raya or Thomas Sabo. Last year he gave me the TS charm bracelet, so this year, I wanted a "charm".
And to my surprise, he gave me two! A pink butterfly charm (which I requested) and the letter 'M'- to represent Meen, Munir..and Munckin! :D

And also, getting a birthday card "For my wife" really touched me.


"I know I am not good at saying I love you or complimenting you as often as I should. But I hope you know that I am glad to be your husband & I love you more than words can say.."

*MELTS*

I seriously had tears in my eyes reading it, cause it was SO true!
He even wrote his personal message to me, which made me *melt* even more.
Like I said before, my husband is not good at "expressing" his feelings, but once he does it.. it is worth waiting for! :)


Since I have planned my leave from the 7th-17th, I spent (most of) the day lepaking at home.
I was online, looking at baby products, reading ppl's blog, planning my baby shower.. I didn't even have take the effort to wash the dishes or do laundry.


One of the topic of Red.FM's morning show last week was about this matter "What would you do on the first day of your leave?" And most feedback was "Sleep. Chill. Lepak. No chores. Nothing." And I did just that!


But of course, me who "can't sit still" decided to give myself a treat. A prenatal massage! I took the package deal *gulps!*, which includes the postnatal massage as well. It was very relaxing,and of course I ended up asleep while the lady massage me.


Mr Bert decided to treat me for berbuka at Ampang's famous "Yong Tau Foo" shop. It has been ages since we ate there, so we had a fulfilling berbuka indeed.


Now, here is when the drama begins. While waiting for terawih prayers, I was lying down watching TV. Initially, I kinna felt light headed before & after berbuka, that's why I needed to lie down. Then, suddenly I felt a gush of fluid running down in between my thighs. I rushed to the toilet, only to know my panties were already wet with clear fluids.


I quickly told Mr Bert "Please don't panic, but I think my water bag has burst..but there's no contractions.. and I am only 33 weeks pregnant. So how now?"

We decided to call my twin buddy, Dr Aliah, for some advice. She told us to rush to the panel clinic to get myself checked. She felt that I was not in labour, but it is good to know what was going on. Before we left for the clinic, I put on a panty liner, just in case.


So, we headed to the clinic..the doc did an ultrasound, Munckin was doing okay. He said since it was only 1 time, he told me to keep track on the leakage & only see my gynae if the symptoms persists. He also suggest that I should "bed rest" for the time being.


Before leaving the clinic, I felt the urge to pee. And this time, my entire panty liner had the clear fluid. Once I reached home, I quickly put on my overnight pad instead, cause I can feel the leakage of the fluid was quite heavy.


By Shahur time, my pad was already "drench" with the fluid. I told Mr Bert to take half day from work & bring me to see my doctor at the hospital. We were the first patient, and Dr Z checked on Munckin, who is still fine (Thank God). After the ultrasound, he took a "sample" from my vagina (a procedure that I loath the most..it hurts & stings! Ouchhh), and he confirmed the leakage & prescribed me with antibiotics for the next 5 days.


Doctor was quite concerned, he said that the cause of the leakage is unknown, but if the leakage does not stop in 2 weeks time (end of September), he would need to deliver Munckin at 35 weeks! If so, Munckin will be a premature baby.


I was quite down to hear that, but with a light of hope the antibiotics will help to minimize the leakage and will not lead for me for an early delivery . At the moment, Munckin's weight is estimated at 2.3kg at 33 weeks. In 2 weeks time, Munckin will still be quite tiny. I am quite scared, but pray to God for the best for myself & Munckin. Let's hope I will still deliver in October, and not anytime earlier.

So right now, I am supposed to minimize any outings with friends or for any school purposes. If I need to go anywhere, I MUST be accompanied by Mr Bert. Indirectly, I am grounded at home for the time being. Let's just hope things will get better from now.


On a brighter note, I will be going for my babymoon after all! :D
One of Mr Bert's client gave him a complimentary 1 night stay at..

We're off to Penang Baby!
Alhamdulillah..rezeki Munckin afterall..:) We'll be going on the weekend after raya.
Looking forward to our very first holiday..just us two (and Munckin in the tummy)! (^_^)

voucher shopping

Yesterday Mr Bert & I went to KLCC to shop with our vouchers.
First stop..Parkson!
Since we have more cash value in Parkson, we've decided to buy Munckin's stroller.
Wanted a McClaren's Triumph at first, but somehow Mr Bert wasn't too satisfied with the features. We decided to look at another brand, Chicco's Multiway, which has a variety of "extra" functions that he was pleased. So, we bought a red coloured one. (Will name the stroller Romeo Jr)
Since we have to top up a bit of cash, we managed to get another set of voucher worth RM40. So we bought Munckin's pillows & bolsters. Talk about value shopping! *yeay*

Soon after we headed of to Isetan. I've decided to buy something for myself this time.. Nursing Bras & Tops at Modern Mum. Unfortunately, there wasn't any suitable nursing tops for me, so I settled for the bras instead.. four of them! And, there was this maternity dress that was superbly nice! With beads & lace...so, I bought that for my baju raya! (This was not in the plan!!)

Initially, I wanted to buy my baju raya in Shah Alam.. something simple & cheap (haha), a "chafton" I thought cause it is the 'trend' nowadays. But, this baju fits me well.. and it's pretty too. So yeah, upon Mr Bert's approval, I bought it. So, the theme for raya this year is black & white!

So, if I add up all the items I bought today, I spent almost more than RM 1k! But, thanx to my voucher, I only had to fork out 1/4 of the amount! not bad huh? Alhamdulillah, rezeki Munckin (& mummy too).. Wish I have more vouchers to spend! tee hee..

*******************************

We decided to take the brand new stroller before leaving KLCC. The lady was nice enough to assemble the stroller, so all we need to do it to just push it to the car. We put all our shopping bags into the stroller, and Mr Bert pushed it all the way into the parking lot. It was a "practice" session...a sneak peak of bringing Munckin around in the stroller. (But obviously Munckin will be wayy heavier than the shopping bags!)

Once we reached our car, we got stuck.. Suddenly we forgot how to "close" the stroller. Press this, push that..nothing happens! *dang* Lucky thing Mr Bert was able to recall what the lady did, and managed to close the stroller in peace! *fyuhh*

Same thing goes when we arrived home. Since it is much easier to open up the stroller instead of "carrying" it around, it took us awhile to figure out how to open the stroller. Talk about first time encounters with strollers! I bet many first-time parents face this kind of problem, right y'all?

Once we reached home, I took the initiative to practice open/closing the stroller by myself. With a little bit of practice, it ain't that bad after all! Munckin, you better not make a fuss to be in the stroller. Mummy won't have the energy to carry you all the time! ;)

Munckin in 4D!

Yesterday, I had a sneak preview of Munckin.
Munckin in 4D!
Initially, my hospital doesn't have the facility to have the 4D scanning and require another specialist to come with the machine & such.
That person was available yesterday, and I was the 2nd mummy-2-be to see her.

She made a thorough analysis on Munckin.
Measurement of each anatomy, the bladder, the heart beat, the blood flow.
Alhamdulillah, Munckin is physically good.
No "jantung berlubang", No physical abnormality. Gender is confirmed. *bang bang*
And the best of all.. I could see Munckin's face!

Munckin's face was facing my tummy, indirectly kissing my tummy. So it was hard for the doc to scan the proper face.But after several attempts, she kinna managed. Munckin even did a pout & a smile for me. hehe..

Munckin kinna looks like me.. rounded face, chubby cheeks.. lips like Mr Bert.. but the nose, cause Munckin was kissing my tummy, so the nose is kinna "flat" on my tummy. So it might be muncung, or it might be kemek. hehe.. and the ears, it was quite distinguish.. same like daddy's ears! hehe.. I can't believe I can get to see my baby.. Masyallah.. Can't wait to see Munckin in person!

My mom & Emer accompanied me yesterday to the scanning. My mom was so impressed. "Masyallah Cucu Tuk Mak.." and Emer asked the doc "So, there is only one?" Him & his twins theory. But he was very happy to see his "Members"!

Munckin's current estimated weight is 2.1kg at 32 weeks. Initially Mr Bert was quite worried about the weight, saying that Munckin is so tiny. But according to my books & websites, the average weight for an American baby at 32 weeks is between 1.6-1.7 kg. Munckin is 0.5 kg heavier.. so, there is nothing to worry about, right? I think Munckin's weight is okay for now. Just as long Munckin is not too big for mummy to push nanti.

Oh Munckin, you are adorable.. less than 8 weeks now sayang, and I'll get to kiss your chubby cheeks! (^_^)

ps: Mr Bert has requested not to post Munckin's 4D picture until the delivery day. So no photos for this check up, sorry folks! ;)